Mr Ibrahim Mahama, a leading member of the Convention People's Party (CPP), has warned against any attempts to merge the CPP with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He also said any attempts by the Party to contest the 2004 parliamentary elections without a Presidential candidate ''because it would amount to a hopeless political gamble''.

In a statement he signed on Tuesday and sent to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Mahama said: "Those calling for a merger do not seem to know that by their stand they are expressly demanding the dismemberment and total disintegration of the CPP.

"Those demanding the CPP participation in the elections without a Presidential candidate do not seem to know that a political party in Ghana without participating in Presidential election is a delusion or hopeless political project. They are crying for a headless CPP Government," he said.

"No Ghanaian will waste his or her time to vote for such a party," he reminded CPP supporters.

Mr Mahama, who was the CPP running mate in the 2000 elections, said it was totally un-Nkrumaist and unacceptable to suggest that the CPP, which fought and achieved independence for Ghana and lit the torch for the total liberation of Africa, should play second fiddle to new political parties.

He said the spirit of Dr Nkrumah would not forgive the present leadership of the Party if it merged with the NPP or the NDC.

He also asked the CPP leadership never to think of participating in the general elections without a Presidential candidate.

"The few who are putting forward the negative and totally unacceptable ideas are prepared to make the CPP a sacrificial lamb on the altar of a fleeting and transitory pleasure", he said.

Mr Mahama called for unity in the party, and asked the youth to lead the crusade for the Party to regain political power in the 2004 elections.