I'll not engage in negative campaign - Nduom

Accra, Dec. 24, GNA - Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, flagbearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP) for Election 2008, said on Monday he would not engage in negative campaign, as Ghana deserved a President with ideas to solve problems and not to play the blame game. "We need politicians with ideas and a government of inclusion, using the best people, a President with a soft heart to create a just and caring society through great sense of urgency for the implementation of human centred policies."

Speaking at his maiden press conference in Accra after wining the CPP presidential slot earlier this month, Dr Nduom, Former Minister of Public Sector Reform, said the CPP was the best alternative to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He said both the NDC and NPP had failed to meet the aspirations of Ghanaians for the past 16 years, stressing; "its now time to put the Ghanaian at the centre of opportunity in the private and public sectors. "It is the job of Government to prepare its people and give them the necessary opportunities to overcome inexperience and inadequate capital, and President Nduom will use Government's purchasing power to support the Ghanaian private sector to become stronger and competitive in the global market."

Dr Nduom said Ghanaians knew the problems that confronted the nation and that what was needed was a political Leader who would focus on solving the problems and to develop the country within a reasonable timeframe.

On the political future of the nation, Dr Nduom urged the electorate to vote massively for the Party, stressing "the CPP we are taking to Election 2008 is different from the one we took to the Election 2000 and Election 2004.

"We have a new Leader with a strong message of bringing the economy back home to Ghanaians."

He debunked the notion that CPP would be the third force in Election 2008, saying the Party was ready and contesting the presidential and parliamentary elections to win.

"The new CPP under the current Leadership is ready to sacrifice, work hard and look for the resources and fight to reclaim its rightful position in Ghanaian politics as an enduring and winning tradition," he said.

Dr Nduom said the overtures extended to CPP by the NDC and NPP during the National Delegates Congress in Kumasi were attestation of those parties recognition of the potency of the New-CPP. In solidarity messages during the CPP congress, the NDC talked about working with the CPP to kill the NPP, whilst NPP trumpeted on developing a relationship with the party.

"NDC and NPP have publicly acknowledged that the CPP is now a viable competitor in Election 2008, I want to make it clear that the CPP we are taking to the general election is not in the race to support anybody - not NDC and not NPP. We are in this race to win."

The press conference was attended by Dr Kwaku Osafo, who lost the flagbearership slot to Dr Nduom; newly elected Chairman and Leader of the Party Mr Ladi Nylander and other national and Greater Accra Regional Executive Members.