We are extremely excited, not surprised and indeed proud about the reaction to the speech Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom made at the announcement of his intent to enter the contest to become CPP’s Presidential Candidate. No, we are not surprised by the reaction of former NPP government ministers and the NPP’s media mouthpieces. What are they afraid of? Why are they straining to break veins in their necks over someone they rubbish at having no chance in the 2012 elections? For those who missed Dr. Nduom’s speech, we have re-produced the portion that has made some NPP people unhappy below:

“Can this CPP man win the 2012 election and become the President of the Republic of Ghana? Yes I can. Can the voters make me the President knowing that we currently have one seat in Parliament? Yes they can. In Ghana, we run an executive form of government where one person is given the authority to form a government using the best men and women he or she can find inside and outside parliament. We do not run a parliamentary one where a party needs a majority in the Legislature to form government. What our experience in the 4th Republic has taught us is that we need a President who is by practical experience best suited for the job and who has demonstrated in his private life and in public service the ability to deliver positive results. I believe I am the person most suited for the position of President of the Republic of Ghana come January 2013.

There are many good reasons why Ghanaians should support me in 2012. If you are looking forward to better days on pension because of the new pension scheme signed into law in 2009, you have this CPP man to thank for it. If you believe that the National Identification System will bring positive benefits to Ghanaians, you have this CPP man to thank for it. Soon, there will be two brand new ferries on the Volta Lake due to the Millennium Challenge Account. Who made that happen? This CPP man. When the police officers, teachers and medical doctors are eager to receive Single Spine Salary, who made that happen? This CPP man. When the brand new six - lane Tetteh Quarshie to Mallam Road is opened, who would have made that happen? This CPP man, Papa Kwesi Nduom, Edwumawura! If one CPP man can bring very many good ideas for millions of Ghanaians to benefit from, imagine what could happen if the entire government was put in the hands of the new CPP? “
Dr. Nduom has at every opportunity shown gratitude to the CPP’s Central Committee for given him the official blessing to join the NPP Administration led by former President J. A. Kufuor. He has given thanks to former President J. A. Kufuor for giving him the opportunity to serve his country in important positions of Minister for Economic Planning & Regional Cooperation, Minister for Energy, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission and Chairman of the Millennium Development Authority among others. Dr. Nduom knows and acknowledges the pressures brought upon Mr. Kufuor and the difficulties the former President faced within his own party due to his participation in the government. Dr. Nduom as early as February 2001 faced attack as “Kufuor’s socialist accomplice” and “Kufuor’s Nkrumaist friend”. The Statesman newspaper was a leader in this campaign. The ministers who led the constant and relentless opposition to Dr. Nduom’s being in the NPP Administration know who they are.

Fortunately, no one disputes the fact that Dr. Nduom made very positive contributions and brought innovation and saw to the implementation of the ideas he put on the table as a Minister of State. They all admire his sense of urgency. That is why Ghanaians call him “Mr. Fix It”. That is why when he was in government he was always and regularly ranked as one of the top ministers of state by the public and independent organizations.

We call on the NPP to beware of starting a battle it cannot win. Nana Akomea and media personalities who are known NPP apologists must tread cautiously. One of them called Dr. Nduom a “snake”. We do not believe in insults. We have an arsenal of the great and wonderful achievements of Dr. Nduom in his personal life, private sector and in government waiting to release. To the NPP people who have started this battle, we ask, what did your Nana Akufo-Addo do when he was in government?

Once again, Dr. Nduom appreciates the opportunity given to him by the CPP and former President J. A. Kufuor to serve his country.

Kofi Asamoah-Siaw
Office of Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom
020-8274852
October 23, 2011