This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000014 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2015 
TAGS: GH PGOV PREL GOG
SUBJECT: GHANA'S PARTY CONVENTIONS: RAWLINGS CANDIDATE WINS 
IN NDC, KUFUOR'S FAVORITE LOSES IN NPP 
 
REF: ACCRA 02517 
 
Classified By: PolChief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.5 d and e. 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  Ghana's two leading political parties held 
conventions which elected new party leadership and will help 
set the stage for national elections in 2008.  The ruling NPP 
convention was marked by a tight leadership contest and left 
President Kufuor weakened within his party.  The main 
opposition NDC convention was at times unruly and 
inflammatory, reinforcing the dominance within the party of 
former President Jerry Rawlings.  Both parties changed many 
of their leaders, including new chairmen, who will be key 
players in selecting candidates and planning the 2008 
electoral battles.  End summary. 
 
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KUFUOR'S PICK LOSES NPP LEADERSHIP RACE 
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¶2. (SBU) On December 17, the NPP held its convention under 
the shadow of a corruption scandal.  In the weeks prior to 
the convention, the media released the secretly taped 
complaint by former NPP Chairman Haruna Esseku that the 
President and his staff had been siphoning off party 
proceeds.  The tape included an admission by NPP National 
Organizer Lord Commey (who was reelected) that he commanded 
1,100 "action troopers" who worked for the party to disrupt 
and intimidate during elections (reftel).  Under intense 
intra-party pressure because of this tape, Esseku resigned on 
the eve of the NPP convention.  Two potential successors 
emerged: First Vice Chairman Steven Ntim (half-Brong, 
half-Ashanti) and Western Regional Chairman Peter Mac Manu 
(Ashanti). President Kufuor endorsed Ntim, who supporters 
said could have broadened the ethnic appeal of the 
Ashanti-dominated NPP and made an Ashanti presidential 
candidate more acceptable in 2008. 
 
¶3. (C) In addressing the delegates, Kufuor referred to 
growing disenchantment with his administration as "Second 
Term Blues."   In translating Kufuor's remarks into several 
local languages, the Master of Ceremonies offered the less 
than enthusiastic takeaway that the NPP was still the best 
option despite its recent shortcomings.  Careful not to 
alienate whichever faction proved victorious, some delegates 
predicted a close race and kept their preferences private. 
However, Ntim's candidacy was hurt when Minister of 
Information Dan Botwe, a former NPP General Secretary, said 
he was not for "officialdom" and endorsed Mac Manu (later 
half-joking to Poloffs that the statement could lose him his 
job.)  Esseku also endorsed Mac Manu.  In what some media 
outlets called a "humbling" of Kufuor, Mac Manu took the 
party's top position with 711 votes to Ntim's 635. 
 
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RAWLINGS HOLDS SWAY OVER NDC 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The New Democratic Congress (NDC) convention in 
Koforidua on December 21 had more certain outcomes.  Former 
President Rawlings' ongoing feuds with NDC Chairman Obed 
Asamoah and other party officials were no secret. (Note: 
Critics say Asamoah refused to release party funds in 2004 to 
support Atta-Mills and undermined party unity. End note.) 
Rawlings told delegates he would not condemn Asamoah and his 
operatives but would rather "pray for their souls." He said 
that corrupt NPP officials could expect lengthy jail terms if 
the NDC regains power.  Rawlings' candidate for NDC chairman, 
Dr. Kwabena Adjei, won by a landslide (1,150 to 280). 
 
¶7. (SBU) The convention was marked by allegations of 
intra-party violence and intimidation. Some news outlets 
reported that Asamoah's supporters had held delegates captive 
in Kumasi prior to the convention in an attempt to ensure 
votes for him. Frances Essiam, the party's former Women's 
Organizer, resigned from the party and told the media that 
Rawlings supporters had attacked her after she responded to 
Rawlings' convention remarks on JoyFM radio station. On 
December 29 Kwaku Baah, a former NDC Vice Chairman, also 
resigned from the NDC saying, "I cannot stand the thuggery 
and intimidation in the party." 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶8. (C) Ghana's party conventions convey important first 
signals about the tenor and landscape we are likely to see in 
the 2008 elections. The NPP convention reveals internal 
friction.  Mac Manu's election may make it more difficult for 
Ashanti aspirants in 2008 (such as Kwame Addo Kufuor, the 
Defense Minister and the President's brother).  Rawlings has 
in recent years been a lightning rod within his own party, 
with detractors hoping he would fade into the political 
background for the next presidential contest.  This 
convention suggests that Rawlings is still the kingmaker for 
the NDC.  His dominance and rough style will also continue to 
be a source of division and discontent for some in the NDC. 
In his speech to the convention, Atta-Mills reiterated his 
claims that the NPP stole the 2004 election and warned that 
if the NPP uses action troopers again, "They will live to 
regret it...There are times when you have to assert your 
rights." While his rhetoric was at least in part meant to 
bolster his popularity within the party (his NDC critics have 
claimed he is too mild-mannered and conciliatory), the 
ominous rhetoric emanating from the NDC and the reports of 
intra-party violence are not healthy for democracy in Ghana. 
 
LANIER