Anna Bossman to partner Nduom?

INFORMATION picked up by The Chronicle indicates that the running mate for the flag bearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum has been narrowed down to two prominent individuals. Apart from the fact that the Central Committee of the CPP met last Friday and have resolved to officially write to Dr. Edward N. Mahama, the leader and flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC), this paper can report that the latest kid on the block is Ms. Anna Bossman, the acting Commissioner of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Impeccable sources close to the flag bearer of the CPP, Dr. Ndoum, told this paper that informal discussions were held between Ms Anna Bossman and representatives of Dr. Ndoum, and there are indications that she is the possible choice to partner Dr. Ndoum for the 2008 general elections.

According to party insiders, though the leadership of the party had as at last Friday resolved to officially write to Dr. Mahama, who is also a leader of the People National Convention (PNC), the campaign team of Dr. Ndoum has gone beyond that to rope in the CHRAJ boss.

This paper can report that the latest move to woo the CHRAJ boss was as a result of some misgivings expressed by some members of the CPP and that of die-hard Nkrumaihsts about the choice of Dr. Mahama.

At the Central Committee meeting at the party's headquarters last Friday, varied opinions were expressed on the choice of Dr. Edward N. Mahama, but majority of the members agreed that though the selection of the running mate lied in the hands of the flag bearer, the choice of Dr. Mahama would help the fortunes of the CPP.

Prior to the meeting, this paper gathered that there were informal discussions between the two flag bearers on various occasions all in an attempt to bring the Nkrumahist parties together.

At Friday's meeting of which Dr. Ndoum was also in attendance, a correspondence was to be communicated to Dr. Mahama through the party's general secretary, Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet.

In a further move to consolidate the party, the campaign team of Dr. Ndoum, which has the mandate to select and nominate the running mate after consultations, seems to have a soft spot for a woman running mate hence they have made the move to 'court' the CHRAJ boss in a bid to balance the gender equation.

According to a loyalist of Dr. Ndoum, the discussions between Annan Bossman and the CPP flag bearer was very fruitful considering the fact that the woman has a balanced tribal and ethnic background.

"Although, it is the wish of the CPP leadership to accept Dr. Edward Mahama, some forces are strongly working against him while the campaign team of Dr. Ndoum is also seriously working hard to woo the CHRAJ Boss, who has the pedigree, caliber, capacity and a balanced tribal and ethnic background," a source told this reporter.

With barely few months for the political parties to go to the polls, it is only Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who had selected his running mate in the person of Hon. John Dramani Mahama, the Bole-Bamboi legislator. John has since been working for the NDC and has represented the flag bearer at an energy seminar organized by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the flag bearer of the NPP is also yet to pick his running mate. The campaign team of Akufo-Addo says the partner would be announced by the end of August.

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Alan 'remarries' NPP?

The end to the Alan Kyerematen resignation debacle which hit the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is almost in sight as the aggrieved runner-up in the party’s December 22, 2007 congress agrees to sheath his sword and cooperate with a committee empanelled yesterday to study his concerns.

This latest development is a sequel to last Sunday’s President John Agyekum Kufuor-brokered meeting and dinner with the trio of Mr. Kyerematen; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP presidential candidate; and Peter Mac Manu, party National Chairman; over the sore subject.

The Sunday meeting was a follow-up to a similar one on Friday between the President, Alan and Nana Addo at the Castle, where the setting up of the committee was agreed in principle.

The meetings, the first intervention by the President in the subject which has topped the local political chart for close to two weeks now, appear to have broken the jinx which featured in the internal NPP feud.

Shrouded in confidentiality, the names of the 5-member committee is under wraps, as curious media personnel scout abortively for details about it.

The committee whose terms of reference is to receive in writing the concerns of the aggrieved Mr. Kyerematen and make appropriate recommendations on same, was inaugurated at an undisclosed location yesterday, an indication that proceedings from the engagement would as much as possible be kept away from the prying eyes of the media.

Alan, whose body language spoke volumes about his willingness to rescind his decision and return to the fold of the NPP during Sunday’s engagement with top party leaders at the President’s Airport West residence, was tasked to submit his concerns in writing, which until now, have remained verbal and seemingly uncoordinated.

He was asked to give specific instances where his supporters were subjected to intimidation and alienation instead of general comments.

In order for the committee to discharge its terms of reference adequately by dealing with the man at the centre of the row as a member of the NPP, Mr. Kyerematen was asked to withdraw his correspondence of resignation forthwith to pave way for fruitful dialogue.

The explanation for this was that his concerns cannot be legally considered when in reality he has opted out of its fold with his resignation which took immediate effect from the day the letter was submitted to party chairman Mac Manu.

In the absence of this, he would have had to re-apply for membership so his worries can be studied as a man belonging to the fold of the NPP, a procedure that would take more time to comply.

Yesterday’s developments differed from previous botched attempts at getting Alan to rescind his decision when he for instance promised to cooperate with the committee and to tackle the tasks bestowed on him to facilitate the work of the probe.

Pundits have predicted that Alan, former Trade and Industry Minister, from the seeming positive signs on the ground, will in the next few days re-join the Nana Akufo-Addo campaign in the scheduled Volta and Western Region tours, especially since he did not object to any of the tasks bestowed on him by the top party persons who engaged him for the marathon dialogue.

Mr. Kyerematen, fondly called Alan Cash evoked mixed reactions when he announced his resignation from the NPP two weeks ago citing harassment of his supporters in the party.

The man who came second in the race to lead the NPP in the forthcoming presidential poll was persuaded to return to the party to no avail, as he said there was no going back on his decision.

The founding chairman of the NPP, B.J. da Rocha, who was tasked with mediating in the impasse, frustrated and embittered by Alan’s media announcement that there was no going back when according to him both of them were still engaged in negotiations and had agreed not to make any public announcement on the issue, described the former Trade Minister’s action as a bluff.

Alan, he said in a statement last Friday, should be allowed to go and return no more, because according to him, he is a loose cannon whose activities could be inimical to the interests of the NPP.

A­ccording to Mr. da Rocha the concerns of Alan when juxtaposed against those of others within the party who too have grievances but have not taken the exit route, is infinitesimal.

Questioning the loyalty of Alan to the party, he stated that the NPP should not concentrate on the concerns of one man when the task of winning an election is staring the political grouping in the face.

Mr. da Rocha’s robust statement coincided with another from the Presidency, signed by Ambassador D.K. Osei last Friday.

The correspondence from the Presidency asked all stakeholders and party supporters to remain calm as a way out was being sought to the concerns of Mr. Alan Kyerematen.

The Presidency also asked that nothing should be done to inflame passions as regards the Alan issue.

Source: Daily Guide

Patron of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP)

Dr. Obed Asamoah, Patron of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), has suggested to the constituency executives of the party to try as much as possible to adopt the concept and principle of consensus building to elect members of parliament for their constituencies.

He said the concept was to prevent disputes among the rank and file of the executives and supporters in the constituencies and promote unity and harmony at the grassroots levels to canvas for more votes for the party in the 2008 elections.

Dr. Asamoah made the suggestion at a meeting with regional and constituency executives of the DFP in Wa after a two tour of the region, organizing party structures and also to introduce the presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Emmanuel Ansah Atwi to the executives.

He said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was desperate for power and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was also afraid of victimization and this was why the DFP was formed to arrest the situation and bring a lasting peace to Ghanaians.

He therefore appealed to women and the youth not to feel intimidated or afraid of the risk of politics, but to come forward and embrace the DFP to change the culture of politics of lies, vilification and half-truths in the country.

The DFP would give more leadership roles to women and the youth to unearth their potentials, if given the mandate to rule the country in the December 7 general elections.

Dr. Asamoah advised supporters of the DFP to talk on issues, values, policies and programmes and avoid following the habits of bad politics, pointing out that politics must respect religious values, principles, actions and attitudes.

On the agriculture, Dr. Asamoah said poverty was high among many farmers and gave the assurance that the DFP, if voted into power, would tackle the problem through the provision of subsidies on agricultural inputs as well as finding of markets for their produce.

He lamented that Ghana depended on imports to sustain its people due to over liberalisation of the market, resulting in the collapse of local industries and creating high unemployment in the country.

The DFP would embark on an “agricultural revolution” that would make farming attractive for the people and produce more to feed the nation and for export.

Mr Ansah Atwi, presidential candidate of the DFP, said the approach adopted by the NDC and NPP administrations to eradicate poverty had been wrong.

He said both parties had done lip service to the agriculture sector, which had been identified as the mainstay of the country's economy

He said the DFP would introduce a green revolution on agriculture to eradicate poverty through the construction of dams and subsidising agricultural inputs

The DFP administration would also use the Agricultural Development Bank and rural banks to register farmers to benefit from government credit support to increase food production.

Mr Ansah Atwi noted however that for Ghanaians to benefit from the good policies and programmes of the DFP, there was the need for the maintenance of peace in the country, especially during this electioneering year.

He appealed to all political parties to preach peace to the people during their campaigns to ensure that the December 7 elections were violent free.

Source: GNA

Kufuor meets Alan & Nana Addo

President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday held a three-hour meeting with the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mr. Alan Kyerematen, runner-up in the flagbearership race.

The latter’s recent resignation from the ruling party, which received massive media coverage, was copiously discussed during the marathon session.

The meeting ended with a decision to empanel a committee to probe the allegations made by Mr. Kyerematen, with a view to reconciling the feuding stakeholders in the party, according to a release signed by Ambassador D.K. Osei, Secretary to the President.

President Kufuor, in his maiden public reaction to the resignation, appealed to party members and the public to desist from acts or statements likely to as he put it, “inflame passions”.

A dinner in which the trio partook pointed at a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

Source: Daily Guide

Let wise counsel prevail on Alan

The 2008 National Campaign Committee (NCC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed the hope that wise counsel would prevail for Mr Alan Kyerematen, runner-up in the party's December 23 presidential race, to rejoin the party.

A statement signed by Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, Chairman of the Committee, said the party had learnt with regret the resignation of Mr Kyerematen from the party, as the party worked to retain the presidency and parliamentary majority in the December general election.

The statement said “our disappointment is shared by every member of our party".

It said Mr Kyerematen's resignation was reported to be on account of alleged harassment of his supporters by others in the party.

It explained that since the end of the NPP presidential campaign, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate, had had to work harder than perhaps any other nominee to heal the divisions that occurred during the primaries.

This, according to the statement, was necessitated by the unusually large number of aspirants, with Nana Akufo-Addo meeting the challenge magnificently.

It said Nana Akufo-Addo had met with aspirants, both as a group and individually on many occasions and brought on board all aspirants and many of their supporters, including those of 'Mr Kyerematen.

The statement pointed out that a few days ago, Nana Akufo-Addo called on Mr Kyerematen at home and had extensive discussions on his concerns and the future of the party, adding that earlier last week, Mr Kyerematen chaired a meeting of the Committee on Identifiable Groups.

The statement said the parliamentary primaries of the party were consistent with the party's constitution, rules and regulations, being supervised by party officers.

"To avoid discord and promote unity, the party, working with the Presidential Candidate, has put in place mediation committees for the regions to resolve problems arising out of the primaries.

"Incumbent MPs; regardless of who they supported, are facing challenges while some without reference to what they did in the presidential primaries, are being returned unopposed," the statement added.

It said any suggestion that the supporters of any particular person were being targeted was, therefore, not based on facts.

According to the statement, the campaign team had full confidence in the party’s ability to manage the parliamentary primaries with fairness and firmness.

It said the NPP had always been bigger than any individual, adding that after every presidential primary, the party had united behind the winner.

“His Excellency President Kufuor as well as our current nominee, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” the statement intimated, both “helped the winners when they lost”, and expressed the hope that the tradition would continue this time too.

Source: Daily Graphic

Alan cash resigns from NPP

A failed presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Alan Kyerematen has resigned from the party.

He reportedly presented his resignation letter personally to the chairman of the NPP, Mr. Peter Mac Manu.

The reasons for Mr. Kyerematen’s resignation are yet unknown.

Until now, he was responsible for Identifiable Groups in the campaign team of the flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo.

There have media speculations suggesting Mr. Kyerematen is under pressure to contest the December elections as an independent presidential candidate.

Although the speculations are unconfirmed the latest move can only serve to reinforce them.

Mr. Kyerematen has also been linked to a new political party recently outdoored in Kumasi, the Reformed Patriotic Democrats.

It has also been rumoured that the former Trade and Industry Minister will be contesting on the RPD’s ticket for the presidency.

Mr. Kyerematen contested the flag bearership of the NPP with 15 others and came out the first runner-up.

There was supposed to be a run-off since none of the aspirants obtained the 50 per cent plus one as required by the NPP constitution to win the contest.

But Mr. Kyeremanten conceded defeat to Nana Akufo-Addo who polled the most votes saying it was in the interest of the party.

He pledged his support for Nana Addo and called on his supporters across the country to do same.

Now he has resigned from the NPP with details regarding his resignation very sketchy.

Stay tuned for new developments on Mr. Alan Kyerematen's resignation.

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It is John Mahama

The National Executive Council of the National Democratic Congress has approved, unanimously, the choice of John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole/Bamboi, as Professor John Evans Atta Mills' running mate for Election '08.

DFP Chairman contests flagbearership

The Interim National Chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Alhaji Issaka has filed nomination to contest the flagbearership of the party.

He will be battling it out with another aspirant, a communications consultant Mr. Emmanuel Ansah Antwi.

Speaking to Joy News, Alhaji Issaka said he was capable of ruling the country effectively.

"I am capable of running the country and my party has the capacity to help me run the country", he stated.

Responding to concerns that he was fairly unpopular and a political novice, he said he had served his country in many respects and was well known adding he had "been in politics since the UNC days".

He rejected assertions that he would become politically irrelevant to the DFP if he loses the flagbearer bid.

He was optimistic about winning the presidential candidacy of the party.

The DFP will be going to congress over the weekend to elect a flag bearer and other national officers to man the affairs of the party.

A former NDC stalwart Mr. Kwaku Baah will be sole candidate for the Chairmanship of the party while Mr. Bede Zieden goes for the General Secretary position also unopposed.

Ms. Frances Essiam and former NDC Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, Mr. Nii Okaija Adamfio are going for the Vice Chairperson position.

No decision made on Prof Mills' running mate - Jerry

No Running Mate has been selected for Professor John Evans Atta Mills, National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer for Election 2008, a statement from the Office of Former President Rawlings said on Tuesday.

The statement singed by Mr Victor Emmanuel Smith, said media reports that Prof Mills over the weekend consulted with NEC (National Executive Committee of NDC) and Council of Elders and selected Mr John Mahama as his Running Mate, to which former President Rawlings, founder of the party gave his blessings, was a fabrication.

The statement said: "The founder would like to assure the party faithful that the publication is absolutely false and a great lie calculated by these self-seekers and their agents to sow seeds of discord in the NDC. It must, therefore, be disregarded."

Source: GNA