The Nduom for President 08 Campaign Team led by the Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom reached Kumasi in the Ashanti Region on Friday, 19 December 2008.

The nation-wide tour to thank CPP members, executives and Parliamentary Candidates has taken Dr. Nduom and his team to the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Volta and Eastern Regions. The meeting in Kumasi was attended by Campaign team members including David Ampofo, Richmond Lamptey, Mr. Francis Tamakloe, Berlinda Bulley, David Mensah and others. The meeting was chaired by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the CPP Mr. S. K. Danso.

Dr. Nduom told the people that he felt he paid for the support the CPP and its components parts have given to the NDC and the NPP in the 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 elections. Particularly, he cited the support given to the NPP during the 2000 run-off which put that party in government and resulted in people such as Prof. Hagan, Kabral Amihere, Kojo Armah, the late Kwesi Armah, Hajia Adisa Munkaila and other CPP members in positions in government. He said that he had become the embodiment of the decisions made by the Party’s Central Committee. Therefore, he is very supportive of the independent position taken by the Party with regards to the 2008 run-off election. He urged the Party to maintain that position and said that should the Party change its position the leadership would have to go to the public themselves to explain and justify supporting any one of the parties in the run-off.

The major complaint voiced during the meeting by the participants was the behaviour of many of the Parliamentary Candidates during the last month of the campaign which they said cost the Party votes. They urged the Party to be more diligent in reviewing the background of all candidates for positions and impose a requirement of membership duration and proven contribution to the Party. The regional and constituency executives were particularly distressed over the behaviour of about 17 parliamentary candidates who have formed two groups one publicly supporting the NDC and the other supporting the NPP in the run-off election.

Dr. Nduom told them that this is the time to strengthen the Party and unite all components of the organization. He asked for non-stop effort to unite the Party. He said unity also rests on a foundation of discipline and asked all members to act according to the direction provided by the national leadership. He reminded them that some Ghanaians voted against the CPP for perceived alignment to other parties and asked all to conduct themselves during the run-off election in a way that will promote greater confidence in the Party by the electorate.

Dr. Nduom asked the people to go and find the thousands of people who registered with the Party in 2008 and give them sufficient reasons to become active and develop the loyalty necessary for them to become reliable foot soldiers for the CPP now and in the future. He asked members to close ranks and work toward improving the electoral fortunes of the Party in the next elections. The First Vice Chairman of the Party in the Region, Madam Serwaa thanked Dr. Nduom for investing so much to make the CPP attractive and competitive. She promised that should he decide to contest to become the CPP’s flag bearer for the 2012 elections, he would get the support of the region. She was particularly grateful for the time and interest demonstrated by Mrs. Yvonne Nduom and hoped that she would feel strong and continue to support the efforts of her husband. She pledged full support for Nduom and asked him to continue to provide leadership that will make the Party stronger.

On behalf of the Ashanti Region Parliamentary Candidates, Mr. Kwaku Nkansah thanked Dr. Nduom for support provided in the form of vehicles, motor cycles, posters and funds provided. He asked other leading members of the Party to make tangible and concrete contributions so that the burden would not fall on only one person the next time. Dr. Nduom promised to open offices for the Party where in the constituencies that he could not assist this year by the end of January 2009 and inventory was taken immediately during the meetings to determine where the need existed.

Dr. Nduom has scheduled follow up meetings with Ashanti Region Parliamentary Candidates to attempt to rally them around the Party’s position and decision on the run-off election.