"CHASING THE ELEPHANT INTO THE BUSH" is an insider's account of how the governing New Patriotic Party lost power in the closest elections in Africa's history.The writer believes that providing an accurate account will begin the process of correcting the rumours, lies and myths that are out there about the 2008 elections in Ghana.Throughout, the book is liberally sprinkled with quotes and historical references that makes it very informative and interesting.He begins with the state of the nation and the governing party as Ghana approached 2008.He then takes the reader through the NPP primary and his own experiences as a losing candidate.There is candid discussion of the rivalries in the campaign that undermined its effectiveness. He takes the reader inside meetings and quotes some of the key players at key moments in the campaign. There is candid discussion of the roles of the media, the security forces and civil society.The identification of issues and their use in the campaign is discussed thoroughly.While his sympathies are never in doubt, he is very objective and acknowledges the mistakes made by the campaign, the government and the party. He credits the NDC Campaign for doing certain things well.Amongst these are the deployment of President Mills and former President Rawlings as well as Vice-President John Mahama.He reveals the roles of key people, including the President, the Presidential candidate and powerful groups, like the "Kyebi Mafia". He offers candid assessments of all the key players.He suggests reasons for the NPP defeat and the way to recapture power.This will be a very significant first cut and reference point for an account of the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Ghana.

Auszug. � Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

CHASING THE ELEPHANT INTO THE BUSH

THE POLITICS OF COMPLACENCYBy Arthur Kennedy

AuthorHouse

Copyright � 2009 Arthur Kennedy
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-3703-1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................vFOREWORD............................................................................viiINTRODUCTION........................................................................xiiiCHAPTER ONE THE STATE OF THE NATION.................................................1CHAPTER TWO THE STATE OF THE PARTY..................................................5CHAPTER THREE THE NPP PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARRIES.....................11CHAPTER FOUR ASSEMBLING THE CAMPAIGN TEAM...........................................25CHAPTER FIVE THE CAMPAIGN TEAM......................................................33CHAPTER SIX CHOOSING THE RUNNING MATE...............................................57CHAPTER SEVEN THE MANIFESTO.........................................................71CHAPTER EIGHT STRATEGY..............................................................79CHAPTER NINE THE IEA EVENTS.........................................................93CHAPTER TEN CAMPAIGNING.............................................................107CHAPTER ELEVEN LOSING ROUND ONE.....................................................127CHAPTER TWELVE LOSING ROUND TWO.....................................................137CHAPTER THIRTEEN LOSING TAIN IN ACCRA...............................................147CHAPTER FOURTEEN THE SMALL PARTIES..................................................151CHAPTER FIFTEEN THE AFTERMATH OF DEFEAT.............................................159CHAPTER SIXTEEN WHY AND HOW THE NPP LOST............................................161CHAPTER SEVENTEEN THE WAY FORWARD...................................................169

Chapter One

THE STATE OF THE NATION

"Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country"

Former US President John F. Kennedy in his 1961 Inaugural Address

As the nation prepared to vote in 2008, there were a number of factors that pointed to trouble on the horizon despite the undoubted success of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in the administration of the country.

The NPP government had compiled a very enviable record that should have ensured the re-election of any incumbent government.

In the first place, the size of the economy had quadrupled from about 4 to 16 billion USD from 2001 to 2007 while inflation and interest rates declined.

Secondly, extreme poverty had dropped from 39.2% to 28.9%. This clearly showed that the changes in the economy had benefited significant numbers of poor people.

Thirdly, we had introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme that had, according to NHIS officials, given 11.7 million Ghanaians access to health for the first time since the Nkrumah's era. To add to this, the President had secured funding from the British government to support free maternal care for the next decade.

Fourth, new investments in education had increased enrollment at all levels of our educational system. Primary School enrollment, spurred by the Capitation Grant and School Feeding Program had increased by a third. Furthermore, enrollment in Public Universities had doubled while that in the Polytechnics had gone up by half.

Fifth, the NPP Government had undertaken a level of infrastructural constructions that had given us a superb network of roads. Many roads, like the Bole-Bamboi, Madina-Mamfe and the Mallam-Kasoa roads had been completed and many others were under construction.

Lastly, giant strides had been made in our freedom. The "CRIMINAL LIBEL LAW" had been repealed and many agreed that freedom had never had a more reliable friend than the NPP government.

Despite these formidable achievements, there were dark clouds on the horizon.

First, the government had come into office pledging "zero-tolerance" for corruption and in the judgment of many, had failed to deliver. Despite dealing promptly with the Mallam Issah case and passing some anti-corruption laws, many felt that the vim had gone out of the NPP government's anti-corruption crusade.

Second, many of our Ministers and functionaries had become too big for their breeches. Too many lived ostentatiously or dealt with people in a manner they did not appreciate. Perhaps, the group that in the public's mind exemplified this attitude the most were the District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives.

Third, despite the economic progress, we had not been able to create enough jobs and many were complaining that there was "no money in our pockets".

Fourth, despite the significant increase in the strength of the police, there was a perception that the crime rate had gone up.

Fifth, in 2007, the NPP had held a Presidential primary that had offended the sensibilities of many in its display of opulence. Then in 2008, we topped this off with a Parliamentary primary that was acrimonious and led to significant divisions in our party.

Sixth, there was a global economic downturn that was making all incumbents unpopular. This downturn had led to significant increases in the prices of fuel and food that had led to demonstrations in many developing nations, including Egypt, Haiti and Zambia.

Seventh, there was the natural itch for change that had worked for the NPP in 2000 but was working against us in 2008. After eight years, people wanted change.

Eighth, there were policies, initiated or not stopped in 2008 that tended to reinforce the perception that the NPP government was arrogant and uncaring. Amongst these were the failure to reduce the price of petrol significantly, the agreement to purchase presidential jets and the construction of the Jubilee House.

Ninth, the President and the party insisted on the resignation of about eight Senior Minister who were contesting for the party's nomination for the Presidency, depriving the government of some of the best talents in the party. To compound this, the President sacked the National Security Co-ordinator, Mr Francis Poku.

Within the ranks of the NDC, there appeared to be a determination to hold on to what they had.

As usual, there were a lot of voters who did not identify with either party and their votes were going to be crucial in determining the winners of both the Parliamentary and Presidential elections.

Even though the NDC had picked Professor John Evans Atta Mills in 2006, it appeared that he had been rather quiet since his nomination. Apparently, he had spent most of the time after his nomination building bridges to Central and Western Regions and ironing out the kinks in his campaign team.

One factor that played to the advantage of the NDC Candidate was the perception that he had been around the block enough times and deserved it this time. Ironically, the rumours about Prof. Mill's health got him more sympathy.

In retrospect, the signs of impending danger were clearly there if we cared to notice.

Petty traders in Accra and Kumasi were up in arms about being moved from their places of business without adequate plans for alternative places to hawk their wares.

Drivers were up in arms about harassment by the police and could not get relief till it was too late.

And within the NPP, foot-soldiers were complaining to all who cared to listen about their neglect by party and government functionaries....

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