PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE NPP CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE ON THE ELECTION OF MR. BARACK OBAMA AS PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

America has voted and elected Mr. Barack Obama, an African-American as the 44th President of the United States of America. Today, we join Ghanaians, Africans and the world in celebrating this significant milestone.

There are several useful lessons to be drawn from this election. First, Americans made a decision based on the peculiar circumstances in their country. Throughout his campaign, Senator Obama offered hope, new ideas, strong and effective leadership and inclusiveness.

His victory is thus a vindication of a campaign of ideas, and a rebuke to the politics of insults, vindictiveness, divisiveness and negativity. Second, despite the enormous stake involved and the keen competition, there was no violence.

On 20th of January 2009, as has happened repeatedly, power will pass peacefully from President George Bush to Senator Barack Obama. That is as it should be.

Violence should not have a place in politics. Those who have invoked the Kenya and Zimbabwe models for Ghana must rethink their approach to politics. They must join us in helping Ghana to emulate the American example and become an example for the Kenyas and Zimbabwes of our world.

Indeed, Senator Obama has profoundly, called his victory “a new dawn of American Leadership”.

He has also stated that change for change sake will not do for America. Indeed, he declared in his victory address: “This victory is not the change we seek, but a chance to make the change we seek”.

The lesson from the President-elect is that, change for the sake of change is not enough. Ghanaians must vote for the party which has made their lives better and will transform our country, the NPP.

The NPP hopes that Ghanaians will make history by electing Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to succeed President Kufuor of the NPP giving our party its third successive majority in parliament and send the NDC John packing to join the Republican John (McCain), in retirement.

Let us move forward! Arthur Kobina Kennedy (Chair, Communication Committee) 2008 Campaign Committee