Kennedy brings his message of hope to Charlotte

June 10, 2007-Charlotte, NC-Kennedy was in Charlotte this weekend with a message of hoe to Ghanaians every where. The venue was the International House in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Though the people of Charlotte had a very short notice of his visit the attendance was very great and encouraging. Many who turned up were not initially in Kennedy camp nor were they NPP sympathizers as they reiterated in the question time. In fact many did not even like the NPP or had lost hope in Ghana. However by the time they were leaving the meeting they pledged their support to Kennedy in whatever way they can to make sure his message of hope gets to the right people.

Since many had not initially come to make any donations but to listen and ask questions it was not uncommon that they would not come with their check books. However at the end of the meeting when Kennedy had answered all their questions and concerns satisfactorily many expressed enthusiasm and readiness to send donations via the Kennedy Campaign website, www.arthurkkennedy.com.

Kennedy stressed that it was not only money that he needed to reach out to people and that those who have heard him speak and are convinced that he can deliver, as he would, can also help by telling others or connecting him to people they know. Kennedy stressed that telling more people about his message and what he stands for is as good as or even valuable than cash donations.

In the meeting during question time the question was asked about the article written on Ghanaweb about Kennedy’s qualification to stand for the presidential elections. Kennedy made it clear that the article was misquoted or misguided. He debunked it by going on to the read the actual letters of article 63 and 94 the feature article alluded to. Kennedy also explained that the provision of electing MPs were similar to that of the President except by age

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS

A person shall not be qualified for election as the President of Ghana unless -

(a) He is a citizen of Ghana by birth;

(b) He has attained the age of forty years; and

(c) He is a person who is otherwise qualified to be elected a Member of Parliament, except that the disqualifications set out in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of clause (2) of article 94 of this Constitution shall not be removed, in respect of any such person, by a presidential pardon or by the lapse of time as provided for in clause (5) of that article.

The article 94 (2) which Kosi alluded to rather states that

(2) A person shall not be qualified to be a Member of Parliament if he -

(a) Owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana: or

(b) Has been adjudged or otherwise declared-

(i) Bankrupt under any law in force in Ghana and has not been discharged or

(ii) To be of unsound mind or is detained as a criminal lunatic under any law in force in Ghana; or

(c) Has been convicted -

(i) for high crime under this Constitution or high treason or treason or for an offence involving the security of the State, fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; or

(ii) for any other offence punishable by death or by a sentence of not less than ten years; or

(iii) for an offence relating to, or connected with election under a law in force in Ghana at any time; or

(d) Has been found by the report of a commission or a committee of inquiry to be incompetent to hold public office or is a person in respect of whom a commission or committee of inquiry has found that while being a public officer he acquired assets unlawfully or defrauded the State or misused or abused his office, or willfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the State, and the findings have not been set aside on appeal or judicial review; or

(e) is under sentence of death or other sentence of imprisonment imposed on him by any court; or

Kennedy also spoke at length on how he can create jobs in Ghana and help curb corruption. He was quizzed on many of his policy statements and how he intents to implement his nice ideas and vision for Ghana including how to create jobs, stop the brain drain and deal with corruption especially on the question of CEPS at the ports of entry. Kennedy also stressed that Ghana cannot achieve much without integrating the people and professionals in the Diaspora in the day to day management and running of the country.

Charlotte, NC