VZCZCXRO3048
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #0530/01 1120744
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 210744Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6430
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ACCRA 000530 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF GH
SUBJECT: GHANA POLITICAL ROUNDUP 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:  On April 17, former New Patriotic Party (NPP) 
presidential candidate Alan Kyerematen delivered a resignation 
letter to his party amidst speculation that he will launch an 
independent bid for the presidency. Following weeks of intense media 
speculation, NDC presidential candidate John Atta Mills selected 
John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole/Bamboi, as his vice presidential 
running mate. The selection was widely welcomed, with the exception 
of some Muslim NDC supporters who were disappointed that Mills did 
not select a Muslim candidate. The Electoral Commission (EC) 
admitted to discrepancies in the voter registration list in Ashanti, 
and urged support for additional local election observers. The 
newly-established Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) selected a flag 
bearer, while New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries have 
been dogged by protests. Tension also mounted at sea, as Ghanaian 
fishermen protested against the activities of Chinese fishing 
vessels damaging their nets. Finally, the spiritual head of the 
world Ahmadiyya Muslim community began a six-day visit to Ghana. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
Alan Kyerematen Quits NPP 
------------------------- 
 
¶2. On April 18, NPP General Secretary Nana Ohene-Ntow confirmed 
media reports that Alan Kyerematen, who had hoped to be the NPP 
presidential nominee, has resigned from the NPP. Kyerematen finished 
second to Nana Akufo-Addo in the contest to be the party's 
candidate. A former Trade and Industry Minister, Kyerematen had the 
strong backing of President Kufour, and there is speculation that he 
will run as an independent candidate. Ohene-Ntow said the party was 
"shocked, disappointed and surprised" by Kyerematen's resignation, 
and confirmed that Kyerematen's resignation letter had complained 
that his supporters had been "alienated and intimidated" following 
the NPP's selection of Akufo-Addo as flagbearer in December. 
(COMMENT: An independent Kyerematen candidacy would have a 
significant effect on the presidential race, and would undoubtedly 
pull votes away from Akufo-Addo and damage the NPP's prospects. END 
COMMENT). Post will report further as more information becomes 
available. 
 
Mills selects John Mahama as running mate 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the opposition NDC 
approved unanimously John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole/Bamboi, as 
Professor John Evans Atta Mills' running mate for the 2008 election. 
Mahama is a northerner, a Christian from the country's most Muslim 
region, a Member of Parliament since 1996, and served as Minister of 
Communication in the government of former President Rawlings. Mahama 
is from the Gonja ethnic group, and as such is seen as neutral in 
northern ethnic conflicts. 
 
¶4. Prof. Mills is expected to introduce his running mate at a 
separate function yet to be scheduled. John Mahama beat out several 
other candidates, including Betty Mould Iddrisu, a lawyer; Mohammed 
Mumuni, Mill's previous running mate; and Minority Leader Alban 
Bagbin. Mills had been under pressure from some quarters within the 
party (including former First Lady Nana Rawlings) to select a woman 
as running mate. 
 
Rawlings Aide Victor Smith Dismissed 
---------------------------------- 
¶5. On April 11 former President Rawlings sacked his Special Aide and 
Director of Public Affairs since 2001, Emmanuel Victor Smith. Smith, 
who is a strong supporter of NDC candidate John Atta Mills, was 
reportedly dismissed due to his 'obscene loyalty' to Mills and is 
rumored to have provoked the anger of former First Lady Nana 
Rawlings. Smith has openly supported John Mahama as against Mrs. 
Rawlings' preferred choice, Betty Mould-Iddrisu. 
 
¶6. Mr. Smith's dismissal was communicated to him through an SMS text 
message from Mr. Rawlings which read: "Thanks for your services to 
my Office, Mr. Victor Smith. Draft a press release relieving you as 
staff of my office to enable you continue your political career 
hopefully in the office of Prof Mills. Press announcement to be 
prepared right away. Thanks and God guide you-JJR." 
 
¶7. A statement from the Former President on April 14 only stated 
that the reason for the removal of his special aide, Mr. Victor 
Smith, was not "a matter for public consumption". It added that 
Rawlings would not "be cajoled into offering an explanation because 
sponsored rumor mongers are at it again churning falsehoods". 
 
 
Muslim NDC members speak out against John Mahama 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶8. A group calling itself Concerned Muslim Youth in Tamale has 
spoken out against the selection of John Mahama as the party's vice 
presidential candidate. The group said the selection of a Christian 
partner for the Christian presidential candidate was a 
miscalculation and fundamentally wrong. They pointed out that the 
support base of the NDC was centered in the predominantly Muslim 
north, and in Zongo communities. 
 
ACCRA 00000530  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶9. A week earlier, group of youth in Tamale went on a rampage 
following media speculation that John Mahama would be selected.  The 
group, led by an NDC youth activist in Tamale, Sofo Yusif Azorka, 
advocated the selection of Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, who was Mills' 
running mate in 2004. 
 
¶10. Nevertheless, other Muslim NDC leaders have said that it was 
important for members of the party to put aside religious difference 
in the collective interest of the party. (COMMENT: The challenge now 
facing the NDC is how to manage the possible dissent that may 
emanate from the selection of the party's vice presidential 
candidate. END COMMENT). 
 
 
 
 
EC urges more local election observers 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶11. On April 10, the Chairman of Electoral Commission (EC), Kwadwo 
Afari-Gyan, called attention to the need to increase the capacity of 
local election observers in anticipation of a smaller number of 
foreign observers at the 2008 election. According to the EC, the 
international observers are used less frequently in 'stabilized' 
democracies.  Given Ghana's experience in holding credible elections 
since 1992, said the EC, few international observers should be 
expected for the 2008 Election. Nevertheless, Afari-Gyan said local 
observers were critical to ensuring free, fair and credible 
elections. 
 
 
DFP Selects Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi as Flagbearer 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶12. The recently established Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) on April 
5 elected Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi, a political unknown, as its 
flagbearer for the December elections.  Ansah-Antwi, a 48-year-old 
marketing and communication consultant, received 868 votes, 
representing 81.2 per cent of the total  while veteran politician, 
businessman and interim National Chairman of the DFP, Alhaji Issaka, 
received  18.8 per cent of the ballots cast. 
 
¶13.  Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Issaka blamed Dr. Obed Asamoah, "Life 
Patron of the Party," for his defeat. Issak said the election result 
was evidence of the power and influence Asamoah has in the Party, 
which was not ideal for its democratic development. 
 
¶14. Ansah-Antwi assured DFP delegates that financing the Party's 
campaign would not be a problem, and that the DFP would contest all 
230 parliamentary seats. This is the first national congress for the 
DFP since its formation earlier this year. The DFP was formed soon 
after Asamoah lost his position as chairman of the main opposition 
National Democratic Congress. 
 
NPP parliamentary nomination dogged by protests 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶15. The ruling NPP began vetting parliamentary aspirants in the 
Ashanti Region, but the process was disrupted when NPP supporters at 
Subin, Nshiasu and Offinsu South constituencies staged 
demonstrations at vetting venues, resulting in a temporary delay in 
the process. 
 
¶16. NPP supporters in the Subin constituency protested against the 
candidacy of the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Isaac 
Osei. In Offinso South, constituents called for primaries in the 
constituency, responding to a decision by the NPP not to organize 
primaries in constituencies where it won the seats through 
by-elections. Constituents in Offinso South have threatened to vote 
against the party if the decision is not reversed. 
 
¶17. A group from the NPP's Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency 
demonstrated at the NPP's Accra Regional office. The group was 
opposed to what they believed was an attempt by the regional 
executive to challenge the nomination of Deputy Manpower Minister, 
Mrs. Frema Osei Opare, the incumbent MP. [NOTE: Deputy Minister 
Frema leads GOG efforts to combat child labor in the cocoa sector, 
and is a key Mission contact. END NOTE]. 
 
 
Ghana's Fishermen protest activities of Chinese vessels 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶18. The local media has reported on a conflict between Ghanaian and 
Chinese fishermen along Ghana's western coastline. According to the 
reports, Ghanaian fishermen have complained that their fishing nets 
and gear are being destroyed by Chinese fishing trawlers. The 
Chinese trawlers are alleged to use unorthodox means of fishing, 
such as high voltage mercury bulbs powered by generators, to attract 
and harvest fish. Ghanaian fishermen also complained that Chinese 
vessels are illegally engaged in pair trawling. The Ghanaians 
complained that the Ministry of Fisheries has failed to act in spite 
 
ACCRA 00000530  003 OF 003 
 
 
of the numerous requests for intervention. 
 
Head of Ahmadiyya Muslims arrives in Ghana 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶19. Finally, the Supreme Head of the world Ahmadiyya Muslim 
community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Khalifatul Masih V, arrived in 
Ghana April 15 for a six-day visit. The visit is his second to to 
Ghana since becoming the spiritual head of Ahmadiyya Muslims in 
¶2003. During his six-day visit, Hazrat Ahmad is scheduled to 
participate in activities marking 100 years of Ahmadiyya Mission in 
Ghana [COMMENT: The Ahmadiyya enjoy positive relations with Muslims 
and other communities in Ghana, in contrast to countries where they 
have been subject to discrimination. END COMMENT].