Nduom lauds PNC

The presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2008 general election, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has lauded the leadership and members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the People’s National Convention (PNC) for the decision taken at its meeting on Friday, July 30, 2010 to continue to “pursue a combination of forces with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) to unite the two parties”.

In a statement released over the weekend, Dr. Nduom said although a lot had been said for and against the merger of the two political parties prior to the PNC meeting, he had been encouraged that with all the reservations, the PNC NEC had found it possible to unite the Nkrumaists family.

“I am very much encouraged that with all the reservations expressed by some leading members, the PNC NEC has found it possible to affirm the party’s commitment to uniting the broader CPP family”, adding that the PNC decision offers an indication that the roots of unity were stronger than personal interests.

He stressed that he was encouraged that the ties established in October 1997 when former President Hilla Limann and Mr. Kojo Botsio as co-chairmen of the Elders Council ensured the signing of an irrevocable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to unite the Nkrumaist parties continue to guide leading members towards unity.

“We must implement the MoU signed by the leadership of Nkrumaist parties and affirmed by our elders – former President Limann and Minister Kojo Botsio”, he declared.

In the estimation of Dr. Nduom, thirteen years was enough to bring into fruition the stalled merger between the two Nkrumaists parties and stressed that it was important that all leading members of the PNC and CPP work to make the unity possible.

“We should see the two parties cooperating in many areas including organizing in the field. Leaders from the two parties must seek each other out and present a common front on national issues from here on”, Dr. Nduom charged the parties.

Prior to the bold decision by the PNC, fears had been expressed about name and symbol with some people canvassing privately to be given national executive positions in the combined party should the merger succeed.

And although according to Dr. Nduom, others expressed fear about being able to hold on to administrative positions they hold and benefits that accrue to them today, he was happy that the PNC did not renege in affirming its commitment to the merger of the two parties.

He urged the leadership of the CPP to re-shuffle its Shadow Cabinet to take on PNC member and was very pleased that the GCPP has a seat at the CPP Cabinet table.

“From now on, let the two and the others become one and I am confident that whatever sacrifice is made will be generously rewarded by Ghanaians. Both sides must be willing to make sacrifices to achieve this important goal to unite the family once again. I encourage my comrades in the CPP to remember the sacrifices made by Imoro Egala, Nana Okutwer Bekoe, Krobo Edusei, Kojo Botsio and others for the PNP to come to power”, he declared.

He reminded the leadership of the two parties, particularly Chairmen Alhaji Ramadan of the PNC and Ladi Nylander of the CPP as well as General Secretaries, Bernard Mornah, Ivor Greenstreet and others who lead the PNC and the CPP to etch their names on the fabric of the CPP family forever to follow the footsteps of their fore-bearers.

He pledged to continue to work diligently to help create a positive atmosphere within which the PNC and the CPP can negotiate productively and with a sense of urgency.

Dr. Nduom again reminded the elected national executive members of the PNC and the CPP that “this is the time to put the last piece of the puzzle in place to create a credible, competitive political party capable of winning power and many seats in parliament”.