EC,EU sing MoU for Election '08

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday October 30, 2008
THE Electoral Commission (EC) and the European Union (EU) have signed a memorandum of understanding to ensure the conduct of a free, fair, transparent and credible election in December.

In the agreement the EU is expected to send an Electoral Observation Mission to monitor the forth coming election and also provide technical assistance to the EC and other domestic non-partisan observers to ensure a smooth conduct of the poll.

Signing the memorandum yesterday in Accra, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the E.C. in a brief remark underscored the need for election observers to complement the effort towards ensuring a transparent and credible electoral exercise.

He said “election observers give an objective assessment of every situation and we can rely on them to give that kind of judgement.”

He said the EU has a track record in election observation and hoped the observers coming would continue with their objectivity.

Mr Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi Head of the EU Delegation in Ghana who signed on behalf of the EU said about 60 observers will arrive in Ghana to monitor the situation.

“They will cover all the regions and I can assure you of their objectivity.”

He said the EU is following the situation in Ghana with keen interest adding “I know the EC has taken all the necessary steps to organise this election in a transparent manner.”

He said “we are confident that the measures taken by the EC are the right ones”.

Mr. Sebregondi called for political tolerance among the political parties and their supporters and urged the EC to always communicate its decisions to the parties to enhance the conduct of the election.

Mr Francis Hurtut, the French Ambassador who was present at the short ceremony said Ghana is a country that needs the support and encouragement from every other country especially the EU to succeed, saying “the election observation is to the honour of the country.”

NDC will not disturb the stability of nation

Prof. JEA Mills is the Prsidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress in Ghana


By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday October 29, 2008
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it left behind what it calls “a stable and peaceful nation” to the New Patriotic Party in 2001 and would not do anything to disturbs the stability of the country.

“The NDC presided over one of the most seamless and smoothest transfer of power from one party to another on African continent – a phenomenon clearly unknown to countries like Nigeria and Togo that have been the main sources of inspiration to the NPP in the sub region”, Fiifi Kwetey, the NDC propaganda Secretary said at a news conference in Accra yesterday.

Reacting to an earlier news conference by the ruling NPP that the NDC intends o introduce violence and force for power-sharing in the December election, Mr Kwetey said “the NDC had always demonstrated “incredible maturity” and restrained itself winner of the 2004 election”.

“Is it not ironic that the NPP, which nearly plunged our nation in chaos through that reckless and illegal act, is rather pointing fingers at the NDC, a party that considered the supreme interest of our nation and wisely held back from unleashing its millions of supporters onto the streets of Ghana?’, he asked.

He said the NDC is the only party that “acceded to virtually every electoral demand of the opposition especially after the 1992 election” adding “under the NPP, they have treated the views of opposition parties with contempt”.

Touching on violence, Mr Kwetey said “the NPP’s attempt to label the NDC as a violent party is a typical case of the black pot calling the kettle black”, adding ‘the most violent political grouping in the history of our country was and continues to be the NPP family”.

“Which political party in the current electioneering campaign has been engulfed in violence right from presidential primary through to the parliamentary primaries and beyond? The obvious answer is the NPP”.

He alleged that it was the NPP which pushed for a position that essentially amounted to power sharing after the 1992 election and could not turn around to accuse the NDC of pushing for power-sharing.

He appealed to the security agencies to be impartial during the period of election saying “the NDC urges members of the security agencies to remember that their foremost duty is to defend the state and people of Ghana”.

Mr Kwetey said the NDC will continue to focus on critical issues that are impeding the country’s development and dorm the new government to address them.

Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, NDC Deputy General Secretary in charge of operations during questions and answers said the inability of police deal effectively with culprits of political violence makes some people feel they are above the law.

Agbogbloshie violence...NPP, NDC play blame game

The flag of Ghana


By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, 25 October 2008
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on the security agencies to act “more forcefully” to prevent outbreak of violence at political events in the run-up to the December general election.

At a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Accra yesterday, Jake Okanta Obetsebi-Lamptey, campaign manager of the NPP, condemned the political violence that erupted at Agbogbloshie (Old Fadama) in Accra on Wednesday when the party’s flag-bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, campaigned in the area.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said, “There was a clash between NPP supporters who were there for a scheduled event and NDC members who had no business in the area at the time.

“What were the NDC members doing there when they did not have any scheduled programme there at the time?” he asked, adding, “It is clear that the NDC members were there with the sole aim of disrupting the NPP event.”

He said Nana Akufo-Addo had on several occasions demonstrated his commitment towards ensuring a peaceful election and his directive on Wednesday October 16, that all NPP supporters should vacate the premises of the Electoral Commission before the arrival of the NDC flag-bearer to file his nomination was a testimony of his commitment.

“That action by our candidate was a hallmark of leadership, and we expect all political leaders to act in a similar manner to minimise the political tension.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said what happened at Agbogboshie was not an isolated incident, but rather a “grand scheme hatched at the beginning of the year by the NDC leadership to disrupt this year’s election.”

He said: “They began by repeatedly invoking Kenya and Zimbabwe and stating fervently and longingly, that we are heading for a repeat of the experiences of those countries” adding “they have repeatedly accused the EC of being in cahoots with the NPP to rig the election without a shred of evidence.”

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey alleged that the NDC sent a delegation to Kenya to learn what he called “the art of how to force power-sharing after an election.”

He said that on the diplomatic front, the NDC had “recklessly spread the false news that this election is too close to call, and that if the NPP wins, there will be violence.”

Mr. Obestebi-Lamptey said it was the NPP’s position that anybody involved in political violence should be arrested and dealt with according to the laws of the land.

He said “The tendency to blame both the NPP and the NDC when one of them is clearly at fault encourages extremism on both sides,” adding, “we must call things by their proper names.”

Mr. Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Chairman, who supported Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, said it had always been the wish of the NPP to dialogue with the security agencies to formulate an action plan for peace but their opponents had not been able to join them in this quest.
“Signs of violence threaten our democracy and we must come together to flush out those who are formenting the violence” he said.

But in a sharp rebuttal, Mr. Seth Ofori, NDC’s Deputy Director of Communications, told the Times in a telephone interview that the NPP’s position on the Agbogboshie violence was completely false.

We did not organise any counter political event in the area at that particular time, but I can confirm that our supporters got attacked first.”

He said “the NPP supporters were around doing their kangaroo dance and our supporters who are traders in the area gestured yeresesamu,” and in the ensuring confusion they attacked us.

“We do not want to do anything to undermine the electoral process.
It is rather the NPP who are conducting violence and turn around to blame us he stated.

Mac Manu: Don't mind NDC...why lie if they aren't so desperate?

Mr Peter Mac Manu is the Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday October 23, 2008
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of engaging in what it calls “dirty propaganda to deceive the electorate to vote for them”

“In the last week, the NDC campaign of lies has reached new height. It appears that lies are the only weapons left for them. They are throwing mud at everybody and hoping that Ghanaians will believe something,” Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Chairman said yesterday.

Speaking at a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Accra to react to what it calls “NDC campaign of lies”, Mr. Mac Manu said “Ghanaians want a campaign that will address the important issues in their lives rather than insults and lies about opponents”.

He said currently there is a document in circulation by the NDC purporting to be minutes of an NPP meeting during which the ruling party laid out the details of how they (NPP) plan to rig the December poll in collaboration with the Electoral Commission.

“This document that the NDC is circulating has never been produced by the NPP. This allegation forms part of the NDC plan to discredit the EC and the country’s democratic process”.

“The NDC is doing this ahead of the election so that when they lose and the NPP wins, they can use that as a basis to contest the result on the streets but the plan will fail”.

Mr. Mac Manu said “the NPP does not need to rig elections to win. While in opposition, despite being outspent, intimidated and having an Electoral Commission whose membership had been determined by the NDC government, we won the 2000 election”.

He also said the NDC had been circulating a tract purporting to be a list of bank accounts of prominent NPP members at Prudential Bank and dismissed it as having “no basis in fact” and as “pure fabrication”.

“I am asking the Bank of Ghana and the Prudential Bank to formally investigate and expose the NDC lies for what they are.”

Mr. Mac Manu further dismissed rumors that some NPP members are going about purchasing voter registration cards saying “ when leaders of a national party like the NDC make it a deliberate policy to spread lies about others without regard for facts, they do our country great harm”.

He said the pro- NDC media allegation that President Kufuor owes some Kuwaitis billions of dollars “is so scandalous that the normally serene and forgiving President is threatening to go to court for redress if those allegations are not with drawn within tow weeks and the NPP fully support President Kufuor on this issue”

He also said the President Kufuor’s statement at a recent rally at Madina, Accra where he sought to find out who was leading the NDC campaign was taken out of contest by the NDC saying “the President made a harmless statement but because the NDC is desperate they are imputing all sorts of meanings to it”


On Nana Akufo- Addo’s news conference on Monday to analyze the global financial crisis, Mr. Mac Manu said “the NDC’s reaction to that news conference does not serve our country well. They are just crying wolf”.

Our Presidential candidate has stood up to be counted even when it was dangerous to do so. He has never posed as a President. He came to address issues of serious concern and that for me is an exhibition of his leadership qualities”.

He said the time has come for Ex-President Rawlings to render an unqualified apology to the people of the Central Region for allegedly suggesting that the NPP won the 2004 election in the region because President Kufuor bribed the people there”.

Akufo-Addo analyses global financial crisis...promises to position Ghana to withstand the shocks

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the Presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic |Party in Ghana


By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday October 21, 2008
THE Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has spoken extensively on the current global economic downturn or financial crisis and promised that the next NPP government would put in place appropriate strategies to withstand the shocks.

Speaking at a news conference in Accra yesterday. Nana Akufo-Addo said “although a series of positive, thoughtful interventions by the NPP government has helped us weather the storm here in Ghana better than most other African countries, there can be no doubt that these external problems may well put some damper on our outstanding achievements.”

Flanked by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia his running mate and other leading member of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo said “the upsurge of this new and more ferocious crisis at a time when we are managing to cope with effects of the food and fuel price increases must given real cause for concern.”

He said for instance that remittances from Ghanaians living abroad especially in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and other developed economies to their families back home in Ghana are likely to be affected due to the financial crisis that has hit those countries, citing Mexico as a country that had already started experiencing drops in its remittances from the US.

The NPP candidate explained “The treats to jobs and housing in the US, UK, Germany among others arising from the crisis is bound to hit at our compatriots leading to a probable decline in their remittances.”

“Moreover, given the evidence of history that commodity prices decline in periods of economic downturn in the developed world, there must be a real danger of decline in the prices of commodities that are critical to Ghana’s survival.”

Nana Akufo-Addo said “the challenges in the developed world today present us with an opportunity to ensure that our fledging mortgage and credit regime in general takes lessons from the recklessness of the global mortgate market.

He said “we should thus be determined by build here in Ghana the kind of responsible credit culture that can also secure our necessary push for the third world to the first.”

Speaking on the performance of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), the NPP candidate said “in the national interest, the achievements of the exchange and its potential should be widely publicised for those investors abroad who may be seeking alternative destinations for their investment funds.”

He said he had already made arrangements to bring together an expert panel to maintain liaison with the GSE, financial services and other institutions representing the business community, to monitor the emerging challenges.

He said the experts would also review wide range of policies and fashions out an appropriate input in the inevitable dialogue on the world economic system in the aftermath of the crisis.

The country needs reassurance of a proactive leadership in these critical times. We cannot sit down and wait to be overwhelmed by problems. We need to be proactive in anticipating and responding, appropriately and in due time to challenges as they loom on the horizon.”

Prof. Mills can lead Ghana better - Fiifi Kwetey

Prof John Evans Atta Mills is the Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, the leading opposition party in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday October 21 2008
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Candidate Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and the party “have the pedigree to provide the critical infrastructural needs to boost the socio-economic development of the country better than the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)”.
They also contended that the NDC is the only party that has “a proven track record to lead Ghana in the right direction”.
At a news conference in Accra yesterday to throw more light on the party’s manifesto, Fiifi Kwetey, NDC propaganda secretary said “ We would prove to Ghanaians that the fight against corruption, cocaine and its attendant crime boom can best be dealt with by the Prof. Mills-led NDC rather than a Nana Akufo- Addo-led government”.
He said “Our promises are credible because we have as candidate, a man who is a shining icon of incorruptibility, honor and sincerity”.
Mr. Kwetey said unlike the NPP, the NDC will deliver its promises saying “we have over the years shown that we do not speak much but deliver a lot”.
In the area of education, he said the NDC’s record was very impressive even though they worked with serious resources constraints.
“Conversely, in spite of the huge resources that have flown into the hands of the NPP, they have shown mediocre in their performance-they have scored several Zeros and been abysmal in their overall performance”, he elaborated.
He said the NPP has resorted to two what he calls “Plain deception and are without any shame lying that the insignificant 25 pesewas a month capitation grant has made education at the basic level free”.
“They are misleading Ghanaians that they are feeding and transporting freely large numbers of school children” he added.
“To add insult to injury, this government that has performed so abysmally is now making fun of Ghanaians by promising free education at the secondary level, when they have not even scratched the surface at the basic level”.
Touching on health, Mr. Kwetey said “Prof. Mills and the NDC successfully piloted the National Health Insurance Scheme much against the vehement opposition mounted by the NPP at the time”.
“In our 2000 manifesto, while the NPP was still staunchly opposed to the NHIS, we had clearly stated how the health insurance would be a major strategy for mobilizing additional resources and for ensuring financial asses”, he disclosed.
On energy, Mr. Kwetey said “the crises which hit the country last year helped the people to realise the incompetence and lack of fore-sight of the NPP”.
He claimed the ruling party has to wait seven years for the crises to hit the people before realizing the need to start taking steps to address the critical energy needs of the people. Adding “even as we speak, we can not say emphatically that the power crises is over”.
He said the NDC under the leadership of Prof. Mills “is ready to form the next government and stop the moving forward of economic suffering.

DFP launches manifesto, introduces running mate...promises to turn thrash to cash

Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi is the Democratic Freedom Party's presidential candidate for the December election in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday October 20, 2008
The Democratic Freedom Party yesterday launched its manifesto with a promise to use what it calls “zero waste” to solve the sanitation issues of the country.
“We would introduce a system called ‘thrash to cash’ and do not be surprise when your neighbour steals your rubbish under a DFP administration because it will be as good as money,” Emmanuel Amah-Antwi, DFP presidential candidate said.
They also used the occasion to formally introduce Patience Ami Ameku, a former District Chief Executive for Kadjebi (1988-1993) as the running mate of the party’s flag-bearer Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi for the December poll.
At the launch of the manifesto at the DFP headquarters at North-Kaneshie in Accra, Mr Ansah-Antwi said “this is our time to make a significant difference in the lives of our people as we cannot continue to defer the developmental challenges and needs of the people to the next generation”.
“We need to turn the page on the policies and programmes of the past and bring fresh ideas to give new direction to the country we all loved.”
He said “in the area of agriculture we have indicated clearly and practically, how we can increase production, leading to an increase in the income of farmers and ultimately leading to an improvement in their welfare and living conditions”.
Mr Ansah-Antwi said elsewhere, other countries prioritized agriculture to develop their economies saying “we can do it here, provided we adopt the right policies”.
“We believe the phenomenal increase in cocoa production has largely been due to subsidies and support, provided to that sector in a variety of ways including the application of fertilizers and other chemicals.
“The DFP will use the ‘Green Revolution’ to develop the rural areas and the cascading effect of this strategy is its developmental linkages to urban planning and development and the overall development of the country.”
He promised the DFP’s resolve to pursue information communication Technology by establishing what he called a national data-base to ensure an accelerated and integrated approach to governance.
Introducing Mrs Ameku as his running mate, the DFP Presidential Candidate said “the DFP believes that women have a role to play in the development of the country. We have to support them to get to the national front”.
“The problems of the country persist because we have excluded the women in our political discourse.”
In her acceptance speech, the DFP running mate said “the DFP is part of the crusade to place women at higher levels”.
She said the DFP has demonstrated that it knows the concerns and aspirations of the people saying “we have a genuine vision to help solve most of the problems of the country.
Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, the life Patron of the DFP said the party is in the race to change the culture of politics by deepening good governance.
He said a DFP administration would promote political tolerance and strengthen institutions to fight corsuption.
He said the party which is well organised is going to emerge victorious in the December poll saying “organisation would determine everything and not noise making as we are witnessing in nowadays”.
He urged the parliamentary aspirants of the DFP to explain the party’s manifesto to the electorate saying “Go to the grassroots and canvass them”.
Bede Ziedeng, General Secretary of the party who explained how the DFP intends to bridge the developmental gap between the northern and southern part of the country said “we will empower farmers up north in the same way that the counterparts down south have received from cocoa production.

Nduom enters the NDC World Bank

Dr Nduom is the Presidential candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP) in Ghana


By William Yaw Owusu

Monday October 20, 2008
THE flag-bearer of the Convention People’s Party (NPP) Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom is to embark on a campaign tour of the Volta Region to sell his message to the electorate.
“This is the fourth time since January that I am touring the region to sell the CPP’s message of “change you can feel in your pocket to the people there”, Dr said in an interview with the Times shortly after filing his nomination at the Electoral Commission in Accra on Thursday.
He said he will campaign at Keta, Anlo, Ketu North and Avenor constituencies and added “ I am determined to lead the CPP to break the hold the NDC has on the region since 1992”.
Dr Nduom said “if the Volta Region is a bank and it gives out loans to one particular group of customers and they do not return the funds or pay interest, the bank needs to find new, paying customers or risk going bankrupt”.
He said “the CPP will ask the people to make the party the new customer for the Volta Region voters Bank”.
He said he was optimistic the CPP will make inroads and win some seats in the December poll.
“We will continue to stress that job creation is the main issue facing the region and Edwumawura is in a position to help solve such issues”.
He also said the CPP is promising to establish a first class university the region and upgrade the Ho Polytechnic to become a high grade institute of technology.

Nominations Begin

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday, 16 October 2008
The filing of nomination by aspiring Presidential candidates to contest the December 7 general election commences today.
Seven political parties and three independent aspirants had reportedly picked nomination forms to contest the poll by press time yesterday.
The parties are the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD), the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and the Convention People’s party (CPP).
The others are the New Vision Party (NVP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP).
The independent aspirants include Kwasi Amoafo-Yeboah, Alex Hamah and Richard Nixon Tetteh.
The NPP, NDC and the CPP have all confirmed that they will be filing their nominations by close of today.
Christian Owusu-Parry, the Public Relations Officer of the Electoral Commission (EC) told the Times that all was set for the aspirants “to come and file their nomination”.
Contrary to speculations that Mr. Dan Lartey of the GCPP may not be allowed to contest because the EC had not recognised the party’s national executives, Mr Owusu-Parry said the veteran politician had picked his form and did not have problem with him.
He explained that there is a difference between how flag-bearers and national executives are selected.
“In the case of the GCPP, we have made it clear that we do not recognise the executive.”
Mr. Lartey told the Times on telephone yesterday that he would file his nomination by Friday and make public his running mate.
“If you want to know who my running mate will be then come to the premises of the EC on Friday to know more.
“I do not make public my running mate because the media wants me to do so. The GCPP is working according

PNC bemoans lack of youth dev't

Dr Edward Mahama is the Presidential candidate of the People's National Convention in Ghana


By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday October 9, 2008
THE People’s National Convention (PNC) has bemoaned the rate at which some political parties and leaders are taking advantage over what it calls “the vulnerability of the youth to exploit them”.

“It is rumoured that some political parties are buying arms for their trouble from which they stand to benefit. As to how true this is, I cannot say with certainty but nonetheless, it exposes the extent to which our youth have been reduced to objects of destruction when indeed, they should be the agents of development”.

Atik Mohammed, Youth Coordinator of the PNC Campaign said this at a news conference in Accra yesterday./

The news conference was aimed at soliciting the support of the youth particularly students for the PNC campaign led by its flag-bearer Dr Edward N. Mahama.

Mr Mohammed said “there is no denying fact that, in many of the conflicts with political overtones, it is always the youth who are used to forment the troubles and consequently are those who suffer more the brunt of these conflicts”.

He said currently, students throughout the country, face various problems which sometimes offended smooth studies saying “paramount among these is the fact that increasingly, education in our tertiary institutions which ought to be a right is gravitating towards becoming a privilege”.

Mr Mohammed further said that the National Youth Employment Programme introduced by the ruling New Patriotic Party government “cannot answer in definite terms the unemployment challenge in the country”.

He said the NYEP lacks what he called “the basics of a proper job namely: security of job, structured salary scheme and the jobs do not in any way contribute to increased productivity”.

“This programme could best be described as a desperate measure to respond to the growing cry over youth unemployment in the country by the NPP”.

He further bemoaned graduate unemployment saying “students who move often than less are refereed to us the future leaders of this country, suffer some humiliating challenges in their bid to make a living”.

The PNC youth coordinator said when they form the next government, the PNC will introduce a comprehensive guideline as reflected in their manifesto to ensure the accelerated development of the youth.

On the ‘Nkrumahism’, the ideologies of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s First President, the PNC youth coordinator said “Dr Mahama is the only presidential candidate who posses the qualities of the Osagyefo”.

He said “I can tell you with authority that Dr Mahama is only true Nkrumahist in this year’s Presidential contest”.

He urged the electorate support the PNC for a resounding victory in the December poll saying “from CPP under Osagyefo to PNP and PNC under Dr Hilla Limann and to Dr Mahama, at no point did we offend the peace and tranquility of this our beloved country”.

Sekou is ignorant ... you can't equate Rawlings with Dr Nkrumah - Dr Nduom

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday October 8, 2008
DR Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has reacted angrily to claims by Sekou Nkrumah, son of Ghana’s first President that the late Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Ex-President J.J. Rawlings shares similar ideology.

Sekou on Sunday was quoted as saying that “the ideology of Ex-President Rawlings, founder of the National Democratic Congress is similar to that of what my father stood for: that is justice, transparency and fairness”.

He justified the 1979 coup and also said the vision of the NDC is like that of his father’s CPP adding that he was of strong conviction that in the nearby future the NDC and CPP would merge because their ideology were the same.

Reacting in a telephone interview from the Ashanti Region where he is currently on a campaign tour, Dr Nduom said “there is only one CPP and no amount of trying to dignify the unjustifiable can make CPP and NDC one”.

“This is not possible. You cannot by any stretch of imagination equate the CPP with the NDC or Dr Nkrumah with Ex-President Rawlings”.

Dr Nduom said “I find it unfortunate that Sekou will try to do what he cannot do. If he has decided to join the NDC let him just stay there and extol the virtues of the NDC”.

He continued: “Sekou must not attempt or try to bring the CPP and NDC together because it is not something within his scope of opportunity”.

The CPP flag-bearer said “I do not have any quarrel with Sekou joining the NDC. That is his democratic right but he cannot say what he does not know”.

He further said “ he should not try to confuse himself in trying to suggest that the CPP and NDC are walking along the same path”.

Asked why it was not possible for the CPP and the NDC to come together, “Dr Nduom said “those who are coup makers cannot be glorified in Ghana. It is because of the instability they brought that is why we are still suffering as a country”.

He said “the CPP is different from the NDC and our ideologies are incompatible. The CPP came to build but the NDC came to sell every things we toiled to build”.

“Sekou should leave the CPP alone but if he decides to join us like his sister Samia did, that will be his choice.”

He commended Samia Nkrumah for exhibiting political maturity saying “she has not said anything against her brother as her brother has chosen to do”.

Sekou is ignorant ... you can't equate Rawlings with Dr Nkrumah - Dr Nduom

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday October 8, 2008
DR Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has reacted angrily to claims by Sekou Nkrumah, son of Ghana’s first President that the late Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Ex-President J.J. Rawlings shares similar ideology.

Sekou on Sunday was quoted as saying that “the ideology of Ex-President Rawlings, founder of the National Democratic Congress is similar to that of what my father stood for: that is justice, transparency and fairness”.

He justified the 1979 coup and also said the vision of the NDC is like that of his father’s CPP adding that he was of strong conviction that in the nearby future the NDC and CPP would merge because their ideology were the same.

Reacting in a telephone interview from the Ashanti Region where he is currently on a campaign tour, Dr Nduom said “there is only one CPP and no amount of trying to dignify the unjustifiable can make CPP and NDC one”.

“This is not possible. You cannot by any stretch of imagination equate the CPP with the NDC or Dr Nkrumah with Ex-President Rawlings”.

Dr Nduom said “I find it unfortunate that Sekou will try to do what he cannot do. If he has decided to join the NDC let him just stay there and extol the virtues of the NDC”.

He continued: “Sekou must not attempt or try to bring the CPP and NDC together because it is not something within his scope of opportunity”.

The CPP flag-bearer said “I do not have any quarrel with Sekou joining the NDC. That is his democratic right but he cannot say what he does not know”.

He further said “ he should not try to confuse himself in trying to suggest that the CPP and NDC are walking along the same path”.

Asked why it was not possible for the CPP and the NDC to come together, “Dr Nduom said “those who are coup makers cannot be glorified in Ghana. It is because of the instability they brought that is why we are still suffering as a country”.

He said “the CPP is different from the NDC and our ideologies are incompatible. The CPP came to build but the NDC came to sell every things we toiled to build”.

“Sekou should leave the CPP alone but if he decides to join us like his sister Samia did, that will be his choice.”

He commended Samia Nkrumah for exhibiting political maturity saying “she has not said anything against her brother as her brother has chosen to do”.

NDC outdoors manifesto

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday October 6, 2008
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday launched its manifesto for the December elections with a promise to reform key institutions for accelerated growth.

Before an enthusiastic large crowd who thronged the Round Pavillion of the Ghana International Trade Fair Site at La, Accra, the manifesto which was based on four thematic areas was launched by the NDC’s Flag-bearer, Professor John Atta Mills.

A early as 7 am thousands of supporters clad in Party colours and other paraphernalia, thronged the venue for the event amid jubilation, singing dancing and chanting of party slogans.

People also took advantage of the situation to do brisk business by selling the party’s paraphernalia outside the venue.

The event got underway at about 10”30 am with exciting poetry recitals, singing of local hymns, as well as traditional` drumming and dancing.

Leaders of the party took turns to address the enthusiastic crowd, but it was Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu who was once touted as Pro Mills’ running mate who electrified the already charged atmosphere when she took the microphone to speak on NDC’s agenda for ‘Good Governance’

Mr John Drmani Mahama, running mate to the flag-beaer, arrived at 11:03 am, then the Former President J.J. Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings closely followed by the flag-bearer Professor John Evans Atta Mills at 11:14 am, all to a tumultuous welcome.

They all responded with the “Yerese-samu” sign (meaning “we are changing things”)

The manifesto titled a “A better Ghana”, four thematic areas – governance, improve the economy, invest in people, and infrastructure growth.

Launching it, Prof. Mills said the NDC’s manifesto reflects the wishes, hopes and aspirations of the people, saying “where ever we have been to, the people are yearning for real change”

He said, “Ghana is distressed. It is heading in a wrong direction. We are moving backwards, and we have no sense of direction,” he stressed.

“Currently, there is increase in social exclusion and the nation has lost its sense of morality, and cannot distinguish between right and wrong “, he said adding, “our country is on the verge of a multifaceted crisis”.

Prof Mills said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had exhibited what he called “incompetence, parochialism and indulged in systemic corruption”.

He said “they harassed us and always wanted to paint us with criminality. Tsatsu Tsikata predicament is a testimony of the sort of harassment unleashed on us”.

Prof. Mills said “when the NDC forms the next government we will use people who are not vindictive but are God-fearing, and work with commitment to lead this country.

“We need a government that tells the truth at all times, worships humility and eschews arrogance, and the NDC has offered itself to do this for the people of Ghana”.

He said in the first 100 days in office, an NDC government led by himself “will effectively tackle profligacy and ostentation, rationalize ministries and ministerial appointments to reflect humility”.

The NDC flag-bearer also promised to review structures in institutions charged for protecting human rights and also tackle sanitation.

“We would want to be remembered as the government which was not vindictive and clamped down heavily on narcotic drugs trade. We will stand fearlessly for honesty”, he declared.

Prof. Mills commended ex-President Rawlings for his contribution towards the development of the country and the party, and praised the foot soldiers for “staying with us through thick and thin”.

Immediately Prof. Mills completed his speech and was retiring to his seat, the former President invited him back to the podium and said “that was one of the finest speeches we have heard. I acknowledge what a great man he is”.

Before Prof. Mills spoke, several other leaders had thrown light of the thematic areas in the manifesto.

John Mahama, who introduced Prof. Mills, said the NDC manifesto is “focused, achievable, realistic and people based”.

He said: “the NDC will unleash a major assault on poverty, set up a committee to monitor our campaign promises and make the committee’s reports public.”

Mr Mahama also said an NDC government would review the law that established the serious Fraud Office to make it an independent investigative body, as well as review the Assets Declaration Law.

Mrs Iddrisu, for her part, said among other things that next NDC administration would have the capacity to fight corruption and narcotics drugs trade.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, NDC Chairman, said “the NDC is going to make Ghana a safe and better place for the people”, adding “we enlist the support of the media for a legitimate change of government in the December election”.

Hannah Tetteh, Director of Communications of the NDC, said “this is a practical plan to achieve results within four years.”

Other speakers at the launch included Haruna Iddrisu, National Youth Organiser, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, running mate in the 2004 elections and Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament.

There rest were Christine Amoako-Nuamah, a former Minister, Steve Akuffo, a former Deputy Minister, and Dr Opuni a member of the party.