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RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHAR #2392/01 3131503
ZNY CCCCC ZZH (CCY AD2A4813 MSI5231-695)
R 091503Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5703
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 002392
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY PARA FOUR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM GH
SUBJECT: NPP CANDIDATE CRITICIZES KUFUOR'S INFLUENCE OVER
CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS
Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In an October 31 meeting with POL Chief, New Patriotic
Party (NPP) presidential candidate Dan Botwe urged foreign donors to
provide more support to political parties, complaining that Ghana's strong
presidential system left other democratic institutions, including political
parties, parliament, and regional assemblies, dangerously weak. He
criticized the NPP's selection process, including efforts by President Kufuor
to influence the NPP's choice, and said some delegates have been bought off
to support favored individuals. He also warned that if the NPP selects an
Ashanti - the ethnic group of Kufuor and rumored Kufuor favourite Alan Kyerematen
- for the second straight time, the party will face a serious backlash from
non-Ashanti Ghanaians when it comes time to vote. END SUMMARY.
NPP Internal Dynamics
---------------------
¶2. (C) POL Chief met October 31 with NPP presidential candidate Dan
Botwe. Botwe served as Minister of Information under Kufuor until 2006,
when he was removed from his position in a cabinet shuffle, and served
earlier for two years as NPP General Secretary. He complained that the
candidate selection process for the NPP has been extremely expensive and
that the use of money in this process has created the perception among the
public that the NPP is corrupt. Botwe said there has been widespread
bribery of potential delegates and that this "epitomizes" the level of
corruption among the party's political leadership. Botwe said he worried
that this is causing serious disaffection among voters and is damaging
the party.
¶3. (SBU) Botwe also noted that the campaign has been very time consuming
and that many of the current candidates who were ministers began campaigning
for the nomination in 2005, and as a result neglected their government duties.
(NOTE: In early 2007, Kufuor forced all ministers who were planning to run
for president to resign their posts. END NOTE.) Botwe also said that some
former ministers had sponsored the elections of many constituency, regional
and national office holders, who now have a say in the NPP candidate selection.
¶4. (C) Botwe was highly critical of President Kufuor's involvement in the NPP
candidate selection process, commenting that if the NPP is to win the 2008
presidential race, Kufuor should refrain from attempting to influence the
process. He claimed Kufuor is financing the campaign of former Trade Minister
Alan Kyermaten through corruptly obtained funds, and that this effort is
undermining the NPP's internal democratic process. He said friction between the
party and the government is increasing ahead of the December 22 party conference
and will continue if Kufuor continues to openly support Kyermaten.
¶5. (C) According to Botwe, there is a strong sentiment among NPP activists that
the party should select a non-Ashanti. Electing another Ashanti to succeed Kufuor,
said Botwe, "will play into the hands of our opponents" and cause trouble for
the NPP in the general election. Botwe added that the dominance of the NPP by
Ashantis has been a major concern for non-Ashanti party members, and that the
party would be best served by selecting a non-Ashanti with strong party credentials
(implying that he has those qualities). Botwe himself is from the Guan ethnic
group in the Eastern Region.
NPP-NDC Tensions
----------------
¶6. (SBU) Commenting on the highly negative relationship between the NPP and
the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Botwe said
relations will remain polarized as long as former President Jerry Rawlings remains
influential in the NDC. He opined that Rawlings' role will diminish if the NDC
loses the election, paving the way for a more constructive relationship between
the NDC and NPP. However, he commented that the upcoming election would be
difficult for the NPP, and likely very close.
Botwe's strategy
----------------
¶7. (SBU) In his own campaign for the nomination, Botwe is focusing his attention
on NPP delegates who will determine the party's nominee. He contrasted that with
other candidates who are spending money on public relations and posters, targeted
toward members of the public who will have no say in the NPP's decision. Botwe
noted that he has strong support among party activists due to his credentials as
a long-time NPP insider and former two-term party General Secretary, going back to
his student days.
SIPDIS
¶8. (SBU) Botwe said the NPP needs to rekindle its basic values as a party,
including setting clear priorities that will translate into good government that
serves "ordinary Ghanaians." He noted that Ghana has had strong macroeconomic
performance under the NPP and has gained significant respect among its regional
and international partners, and that the next government must build on that legacy.
Governing Philosphy
-------------------
¶9. (SBU) Botwe said he was concerned that the strong executive presidency has
weakened the role of political parties and parliament. He prefers a parliamentary
system of government with strong parties, and called for increased foreign donor
support for Ghana's political parties. This will better check the executive, and
help combat patronage and corruption, as well as foster decentralization.
Botwe described Ghana's legislature as very weak and "sycophantic." Botwe added
that he favors greater decentralization of government power, and direct election of
District Chief Executives, which, he opined, would increase the effectiveness of
District Assemblies, foster greater grassroots activism, and combat patronage and
corruption.
Comment
-------
¶10. (C) Botwe's comments illustrate the growing perception in Ghana of significant
internal tensions within the NPP. His remarks on the possibility that the party
will again select an Ashanti are consistent with what we have heard from other
political observers, and suggest that internal NPP divisions could persist into the
2008 election year should the party select Kyermaten as its flagbearer at the
December party congress. Should these divisions continue, and remain in the
public eye, it will certainly strengthen the hand of Ghana's opposition.
END COMMENT.
BRIDGEWATER
