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| Exposed: Faces behind new political force |
1/11/2006 |
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Exposed: Faces behind new political force
... Obed, Nduom, Antwi-Danso, Jonah ... In recent weeks, newspapers such as The Statesman, Harunna Atta’s Accra Daily Mail, Ben Ephson’s Daily Dispatch, Gina Blay’s Daily Guide and the Palaver, have alluded to the emergence of a third or more political parties to challenge the dominance of the National Democratic Congress on the left and the New Patriotic Party on the right.
Despite spirited denials from some of the personalities involved, The Statesman can report that in the last few days an urgent process of consolidation has been set in motion. The purpose is simple. To form a new single, formidable, credible centre-left political party, to give Ghanaians an alternative to the two main political parties, whose dislike for each other is seen as most unhealthy for the positive growth of Ghana’s democracy.
The new impetus was presented by last week’s resignation of Obed Yao Asamoah from the NDC. Before that, Minister for Public Sector reform, Paa-kwesi Nduom was, as disclosed by the paper (Monday 12 – Tuesday 13 December 2005), canvassing support for a new party (code-named the Freedom Party) which aimed “together like-minded people from all parts of Ghanaian society, activists from the existing political parties and others who are looking for a credible alternative that will be competitive in the 2008 elections.”
Supporting the CPP-MP in this venture is Mike Eghan, who recently resigned from the CPP executive.
Another group, as disclosed by the Daily Dispatch, included Vladimir Antwi-Danso, a university don; Kow Ansah, owner of TV Africa; Agyeman Badu Akosah, head of the Ghana Health Service and Bright Akwetey, a lawyer.
Dr Asamoah, according to our investigations, is working with some exiting constituency chairpersons and other regional executives of the NDC to join forces with the Reform Party.
Crucial to these negotiations, our sources disclose, is former security capo, Capt Kojo Tsikata (retired).
Our checks further indicate that former P/NDC Finance Minister Kwesi, Botchwey is a persuasive voice in getting the Obed group and the Reform Party to join forces with the others to form one formidable centre-left party.
Sam Jonah, former President of mining giant Anglogold Ashanti (who holds an honourary British Knighthood), is suspected to be a major force encouraging the creation of a decent competitive political force to the ruling NPP. Sources say he has held a series of discussion with Dr Nduom over the matter.
Source:
The Statesman
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