Nduom: I am Out

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 09 December 2008

DR Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) who was tipped by many to cause an upset in the general election, conceded an early defeat following poor showing by his party.
He threw in the towel at about 11:30am yesterday when only 30 per cent of the results were out.
“I accept the results of the election and encourage others to do same,” he said, adding that Ghana is more important than the CPP or any other party.
Dr. Nduom who was generally seen as the “kingmaker” depending on which of the two leading parties he would support should the presidential election run into a second round, commended the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), the biggest opposition party, for getting most of the votes.
“The people of Ghana have spoken loud and clear. They have made it clear that they want a change,” he said, and urged the NPP and NDC to respect the confidence the people have in them to lead the nation.
He also congratulated the other contesting parties and the only independent candidate. The other small parties and the Independent candidate Kwesi Amoafo Yeboah, garnered more votes in many areas than the CPP which was expected to be a third political force.
The only significant achievement by the party was the Jomoro constituency where Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, toppled the incumbent NDC MP, Lee Ocran.
But Dr. Nduom defended the performance of the party, saying “what everybody needs to understand is that we have done well.”
A year ago, he said, not too many took the CPP serious, but with a great message and a purposeful campaign, Ghanaians have acknowledged that the party has a lot to offer.Dr. Nduom said the party was constrained by inadequate resources which affected its campaign.
As a move to keep the party in shape, he recommended to the party executive to convene a National Congress to strategise for the way forward and to especially retain the numerous members they have managed to win, adding, “we now need to build a greater “sense of purpose and unity in the party. “
In addition, he said the CPP will form a “shadow administration” in January to vigorously pursue its political agenda.”
He thanked the campaign team, the CPP parliamentary candidates, his family and all those who helped to re-energise, for the party for the support.
He did not indicate which of the two leading parties he would support should the race enter a run-off.
“There is a lot ahead of me, “I am determined to work to build the CPP,” he said.