"Delays have dangerous ends."

- William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part I

The following is an abbreviated transcript of the proceedings:

Yaw Ahenkorah in Argentina
Freeman House Prefect '85
What are your views on the NDC's divestiture program?

H. Ofori (Host):
I'm working on it Kofi. Just go ahead and entertain us until he gets here. I know you can make us all laugh!

Kofi die hard kukrudite in Minnesota:
Greetings J.A, how are you as a leader of our party making use of the human resource like the Pianims, Akufo-Addos and co?

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Good evening Sir! As a follow up, can your give us some specifics concerning your acclaimed attention to the rural areas. How far have you gone and how successful. Why the recent lose of a seat in the Northern region. Thanks

H. Ofori (Host):
Ladies & Gentlemen, Please bear with us. He will be here shortly. Thank you for your patience.

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Come on Harry make Amanfoo shine!!! This is not GTV you know hahahha

Senanu:
what are the plans to combat the trickery of the incumbent government?

Robert in New Jersey:
I heard if NDC gets 2/3 of the parliament they can probably change the constitution. I will like to know if this is true or not?

Robert in Midwest:
What is your message to students in Legon, Sir?

Kofi:
Greetings again J.A, Can you clear the air on the supposed constitution ammendment? "We no go sit down kraa".

K. Bawuah in Richmond:
I would like to know your position on the independence of our central bank and also whether you think it i wise to appoint members to a central bank open market operation. The members would be in charge of achieving targets in order to promote higher employment, price stability, and economic growth.

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Sir, as a follow-up, can you tells us how believable the numbers we are receiving from the IMF-NDC eco. policy are. How is it possible to maintain 5% growth with such high interest rates and 10- 15% inflation. How certain should Ghanaians be about the perennial 5% growth that as been "assigned" to or GDP? Thanks

H. Ofori (Host):
Thank you for your patience, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Kufuor will be here shortly.

Kofi die hard kukrudu in Minnesota:
As we await the man, so what do all you guys think we can do to make victory 2000 a reality knowing the strength of our political foe the NDC?

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Frankly, Kofi, it is looking like a lost cause. My impression is that not much has been done in the past year. Furthermore, we have lost a lot of opportunities to bring the PNDC cabal to its knees, namely, the energy crisis, the $50M Abacha deal, the legon workers crisis the, student crisis, the hospital crisis, and even the Gulf stream jet corruption issue. NPP has just issued press releases and nothing more. These are all issues that we call "wedge issues" ( for those fans of USA Billy Clinton politics) which u should deepen to render the PNDC immobile. Thereby showing how inept and corrupt they are, and etching in the minds of Ghanaians the need for an alternative. None of this has been done, and with the illegal machinary that they have, it frankly looks bleak for us. Poor leadership n'est ce pas?

K. Bawuah in Richmond:
What would you do to stop the free fall of the Cedi? Would you adopt some form of dirty floating exchange rate where there are periodic interventions?

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Sir, will you retain the current central bank Governor (Dr. Duffour). What are you looking for in a central bank governor?

Kofi die hard kukrudite in Minnesota :
people lets start singing the party anthem as we await Wofa J.A , the gentle giant ... eeshie eeh , eeshie ehh, eeshie ehhm eeshie rado rado rado . Kukrudu , kukrudu !!!!!!

Charles Brobbey in Virginia :
Would it be in the best interest of the party to give more visibility to several MP's by campaining together or holding press conferences with them. It is my view that there is too much emphasis on the Presidency to the detriment of parliament.

H. Ofori (Host):
Patrick, you keep posting your messages at the wrong place. It may not be seen by Mr. Kufuor. You are posting them all as replies to other people's questions. Please read the instructions on the page again.

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Harry, they are all follow-up questions. Besides I read you instructions very well, nana. I believe U said if we had similar questions we should use the reply. Thanks. I hope I no deviate oooo shiii.

Kofi die hard kukrudite in Minnesota:
hello J.A,
1. Is there a flicker of a chance of an alliance come December 2000?
2. Do we have to wait till you become President before we the "foreign based" Ghanaian voters can exercise our franchise??

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Sir, seeing how disastrous your former Alliance was, and the financial problems it caused the NPP, can you rule out such a course. Secondly, you inability to show leadership in the Concordia Affaire is being read in some circles as a indication of the sort of puerile government you will run. Can you respond to these critics, sir?

Kofi die hard kukrudite in Minnesota:
John Kofi Agyekum Diawuoh Kufuor, is J.A finally around? Are you here yet, J.A?

Patrick Owusu in New York:
If this is a taste of the press conference delays that journalist will face in a Kufour administration, then I weep for our brethren of the pen. This is worse than trying to interview Mummar Gaddafi.

Dr Akwasi Amponsah of Richmond VA :
Greeting fellow Amanfoo!I am a clinical assistant professor of medicine and public health at the Medical College of Virginia. My main concern is the exodus of Ghanaian physician to Western world. What are your plans to address the needs of physicians at home?

Yaw Ahenkorah in Argentina
Freeman House Prefect '85
Are there any plans to bring Dr. Wereko Brobbey's UGM back into the NPP fold ? Can you also assure as you will not entertain an alliance with the the Reform Party?

H. Ofori (Host)
Seniors, Mr. Kufuor is still not here yet. Stay for a little while, please.

H. Ofori (Host)
Ladies and Gentleman, JAK just arrived. Please wait and let him answer the questions before we post anymore. Thank you

Patrick Owusu in New York:
Hellelujia!!!

Yaw Ahenkorah in Argentina
Freeman House Prefect '85
Can you outline some contributions that Ghanaians overseas can make towards the 2000 campaign besides financial and advice one how we can intiate this from here ?

J.A Kufuor:
I will suggest you contact the local officials in Argentina and else where to let them the know the real story of Ghana not the public relations gimmicks of the incumbent Government. Additionally, you need to familiarize yourself with the issues, pronouncements and policy proposals of the NPP.

Patrick Owusu in New York
I exercise my right to revise my statement. Mr. Kufuor has set an example for all future Presidents, cyber-savvy, like TV for US Pres. Kennedy, will be a crucial step to the Castle. At least Mr. Kufuor gives press conferences, what about Jeremiah (hate press) Rawlings?!!

Kumnipa
I have followed with keen interest the talk about funding for the next elections and am wondering what structures the NPP has in place to tap resources from supporters both at home and abroad?

J.A Kufuor:
First, the Party has an elected Treasurer, Kwesi Brew, charged with the finances of the Party. Second, the party has a fundraising committee which is charged to raise funds. Third I have my own finance adviser whose role is to help me raise funds for the party. The local chapters and branches all over the country and the world have similar structures and individuals charged with the same responsibilities to raise funds at their levels. Several structres and designs have been putin place to raise funds for the party and the campaign and they have begun to yield very impressive results. Of course we must continue to come out with ideas to improve on our performance. I am convinced that with your help we will raise enough funds to match the resources of the Government. I have travelled all over the country and the world to appeal to you to sacrifice a little more to help us to meet this objective. If we tap the efforts of all our supporters and with the hard work that I see is coming from the Officers and supporters of the Party, I do not see how we will fail. So keep on with your support.

Patrick Owusu in New York
Sir, it is a major conern amongst several staunch NPP supporters that you and the present executive have scoundered the past year, which was initially orchestrated to get a jump start on the NDC cabal. What are your views on that, Sir?

J.A Kufuor:
Thank you for your concern for the NPP to win the next elections. I want to assure you that we didn't scounder the last year. During the past year, a campaign masterplan was put together and adopted by the highest decision making body of the party. Accordingly all the necessary structures and committees that need to be in place for an effective campaign have been put in place, and the committees have already started working. Among the committees are the policy advisory committee which is coming in due course. Another committee which has been working vigorously during the past year is the National Campaign Committee. This committee, for example, is supervising the setting up of campaign committees at all the 20,000 polling stations in the country. They are also training supporters who will monitor the elections at the polling station level. One of its main deliberations over the period is trying to set up a system to forestall rigging and intimidation that happened in the past elections. The finance and fundraising committee is already working to raise funds so the actual campaign can start in earnest in the early part of year 2000. Other committees eg research and publicity are similarly working. I have also been travelling extensively both in and out of Ghana over the last year securing relationships that will redound to the good of the party in the coming campaign. The idea of an early selection of the flagbearer was never to immediately make the party rush around on the campaign trail. It was, however, to enable us to have an adequate preparation for the actual campaign and this is exactly what we are doing. Please call me at 973-242-4782 so you can talk to me personally to assure you that I am answering your call.

Patrick Owusu in New York
Thank you very much Sir, for your detailed and candid answer. I'm very satisfied.

Kofi die hard Kukrudu
Dada J.A,
Please as you campaign for the highest office of our land, NEVER relax till it is over. God be with you and we are also with you in spirit even though we can't vote from here.

Kofi Boateng in Texas
Mr. Kuffuor,
When you go to the villages, just don't tell them "I will do this... I will do that". Rather ask for advice and let them mount the podium. They will have a feeling of ownership in the party and do all the campaigning for you.

J.A Kufuor:
Thank you for the advice. I encourage you to continue to provide me with your advice during the campaign and beyong when by the Grace of God and with your support, we win the elections.

Kofi Boateng in Texas
Advice from www.ghanaweb.com:
I reproduce below, an advice which was given by one of our forumers form the above site.

Author: Rockie (spc-isp-ott-uas-25-9.sprint.ca)
Date: 10-18-1999 20:46

Dear Honourable. Kuffuor:
"If you don't know WHERE you are going, and even, if you do know but you don't know HOW to get there, you'll probably end up NOWHERE." J.A. I know you are smart and intelligent, but what I don't know is whether you are a good salesman. Ghana is a small country but a complex society. Consider this Strategic Plan. 1. YOU MUST BE A PROBLEM-SOLVER: The electorate is looking for someone to solve their problems. I know you have the tools so keep stressing your problem-solving skills during your campaign and concentrate in the rural areas. 2. TELL AS IT IS: Before you set forth to any rural area to deliver your message, send a decoy there prior to your visit to gather information about the most pressing problems in the towns. Once you are aware of the town's problems, use illustrations specific and tailored to their needs. 3. CULTURAL AWARENESS: Let the electorates know that you appreciate their culture and that we are all equal. For example, if you visit Krobo area, speak their language in perhaps, two sentences. They will appreciate you! 4. THE GATEKEEPERS: In every village you visit, make sure you seek out the chiefs and do some PR work with them. These people have much influence over the villagers. 5. CODE OF DISCIPLINE: Don't wait till you get into power before you start to develop the "code of discipline" that will guide your government. Spit them out during your campaign. 6. THE ISSUES: Do not scratch just the surface of the issues at hand. Tear them apart to differentiate yourself from the incumbent. 7. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT: Tell them what your performance yardsticks will entail. Be sincere and tell them of short and long-term solutions! 8. THE INCUMBENT FACTOR: Do not panic, and you'll be fine. The "one man one bicycle" factor is just cosmetic!

God Bless You.............Rockie

Kofi Boateng in Texas
More Advice from www.ghanaweb.com:

Here is a piece of advice I also posted for you on the same website sometime ago. When you get back to Ghana, try to secure internet access. My email address is kayboat@hotmail.com

Author: Kofi Boateng (1Cust209.tnt2.austin2.tx.da.uu.net)
Date: 10-08-1999 09:12

Hello (aspiring) President Kuffuor (or any NPP "big man" who may be reading this),

I have been following the Ghanaian campaigning "methods" for some time now and I realize that, when you guys go to the villages, you do not ask for suggestions and advice... but you just tell them " I will do this... I will do that.. etc".

Disadvantages of the System decribed above:

1.Your audience does not feel a sense of "ownership" in your party.They feel like a distant observer and would probably be thinking along these lines.. "This aspiring president thinks he knows it all...."

2. Your audience is not given any reason to think you respect them. If you respected them, you would ask for their advice.

Proposal/Tip :

When you go to the villages, allot a lot of time to get feedback from the ordinary folks. Let them mount the platform themselves and do the campaigning for you. Let them really "feel" that the "power" belongs to them. Trust me, this works.

During my days of student politics .... when my spies identified any area where there was a lot of opposition to my candidacy, I would simply visit these people and ask for advice. This was usually my first line...."I am here to see you guys because I believe you are among the wisest on campus and there is no way I will have a successful campaign without your advice and input...."

Trust me, it works. The victory was landslide. Some voted for simply because of the respect I showed them and not because they thought I was the best candidate.

Conclusion: When you go back to Ghana, just go to as many villages as you can and ask for advice from the people. They will feel honoured and it will show in their votes. Be humble as you can infront of them. What more, be accessible, let the people have access to you and not think you are some big man up there....

J.A Kufuor:
Thank you for the advice. I know about Ghanaweb. My host, Kofi Ghana (Max Jumah) has told me all about that forum. I have a laptop. I'll visit. The only site on Ghana I know is prempeh.org. I'll get to know more about the web through the Prempeh College website links.

Alex
if you will the election how will you keep the military from plottting a coup, as in Limann's case?

J.A Kufuor:
The military is part of the country. They have suffered the effects of the bad government of the PNDC. Just as those of you who are not in Ghana are suffering from the effects of the mismanagement of the country, everybody in Ghana, including even some of the NDC supporters is feeling the effects of this Government. As a result, evrybody is calling for change including the military and the police. Dont forget that I have the support of the rank and file of the military and the police. The NPP beat the NDC at the last election at all the camps and barracks and we are going to beat them again in 2000. Because we are going to put in place that will make the military a vety professional organization that will reward hard work and present opportunities for personal growth while incorporating its mission to the overall objectives of the country. It will be a win-win situation for everybody. The military can be made a very respected institution once again and the men and women in uniform will once again walk with their chest out and positive contributors of our country.

Alex
Mr. webmaster, I dialed the number supposedly supplied by mr. kuffuor, I was sorry to wake a lady up who said she didn't know his hotel #, what's up with that?

J.A Kufuor:
The number is the correct number. It happens to be the number of my host.

Alex
I was just playing with your head Mr. President. I know its the right number. Just cracking a joke on my future President....the first person to pull a joke on President Kufuor.

Kofi die hard kukrudite in MN
Hi J.A,
I am just waiting for replies to my earlier comments.

Dr. Robert Mensah-Biney in N. Carolina
Ramseyer House '68
In view of the current crisis at AGC due to bad management and investment decisions by Ghanaian Executives, what will be his mining policy if he is elected as President?

J.A Kufuor:
To Alex and all who have questions waiting, I have had to suspend this all important question and answer forum, and attend to an emergency. I will answer all questions in due course. Thank you.

Kofi Boateng in Texas
What's going on webmaster? At least we deserve an explanation as to Kufuor's sudden departure. This is what accountability is all about. Was he really on line in the first place? There must me something fishy going. If you can't deliver don't promise. This was supposed to be chat and he was late by one hour. That Ghana big man attitude must cease immediately, with all respect. He should learn how to be on time 'cos we don't have time to waste.

H. Ofori (Host):
Kofi, The man said he has to repsond to an emergency. Why don't we give him the benefit of a doubt and let him come back and answer the questions. Please be patient, because you'll never know what kind of emergency it is.

Besides, in his reply to Patrick's "Elections" question, he passed on his phone number for all to call and verify it is him. Why don't you dial the number and talk to him.

Kofi Boateng in Texas
Okay webmaster. I had been waiting for the live chat all weekend that is why I am kind of disapointed. I will excercise patience as suggested though. Thanks for the clarification.

H. Ofori (Host):
Thank you for your understanding Kofi. The man is here until the 21st. So you will never know....this program may even be repeated in its entirety. Lets pray that whatever emergency he had to attend to, it went well.

J.A Kufuor:
I am sorry I had to break for an emergency appointment at around 8.45PM. The response to this session is overwhelming. I intend to answer as many questions as possible before I leave. So expect to hear some of my responses during the day on Tueaday . Thank you very much for your support.

Kwadwo Boahen in Calgary:
If there is anything that the NPP should learn from history, it is theway the pary and it's predecessors (PFP) organizes itself. The tactics of the NDC is going to the villages and organizing from bottom up in conttrast to the NPP strategy of top down. To win election in Ghana, one has to go to the villages and talk to the peole and change their their mindset. That was what costs the NPP their defeat in the last elections and I dont know whether they are learning history or learning from history. The party suffers from too much academics and intellectuals who are not prepared to go and associate with the people in the villages. If care is not taken, the same situation will repeat itself in the 2000 election. I dont want to hear any cry of allege rigging in the next election. The secret is just concentrate in the villages and since the people are looking for a change, it will work this time. Good luck in all your campaigns. Kwadwo Boahen, Calgary Canada.

Kojo Opoku in the Bronx, New York :
Hon. Mr. Kuffour, My question is that, if you become the president of our dear country, what measures are you going to employ to curb the deterioration of our universities and the and the amount of money that is being charged to enter into the university?

Ghanaians and Amanfoo were the first to ever bring a (potential) world-leader online to discuss issues with the citizenry. It was a first! Not even the inventors of the internet has attempted such a thing. Credit goes to Senior Maxwell Jumah (who hosted JA Kufuor), and Senior David Gyimah (who tried his best to get the program announced to the program announced to the 250 million listening audience of the BBC World Service). Thank you, Gentlemen, well done.

The feeling of elation that enveloped the average Ghanaian forumer on that day is one that Mr. Kufuor will remember even in his dotage.