Accra, Aug. 10, GNA- The Youth for Nduom 2012 Exploratory Committee has given the 2008 flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Paa Kwesi Nduom, the green light to pursue his presidential ambition since there was undoubting hope for success in the 2012 elections.
The Committee, which was commissioned by Dr Nduom some three months ago to undertake a thorough research to ascertain the viability of his presidential candidature, said there was substantial evidence on the grounds that he could be a better President if certain issues and gaps were promptly addressed by the party at all levels.
The research was to also determine whether or not Ghanaians believed Dr Nduom could be a better President of Ghana, find out reasons why he lost the 2008 Presidential elections, determine if he should contest the 2012 elections and also determine what should be done to ensure victory in the elections.
Mr Richard Nii Amarh, Spokesperson of the Committee, at a press conference to present findings and recommendations of the research in Accra on Wednesday, said the research revealed a widespread recognition and admiration of his leadership style during his days as a Cabinet Minister in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He also mentioned his role in the introduction of the National Identification System, the New Pension System, his role in the oil discovery, Public Sector Reforms including the Single Spine Salary Structure as well as accessing the Millennium Challenge Account.
According to him, Dr Nduom’s instrumental role both in Parliament and his constituency as the Member for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem were all appreciated by a large majority of Ghanaians as their reasons for the call on him to relentlessly contest for the winning race in the 2012 general elections.
Mr Amarh said the Committee however urgently recommends the inclusion of more youths and the use of more innovative methods and means to get its messages across to the electorates.
He said the youth must be empowered to go on outreach programmes including focused, consistent and door-to-door type of activities while focusing on relationships with chiefs and people of the various communities to ensure constant growth of support base from now till December 2012.
It further recommended the acquisition or creation of a strong media team that would be responsible for comprehensive information dissemination in respect to “sale” of Presidential candidate by emphasizing on his personal achievements and leadership style and also ensuring strong unity among its membership.
He said a robust and effective communication or education on CPP policies, strengthening of the polling station organization, infusion of the youth into the leadership positions in the party at all levels were all critical decisions that needed to be taken to ensure success for the party in the 2012 elections.
He stressed on the urgent need for the CPP to go for Congress so as to settle all grievances that come with internal competition and also put in place a fundraising committee to source for funds for the activities of the party to pave way for stronger competition in the 2012 general elections.
Mr Amarh said the team found out that various reasons including the Ghanaian perception that Dr Nduom was not ready yet for the position because he had just entered into the Presidential slot and as such must wait for his turn, and the seemingly betrayal of Dr Nduom by executive party functionaries accounted for his loss in the 2008 Presidential elections.
He cited the late start campaign by Dr Ndoum and the CPP and the ineffectiveness of many of the Parliamentary candidates at the grass root because they were viewed to be either too weak or lacked resources to compete effectively, as some of the major setback in the last elections.
“Vehicles T-shirts, banners, billboards and party paraphernalia needed to run a strong election were not enough. People were demanding for resources but it was not forthcoming”.
Mr Amarh said the research further revealed biases from certain senior practitioners of radio and television media against the CPP, adding, the media “war” in terms of advocacy was simply not enough.
The Committee indicated that Ghanaians seem to be disappointed in both the NDC and NPP administrations and are looking forward to an alternative which the CPP could fit into if the party would work on uniting its membership and strengthen both internal and external machineries to campaign vigorously to order to achieve the expected results.
