Accra, Sept. 11, GNA - Mr Kwasi Baidoo, an Information Technology and Management Consultant, on Thursday announced his candidature to contest the position of the General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP).

Mr Baidoo contests the position with the incumbent Prof Nii Noi Dowuona, and Mr Ganiyu Akani Balungu, a former Trade Unionist, at the Party's General Congress, scheduled for September 20, 2003 at the University of Ghana, Legon.

Mr Baidoo said as General Secretary, he would strengthen the rank and file of the party.

"I will also embark on a massive membership drive and strengthen the Executive at the grassroots for popular involvement in the Party's, activities, "Mr Baidoo said, in Accra, at a press conference. He said if elected, his day- to-day administration would not be restricted only to the issuance of directives to Party Executives, but would supply the supply the Party Leadership with informed materials for policy decisions to achieve the Party's aspirations.

Mr Baidoo, who contested on the ticket of the Party for the Parliamentary Seat of Ejisu Juaben Constituency in the 2000 elections, said he would be urged on by his recognition of the interplay of party organs to heal any cracks that might have appeared in its structural layout.

The candidate said although he lost the Party Secretary-ship position at the 1999 congress, he continued to work with the incumbent Prof Nii Noi Dowuona in the interest of the party.

He said when elected General Secretary, he would get the party's Education Directorate to fashion out socialist policies, taking into account the present circumstances of a globalised world and embark on the education of party members and the general public.

In an apparent reference to current debate over the sale of some state enterprises, Mr Baidoo said the nation had not given the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government a blank cheque to sell State enterprises.

He said the CPP would offer a better alternative to the sale of State owned ventures, and consequently organise a referendum for a national decision to be taken on the sale of such enterprises. Mr Baidoo dismissed, for now, any alliance with other political parties for the 2004 general election, saying the CPP for now, was going solo. By the CPP's constitution, the General Secretary is the Head of Administration and responsible for the overall day-to-day administration of the Party. The General Secretary is also one of the eight Members of the National Leadership of the Party.

CPP is financially sound to contest 2004 elections

Accra, Sept.11, GNA - Mr Kwasi Baidoo, an aspirant to the position of General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP) has stated that, the Party is financially sound to compete and win next year's general election.

Addressing a news conference in Accra on Thursday, where he announced his candidature to the position of General Secretary, Mr Baidoo said:

"The CPP is ready with money to match NPP and NDC dollar for dollar to win the election."

He, however, said for the party to win more votes, it has to re-orient its vision.

Mr Baidoo said, "the party under my leadership as a General Secretary, will re-orient the vision and members, fashion out the party's Socialist ideas and embark on globalised policies to promote national development".

Mr Kwesi Baidoo said, as a full blooded CPP and a member of the Central Committee, he had been a key figure in the party's restructuring up to date.

"I am vying for this position because of my vast experience in the handling of the internal affairs for a long time. I have the ability to co-ordinate other Executives to see the affairs of the party nationwide," he said.

He refuted the claims that the CPP was a party of "old men" and challenged sceptics to compare the membership of CPP to that of old people in the ruling New Patriotic Party, citing Senior Minister J. H. Mensah and Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey.

Similarly, there are old people in the main opposition National Democratic Congress, Mr Baidoo said.

Mr Baidoo would be contesting the CPP General Secretary post with Dr Nii Noi Dorwona, the incumbent and Mr. G. A. Balungu, former Trade Unionist, at the Party's General Congress which takes place at Legon on September 20, 2003. 11 Sept. 03