The Ghanaian Journal

By: Samuel Kofi Ampah

Knowing the task ahead and the need for a unified front, executives and patriots of once a great party have decided to smoke the peace pipe and ensure that peace does prevail in their party. A leading member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr. Kweku Osafo on Friday told the Ghanaian Journal that, there is no disagreement between the organization wing, the Patriots and the national executives of the CPP as reported by the “Chronicle” a local newspaper.

According to him, what was published was the irony of what really transpired. He said it was a suggestion raised by the Patriots, whether it is possible for the national executives to hold two different congresses, one to elect the flagbearer and the other, national executives.

The report by the Chronicle said their investigations had established that the two groups are not at peace as far as the proposed time for the election of flagbearer. The Dr. Edmund Dele- led national executive is crusading that the upcoming August Congress of the party should serve as an occasion for election of both national officers and flagbearer of the party.

The Patriots had also voiced a loud resonant ‘NO’ to the proposition of the national executive and have pointed out clearly that a flagbearer should only be elected at another party congress three or four months after August Assembly.

In a his reaction, Dr. Kweku Osafo thought through the possibilities, if it is not workable to do the two congresses, then the executives should make sure that amendments are made or effected at the congress so that specifically they can ask for two congresses in the future.

He said the national executives when elected will have the authority over the party and will intend organize for the flagbearership and party chairmanship elections.

As to whether it is necessary to hold two congresses in one party, Dr. Sarfo stated that people say that when both the executives including the chairman of the party and the flagbearer are elected, authority is divided because immediately people look up to the presidential candidate to look for funds to support the elections.

According to him, when the executives, chairman and flagbearer are elected at the same time it breeds confusion.

“But when the party’s structures are in place and the chairman of the party and other executives are in control of the party, it is easier then to organize a congress”, he said.

Dr. Sarfo said, this will not bring division of responsibilities between both the flagbearer and the executives who have just been elected.

He belived that the spited Nkrumaist should come together for next year’s election, explaining that the separated parties so far do not have structures in place, and that the CPP is ahead in terms structures.

“This is better for others without condition, because changing symbols and congresses to approve is not going to help anyone it would be better for all if we come together”.

He explained that, the party is not a simple one and that there are group both internally and externally who do not want the party to go forward because of the nationalist policy that has been envisaged in the programmes of the party.