Akufo-Addo tops NPP race in BNI polls

A nationwide survey by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) conducted in the last three months has put Abuakwa South MP, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo up as the man to beat in the race to succeed President J. A. Kufuor.

The survey, according to the Ghanaian Observer, was commissioned by the national security apparatus.

The results of the BNI survey, according to the paper, put Nana Akufo-Addo in a comfortable lead with Alan 'Cash' Kyeremanten in second position. Veep Aliu Mahama is in third position.

One of the nationwide BNI surveys (Eastern Regional BNI Report) which is dated 2nd August, 2007, and has been sent as a memorandum from the Eastern Regional Bureau of the BNI to the Director of BNI under the subject RE: ASSESSMENT OF ALL NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP) PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS gives Akufo-Addo 30 percent support in the region.

The Eastern Region Report rates the aspirants in the following words: "For now, the chances of these Presidential Aspirants in the Region have been rated in order of their chances as follows":
I. Nana Addo Danquah AKUFO-ADDO
II. Alan KYEREMATEN
III. Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA
IV. Dr. Kwame ADDO KUFUOR
V. Boakye KYEREMATENG AGYARKO
VI. Dr. Kofi Konadu APRAKU
VII. Yaw OSAFO MAAFO
VIII. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong BOATENG
IX. Jake OBETSEBI-LAMPTEY
X. FeIix 0wusu AGYAPONG
XI. Dan Kwaku BOTWE
XII. Hackman Owusu-AGYEMAN
XIII. Prof. Mike Aaron OQUAYE
XIV. Capt. (Rtd) Nkrabea EFFAH-DARTEH
XV. Papa Owusu ANKOMAH
XVI. Kwabena AGYAPONG
XVII. Dr. Arthur KENNEDY

The Eastern Regional Report says of Nana Akufo-¬Addo: "He stands tall among all the Presidential Aspirants. He is seen as a candidate whose turn is to take over from President Kufuor. He is rated high based on his political maturity and acumen, good educational background, power of oratory and rich working experience partly due to his legal background. He commands [30%] support in the coverage area ..."

Continuing, the report says of Nana Akufo-Addo: "Considered as the most seasoned and astute of all the NPP presidential aspirants, Akufo-Addo seems to lead the packs (sic) ahead of the rest with serious challenges from only Alan Kyeremanten. The pivotal role of Akufo-Addo in the affairs of the NPP and appreciable success as Minister since 2001 are seen as factors that would propel victory at congress, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

Of Alan Kyeremanten, the BNI Report from the Eastern Region states: "He follows Nana Akufo-Addo in order of popularity among the people in the coverage area. His political strategy of always meeting the constituencies (sic) executives and their polling station chairmen has also enhanced his popularity in the area. He has been able to command about twenty percent of the people due to his physical stature, humility, good sense of humour and ability to freely interact with the people."

The report continues thus: "Seen as the "darling boy" of incumbent President John Agyekum Kufuor, Kyeremanten is also tipped to be at the forefront in the race to the flagbearership of the NPP for the 2008 general elections. According to some party faithful, Alan has exhibited some admirable characters (sic) of a gentleman."

"The majority of the populace also see him as being successful as a minister. In addition to the above is the overbearing influence of the known liking President Kufuor has for him. It is expected that President Kufuor will bring his influence on the delegates to the advantage of Kyeremanten when the NPP goes to congress," the report added.

In concluding on Alan Kyeremanten, the report says "Kyeremanten however needs to make his presence felt more in the Asuogyaman Constituency, where he is not known to have visited since declaring his intention to become a presidential candidate. He is alleged to have had some problems with Kofi Osei¬ Ameyaw, MP for the area who was formerly a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, President's Special Initiatives and Private Sector Development."

The Ghanaian Observer said it is holding on to segments on Veep Aliu Mahama, Dr. Addo Kufuor and the others and will be releasing them in subsequent publications.

Sources close to Alan Kyeremanten who have seen the BNI reports say the man who has been lately referred to as 'Alan Cash' is content with what the BNI survey has yielded.

Akufo-Addo's camp is also content with the report except that insiders say the former Foreign Minister sees the survey results as a 'call to action.' "This means as we have always known that we are being looked at and are the target of all the rest, we must intensify the campaign on all fronts," aides quoted Nana Addo as saying on being informed about the BNI survey.

Source: Ghanaian Observer