VZCZCXRO6629
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #2240/01 2960721
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 230721Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5565
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002240 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: GHANA POLITICAL ROUNDUP 
 
REF: ACCRA 1757 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: As the 2008 presidential/parliamentary elections 
approach, two smaller parties - the Convention People's Party (CPP) 
and the People's National Convention (PNC) - are determining their 
respective Presidential candidates. Meanwhile, Ghanaian political 
observers are increasingly concerned by the massive sums of money 
already evident in the campaign, and Ghana election officials are 
undergoing training in administering elections. Internationally, 
President Kufuor has publicly highlighted the importance of 
improving trade relations with China, and condemned the recent 
killing of African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Sudan. Ghana will host 
an AU Ministerial on October 26 and 27 which will focus on promoting 
African unity. END SUMMARY. 
 
CPP opens Nominations 
--------------------- 
 
¶2.  On October 8, the Convention People's Party (CPP) opened 
nominations to determine the party's candidate for the 2008 
presidential elections. Despite a weak showing in the past two 
presidential/parliamentary elections, the CPP has gained increased 
attention for 2008 due to the presence of several high-profile 
personalities contesting the CPP presidential nomination.  On 
October 22, nominations will close and vetting of the aspirants will 
begin. In addition to nominating the presidential candidate, party 
delegates will also elect senior party officials. Four candidates 
have announced their interest in seeking the nomination including 
former Minister for Public Sector Reform Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduoum and 
prominent pathologist and former Ghana Health Service Director 
General Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosa (reftel). 
 
Ghanaian concerns over NPP money 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  Several civil society groups and prominent individuals allege 
that NPP presidential candidates are using money and gifts to 
influence potential party delegates, party executives and 
journalists ahead of the NPP's December Congress. Former Minister of 
Trade Alan Kyerematen has received most of the criticism due to his 
flamboyant road shows and lavish advertisements as well as the 
perception that he is President Kufuor's favorite for NPP nominee. 
President Kufuor, however, has publicly stated that he is not 
supporting Kyerematen. 
 
Peoples National Convention (PNC) to hold Congress 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶4.  The Peoples National Convention (PNC) will hold its Congress in 
Bolgatanga from November 30 to December 2 to elect its 2008 
presidential candidate and national officers. The PNC is taking 
nominations from October 10-30. In addition to selecting candidates, 
the Congress will consider PNC policy positions and possible 
constitutional amendments. 
 
EC officers prepare for 2008 elections 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Nearly 200 election officers of the Electoral Commission (EC) 
are undergoing a series of training courses designed by the African 
Association of Electoral Authorities to sharpen their skills in 
election administration ahead of the 2008 elections. The courses 
opened on October 8 and EC Chairman Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Djan said the 
sessions will lend additional credibility to the election.  The 
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is funding the training. 
 
Ghana to pursue deeper trade relationship with China 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶6. On October 9, President Kufuor said Ghana would pursue deeper 
trade relationships with China, adding that China has plenty to 
offer African countries.  President Kufuor, speaking during the 
Economist Conference Roundtable in Accra, said Ghana would work hard 
to tap into China's expertise. President Kufuor also commended 
China's approach to Africa, citing examples in infrastructure 
development and especially the road sector. He said China's bids in 
international tenders are more competitive than bids from European 
countries or the U.S. He added that Ghana would continue to work 
closely with all of its partners. 
 
Ghana condemns killing of African Union Peacekeepers 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶7.  On October 4, President Kufuor, wearing his hat as Chairman of 
the African Union (AU), condemned the killing of 10 AU Peacekeepers 
serving in Sudan's Darfur Region and gave the assurance that this 
act would not deter Africa from pushing ahead with the goal of 
bringing peace to all troubled spots on the Continent.  The soldiers 
(seven from Nigeria and one each from Senegal, Botswana and Mali) 
died following an attack on the African Union Mission's (AMIS) 
Haskanita Camp by a group of heavily armed men. Eight others were 
seriously wounded.  Jointly addressing the AU Commission and its 
Permanent Representatives in Addis Ababa, President Kufuor said in 
 
ACCRA 00002240  002 OF 002 
 
 
order to prevent such acts from occurring again, the UN must 
expedite action on the deployment of the "Heavy Support Package" to 
AMIS and the AU-UN Hybrid Force to Darfur. 
 
Ghana to host African Ministerial Committee Meeting 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶8. On October 26 and 27, Ghana will host the AU Ministerial 
Committee Meeting. Briefing African Ambassadors on October 4, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Akwasi Osei Adjei said the meeting would 
address the African unity theme discussed at the June AU Summit in 
Accra.  Adjei said the Ministers would look at the need for 
collective responses to major global issues, the creation of an 
African Common Market and involving more African people in economic 
and political integration of the continent. He also said the 
Ministerial would discuss the Abuja Economic Treaty, the 
Constitutive Act and the Political and Economic integration 
process. 
 
¶9. The Ministerial Committee is made up of 10 members plus Ghana as 
Committee Chair. The remainder of the committee is composed of two 
member states from each of the five sub-regions. Currently, West 
Africa is represented by Nigeria and Senegal, East Africa by 
Ethiopia and Uganda, Southern Africa by Botswana and South Africa, 
North Africa by Egypt and Libya, and Central Africa by Cameroon and 
Gabon. 
 
BROWN