Papa Kwesi Nduom, a CPP presidential aspirant and former minister in the Kufuor government has called for government accountability and openness.

In a telephone interview regarding the recent surge in support for the CPP, Papa Kwesi Nduom asserted that “a free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust”. Papa Kwesi Nduom stated that the electorate will not give that trust to public officials who are not seen to be impartially dedicated to the general public interest.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said CPP when voted to power will pursue an open and accountable government, where citizens would be given the right to question government on any major policy initiative.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said since his time in government he has been on the forefront of the fight for stronger ethics at all levels of government, and believes that the integrity of government is fundamental to Ghana’s infant democracy.

Papa Kwesi Nduom stated that “one of the core elements of CPP’s agenda is making sure that government at all levels operates in the open, giving the public and the media access to meetings and public records”. Papa Kwesi Nduom was very emphatic when he stated that CPP will strengthen protection for those who expose corruption at all levels, and to help make people feel safe coming forward with information that protects the public from waste, fraud and abuse.

On the role of the media in Ghana, Papa Kwesi Nduom said the media’s failure to provide diverse viewpoints and unbiased information is undermining the strength of Ghana’s democracy. Papa Kwesi Nduom said under the CPP government, they will ensure that the media meet their obligations to serve the public by promoting diversity, accessibility, accountability, especially among all the government agencies.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said CPP appears on course to win the 2008 presidential elections. Nduom said, “It is, as expected, the NPP flag bearership race is taking all the interest at the moment, while CPP goes marching on gaining more members at the grass roots level.

On his relationship with the core CPP national executive, Papa Kwesi Nduom said most people underestimated the CPP and thought the party would remain divided, but the current resurgent of the party is what makes the CPP unique.

Papa Kwesi Nduom explains that trends in all the regions under-line the assertions that CPP still enjoy popular support, a legacy carried over from Nkrumah’s era, when the CPP had no challenger.

Papa Kwesi Nduom said CPP has set it sights on combating the inequitable system of resource distribution in the country.

Papa Kwesi Nduom and Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa are the 2 leading candidates in the CPP flag bearership race.