Nduom ‘Preaches’ Against Insults, Personal Attacks

Perhaps, a Bible was what was lacking and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the former Minister for Public Sector Reform, would have passed for a preacher when he addressed members of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) last Wednesday at the inauguration of the “Nduom For President” campaign in Accra.

Smartly dressed in an all-white outfit, Dr. Nduom stood behind a wooden podium that was donned in CPP colours, took a glance at his audience, gazed into the open skies and raised a solemn Christian song in Fante, which his listeners sang with him, turning the hitherto political atmosphere into a religious one.

In his address, Dr. Nduom spoke against the politics of insults, unconstructive criticisms and personal attacks. He said he would bring something more positive into Ghanaian politics.

“I don’t have time to insult or to blame past governments and insult people. I want to have time to find solutions. I would not have time to say J.J. (Rawlings) is a bad man or Kufuor is a bad man. Rawlings came and has done what he could do. President Kufuor is doing what he can do. If you have not been in government, you may not know the challenges there. I have been there and I know what to do. Let’s forget about the blame game and think about solutions”, he urged.

Dr. Nduom said though he wanted to be President of Ghana on the ticket of the CPP, he would never say anything negative about his rivals who also want to contest for the Presidency on the same ticket.

He mentioned Lawyer Bright Akwetey, Dr. Kweku Safo and Prof. Badu Akosah, as people of value who have something to offer this country.

Dr. Nduom said he was only in a healthy competition with the above-named politicians and that they are not enemies.

He described competition as a good thing that makes one stronger and smarter.

“In the end, we would all unite and forge ahead. What we need is someone who can implement solutions with a sense of urgency”, he added.

The former Public Sector Reform Minister, who is the Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abriem (KEEA) Constituency, said the CPP had become a better party than it was before.

He said a lot of very experienced and influential people were now interested in taking executive positions in the party at all levels.

“We are proud of our heritage and want to use the principle of the CPP that says we are here for Ghana.

“Nobody can accuse us of belonging to one tribe or the other. One of our basic principles is that Ghana should be for Ghanaians”, he articulated.

In a related development, General (Rtd.) E.K. Eskine, a strong CPP activist, has thrown his weight behind the “Nduom For President” campaign.

The retired General said he was supporting Dr. Nduom in his quest to lead the CPP because he (Nduom) has what it takes to lead the country to a rapid development.

The ceremony was attended by a lot of CPP loyalists, including Prof. George Hagan, Mr. Mike Eghan and Mr. Felix Amoah.

Nduom’s Campaign Office is to explain the New CPP concept, mobilize support for more people to show interest in contesting for leadership positions in the CPP and also to market himself as a presidential aspirant for the party.

The Crusading GUIDE has gathered that Dr. Nduom was readying himself to officially launch his presidential bid at Saltpond in the Central Region.