OPEN CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM PAPA KWESI NDUOM TO BARACK OBAMA

Comrade Obama:

Last night June 3, 2008 you made history. You became the first African-American to achieve the position of Presidential Candidate for a major political party in the United States of America. Many people are proud of your achievement. Americans – black, white, etc are proud of your achievement. You have promised “Change We Can Believe” and brought hope to many who had become disenchanted with politics of division, privilege and hatred. You have promised an America prepared to use diplomacy and only resort to military might as a last resort. You have made many repeat over and over again from New York to California, from Minnesota to Arizona, “Yes We Can”. They have come to understand that you represent the best American values. They have bought into the point you have made over and over again that America needs change.

It is important for you to note that many of us in Africa have become impressed with your positive messages and inclusive attitude to solving America’s problems. We like it when you show respect to your opponents. When you declared victory last night, you recognized your presumptive Republican opponent in November, Senator John McCain for his military experience and positive reputation in politics. You paid tribute to Senator Hillary Clinton for the good fight she has demonstrated and her belief that change will benefit Americans. You paid tribute to Americans for what they have helped you achieve – you said this was a victory for America. In all of this, you have inspired millions of people not just in America, but in Africa too.

Many hoped that you would win the nomination to become the candidate of the Democrats. They thought that you could do the job of President. They knew you were qualified for the job. But a lot did not believe that you could pull it off. You have made believers of many, that though America is not perfect, it continues to strive for something better.

Your success gives me encouragement that politics of hope using positive messages can lead to success. You have given some of us greater courage to stand up for believing in change so that many can live a better life and not just the privileged few. Last year, very few people gave you a chance against others who had more money, had establishment backing, were considered more mainstream and were ahead in public polls and perception. Five months ago, not many gave you a chance in Iowa, the first real test of the primaries of the Democratic Party. But you said, and the people believed and the young people volunteered, “Yes We Can”.

Last year, in my own party, the Convention People’s Party in Ghana, many thought that I could not win the primaries to become the Presidential Candidate. But a movement of young people and people looking for change organized themselves. They believed in my message. I won. This year, I am facing two “establishment” candidates who are speaking the language of continuity while our people remain poor and disadvantaged in their own country. I am preaching a message of “Change You Can Feel”. Ghanaians deserve better that they have experienced since 1993. This will not happen if we continue to politics of exclusion, playing the blame game and polarization that brands our people into two categories – “for” and “against”. I am praying that you win in November. I am working to win in December. Together, we will fight to change the world.

Keep Hope Alive!

Congratulations!

Papa Kwesi Nduom Presidential Candidate Convention People’s Party June 4, 2008