CLARITY AND SIMPLICITY WINS THE DAY FOR NDOUM

>>>> IN A COMPETITIVE DEBATE Many people around the world world see Ghana as a ripe democracy despite its many flaws and shortcomings. this was shown when a debate was organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs for four of the 8 presidential candidates who have filed to contest the upcoming elections Even though most commentators have dismissed it as something less than a "Debate" The stage was all set for the four presidential candidates to do verbal battle. A lot was expected from them , particularly , the assumed front runners Akuffo Addo and Atta Mills. However the debate was set up in a way that some had everything to lose and others have everything to gain. Paa Kwesi Ndoum was in a special position

A DIFFICULT OUTCOME OF CPP CONGRESS

As Kwesi Ndoum Secures flagbearership Slot

The historic CPP congress which took place at The KNUST campus over the weekend threw up a lot of challenges to the members of the CPP nationwide who were full of optimism about the fortunes of the party. As expected the crucial race of flagbearership was a straight fight between Paa Kwesi Ndoum a former Partner of Deloitte an Acoounting Consultancy, and an active member of the Kuffour administration; and Proffessor Badu Akosah a pathologist and a former Head of the Ghana Health Service.

After a very competitive and uplifting congress Paa kwesi was declared the winner with 53% of the delegate vote.In addition members of Paa Kwesi's team swept the board in other positions of executive power with the party. Mr. Nadi Nylander was elected Chairman, Kwamena Greenstreet as general secreatary and Alamisi and Organiser.This was an emphatic statement by the delegates.

Paa is a qualified person who has better visibility and national recognition coupled with a lifetime of achievement and success. He is also well endowed to finance a well oiled campaign.

However the choice has led some CPP to members scratching their heads. The popular choice outside the conference room was Prof AKosa. I was included in this consensus.The track record of Paa Kwesi's commitment to the CPP is really patchy and many people in the middle and tired of the NPP Administration are also frustrated by the choice because of the association of Kwesi with the NPP over the years. He does not represent the fresh start that people are clamouring for.Some CPP activist even go as far as calling him an NPP mole who will sell the party to the string pullers of the NPP. Some alleged that his campaign which was by far the most expensive was financed by the NPP.

For me, my opinion is a little bit more complex than just a disaster.

First i see Ndoum as sellable more than he can be credited for. However his act of political suicide of deciding to campaign against the CPP Flag bearer in the 2004 general elections is going to stack against him heavily.Also his long association with the NPP could be both harmful and beneficial depending on how it is used by both Friends and foes.But the very fact that i see Ndoum to an ambitious man assures me somewhat that he will fight the election fiercely.

The outcome of this watershed CPP congress has thrown up a lot of questions than answers for the future of the CPP.

The CPP knows it is not going to win this electtion, however most CPP activist are hoping this will be the beggining of good things for this sleeping giant of Ghanain politics