New York June 5, 2008 -- The Convention People’s Party’s (CPP) nominee for the office of Ghana’s president Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum says he has confidence in the capacity of the Electoral Commission (EC) to steer the country away from the kind of electoral debacle that engulfed Kenya in recent months.

“There will be no ‘Kenya’ in Ghana. I have dealt with them (EC) in three elections. Those guys are tough and very independent”, he told pressmen in a brief interview here. According to him another thing going for Ghana is that there is a well-defined system solidly in place to resolve any problems that may arise.

Dr Ndoum made these comments in New York at a private reception organized in his honor by the CPP USA New York chapter.

The flag bearer was passing through the Big Apple on what was supposed to be a private visit. Accompanied by his lovely wife and a well-spoken son, he had come to the US to witness the graduation of his daughter at the prestigious Yale University in Connecticut.

But New York tri-state is not exactly the kind of place that you glide through quietly and leave, especially if you are a high profile candidate for the high office of president of one of Africa’s beacon nations. Somebody will find you out and before you know, the public and the media are all over you like ants on spilled honey.

He arrived here on the night of Saturday May 31. On Sunday, Dr Ndoum, a devout Christian, worshipped at the Ghana Presbyterian Church of New York located in Manhattan. From there he was whisked to the Salsa Restaurant in the Bronx where he held court with members of CPP USA (New York), several invited guests, (mostly Ghanaians living in the tri-state area) and the media.

He used the moment to address a number of issues including the party’s resolve to vigorously contest and win the presidential vote and at least 100 parliamentary seats. He spoke at length about how the CPP, buoyed by the re-emergence of Nkrumah era members and enthusiastic youths is gradually and steadfastly re-establishing itself as the formidable political machine that it once was.

He scoffed at suggestions that the CPP should forge alliances that will help it play a “kingmaker” role in Ghanaian politics. “We are in to win it,” he said and went further to emphasize that he would not re-visit failed alliances with other parties because they were not brokered in good faith. “We may not appear as strong as the others at this time, but remember, for every Goliath, there is a David” the learned man said.

On the legacy of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the flag-bearer admitted to the fact that his vision for the development of Ghana within a unified continental structure remains as relevant today as it was then. “It is our vision and ideology. However, we must refine and re-shape our strategies to suit changed times and circumstances” Dr Ndoum said.

He asked that we should continue to look to the vision and ideology rather than remaining fixated on the person. Drawing a parallel with the United States, he said the coming elections in Ghana are no more a referendum on Nkrumah than the one in the United States is on George Washington. “If we keep drawing on the greatness of the person, we will never find any one good enough like him to lead us forward. We have to move on”, said he.

Dr. Ndoum then talked about the his determination to keep campaigning on issues with a view to popularizing what sets the CPP apart from the others. To this end, he and his team will not engage in the politics of demagoguery, name-calling and personal attacks.

Rather, the focus will be on the party’s manifesto; its plans that include: • job creation in line with the “Edwuma wura” initiative targeted at the youth

• developing the country’s infrastructural base,

• agricultural self-sufficiency,

• fiscally prudent policies that will wean the country from over-dependence on foreign handouts,

• forging a mutually beneficial partnership with foreign investors,

• a meaningful meager of private and public capital,

• providing technical and financial support for small businesses (e.g. market women, mechanics of Suame/Kokompe),

• monitoring industrial activity for environmental and community protection,

• responsible exploitation and management of natural resources • etc.

Dr Ndoum drew a loud ovation when he said he is looking forward to riding in a limousine designed at the Suame, Kumase magazine to his inauguration.

In a brief response chapter chairman Dr S.O Asante pledged members’ commitment to contributing to the party’s electoral successes. He promised that not only will they give their dollars and cents but they will also urge their kith and kin back home to go to the polls and vote the CPP into power.