VZCZCXRO0874
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #2674 3101623
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061623Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2905
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ACCRA 002674 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV GH
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH HEAD OF NEW DEMOCRATIC 
FREEDOM PARTY 
 
REF: ACCRA 02250 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Obed Asamoah engaged Ambassador in a 
robust discussion on economic development, his vision for the 
new political party he founded, health, and education. 
Asamoah shared our concerns over the escalating war of words 
between President Kufuor and former head of state Rawlings, 
asserting that Ghana's two largest political parties seemed 
headed toward a collision course.  Calm and cerebral, Asamoah 
provides some gravitas to the nascent Democratic Freedom 
Party (DFP), though it remains to be seen whether the DFP 
will grow large enough to become a significant third force in 
the 2008 national elections.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater on November 2 met with 
Dr. Obed Asamoah, former Fonmin and founding member of the 
new Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), at the latter's request. 
Asamoah was concerned that the two largest parties, the 
ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition 
National Democratic Congress (NDC), were on a collision 
course and the next national elections in 2008 would prove to 
be a "troublesome occasion."  Because so many politicians 
were on "ego trips" or promoting their own agendas, what 
Ghana really needed was a third political force that would 
enhance democracy, said Asamoah.  He argued that with a 
serious third party in the race, the eventual winner of the 
2008 elections would have to negotiate with at least one 
other party, thus leading to greater stability. 
 
¶3. (U) Asamoah described his priorities as alleviating 
poverty and boosting agricultural production.  "Why could 
India and China achieve self-sufficiency in food but not 
Ghana?", Asamoah asked.  He thought Ghana would do well to 
focus on self-sustaining activities such as tourism and food 
processing, rather than relying on handouts.  Asamoah also 
called for lower taxes, particularly on businesses, to 
encourage private sector growth.  Finally, he opined that 
Ghana should concentrate on training more technicians and 
fewer theoreticians. 
 
¶4. (U) Ambassador noted Ghana's growth potential and its 
reservoir of talent, much of which migrates overseas.  She 
pointed out a recent press article concerning higher infant 
mortality rates, cautioning that Ghana would need a healthy 
populace if it were to continue to move forward.  Ambassador 
added that Ghana enjoyed tremendous good will among the 
international community and hoped that politicians would 
emphasize what was best for the country, rather than fixating 
on personalities. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Asamoah said he was not planning on running for 
president two years' hence, but instead wanted to devote his 
time to building up a third party that would offer Ghanaians 
a viable alternative to the NPP and NDC.  Decrying rampant 
corruption, Asamoah described some GOG anti-corruption 
institutions as "toothless," but said that the Serious Fraud 
Office, established while the NDC was in power, was strong. 
As for the future of the fledgling DFP, Asamoah said the 
party was drawing in lots of former NPP and NDC supporters, a 
considerable number of people exiting the quixotic Convention 
People's Party (CPP), and those who were previously 
unaffiliated with any political party. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Asked about the escalating rhetoric between 
President Kufuor and former President Rawlings, Asamoah 
concurred that the war of words had become nastier.  While 
Rawlings was already noted for being unrestrained and even 
paranoid in seeing enemies everywhere, President Kufuor 
seemed to be "losing his cool."  The long-term implications, 
he opined, were that the two largest parties will end up in 
conflict. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Ambassador concluded the meeting by saying she was 
troubled by the downward trend away from civility.  She had 
seen situations where compatriots had become their own worst 
enemies and did not want that to happen in Ghana.  Ambassador 
added that true economic development would surely lead to a 
more stable, democratic environment in Ghana and wished 
Asamoah success in making Ghana a better country. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Comment:  Asamoah sounded more right-of-center than 
he did during our last meeting with him (reftel), when he 
advocated a large state role in the economy.  He is a serious 
intellectual who is well respected.  Although others have 
dismissed the DFP's electoral prospects, the party could 
surprise observers and play a pivotal role in the elections 
of 2008 if it manages to expand beyond a cadre of 
intellectuals and attract significant popular support.  End 
Comment. 
BRIDGEWATER