NDUOM BLAMES AKOSA, OTHERS

Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom is the flag-bearer of the Convention Peoples Party formed by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's First President


By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, 18 June 2008
THE Nduom for President Campaign Team, has accused some of the contenders who lost the CPP flag-bearership contest to Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, of undermining his efforts as leader of the Convention Peoples’ Party to win the December poll.

"In recent times, members such as Lucy Ennin and F.A. Jantuah have publicly asked Dr Nduom to clear his name on the Serious Fraud Office report, but I can tell you that it is a case of selfish politicians who failed to win important positions in the party that are behind them," David Ampofo, spokesman for the campaign team, said in answer to questions raised at a news conference in Accra yesterday.

The campaign team was reacting to growing calls for Dr Nduom to go to court and purge himself of allegations levelled against him in the SFO report.

Mr Ampofo said he has information that, leading members such as Professor Agyeman Badu Akosah, Mr Bright Akwetey, both presidential aspirants, who lost, and other former executives of the party, are behind the "shameless and dangerous game of dragging the name of Dr Nduom in the mud".

For instance, he said, when Ms Ennin held her news conference to call on the party to take up the matter, certain leading members were present, adding, "We call on the chairman of the party to enforce discipline within our organisation".

He said: "Dr Nduom does not owe anyone a duty to go to court for any reason. He has not committed any crime against the state. He who alleges must prove the allegation."

Mr Ampofo said "for whatever reason, a review of the State Enterprises Commission unfortunately turned into a review of Dr Nduom’s activities and financial and investment interests in Ghana".

He said Parliament which has the powers of a High Court when presented with the report, felt satisfied with the evidence provided by Dr Nduom and subsequently cleared him to become a Minister of State.

"Dr Nduom has ample evidence of taxes paid on income earned by him over the years. We are satisfied that Dr Nduom has done what is humanely possible to take care of his obligations to the state."

A statement read earlier by Mr Felix Amoah, chairman of the ‘Dr Nduom for President Campaign Team said: "We must make it clear that in this matter, our quarrel is not with the NDC, the NPP or the SFO. It is rather with the small number of people who are bent on destroying what many have worked hard to build – a new vibrant and credible CPP that is independent of the other political parties."

"This is not a case of seeking the truth, wanting Dr Nduom to clear his name, or protecting the great CPP. This is a case of selfish politicians who failed at congress to win important positions in the party."

The statement said Dr Nduom’s detractors presented the same report to the National Executive Council at the congress and were told that they had no case, and congress went ahead to overwhelmingly endorse him as the flag-bearer.

Mr Amoah said the credible message of "change you can feel in your pocket", being embarked upon by Dr Nduom is going down well with the electorate, adding that "we will not be distracted by the important task on hand".

Attempts to reach Prof. Akosa on phone proved futile, but when the Times got in touch with Mr Akwetey, he said: "I would like to read the statement in the media before I can react to it appropriately".