Five potential leading members of the political parties with leanings towards Nkrumahism have indicated their initial intention to contest for the flag bearership of the (Confusion) Convention People’s Party (CPP) at its Special National Delegates’ Congress fixed for June to elect a flag-bearer for Elections 2004.

They are Mr. Goosie Tandor, leader of the National Reform Party (NRP) Mr. Ato Sackey of the defunct National Convention Party, who stepped aside for former Vice President the late Mr. Kow Nkensen Arkaah, Mr. Johnny Hansen, a legal practitioner, Mr. Dan Lartey, leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), and Mr. George Aggudey, Managing Proprietor of Gocrest Security, who lost the flag-bearership to Professor George Hagan in 2000.

The party would be the third to elect its flag-bearer after former Vice President Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the retention of President John Agyekum Kufuor by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

A party source told the Network Herald noted that the five leading Nkrumasits have started lobbying for support, while three others are working hard behind the scene for the chairmanship. They are Dr. Abubakar Alhassan, CPP Chairman, Dr. Edmund Delle, a private medical practitioner and proprietor of Rabito Clinic, Mr. Peter Kpodugbe Chairman of NRP were gunning for the chairmanship. Further enquiry revealed that Prof. Hagan the 200 flagbearer of the party had so far not shown any interest.

He said the Congress would also elect other National Executives including Secretary General, first and second Vice Chairman, Treasurer, National Organiser, Youth Organiser, Women’s Organiser among others to steer the affairs of the party for the next two years. Other activities lined up for the congress include the passing of resolutions and the election and swearing in of a substantive National Chairman. A proposed platform document and constitution of the merged parties (NRP, GCPP and CPP) would also be laid before members for discussions and approval. The document is believed to cover all sectors of the economy affecting the status of the “ordinary” Ghanaian.

He said the party is ready to market to especially the youth, a modernized philosophy, packaged to meet the needs of contemporary politics with the infusion of new and dynamic leaders from other parties, The merger is apparently part of moves to build a modern, disciplined and a voluntary political organization that requires commitment on the part of members who must be prepared to support it financially and exhibit leadership skills to ensure success He said there were signs that the CPP would be the third force in next year’s election adding that the name CPP would not only remind Ghanaians of the great deeds of the Nkrumah-led CPP but would also lay bare the deficiencies of the ruling NPP and the other parties.

He said all regional executives of the three parties would be issued with directives to organise joint congresses to elect officers as well as consider modalities for the selection of delegates to the June Congress. He called on party members to organise to ensure that the strength of the CPP was consolidated and revitalized.

The CPP Source said “We want a radical and fundamental change of society, economic justice, security and safety for Ghanaians, there is no soundeconomic reason why people continue be hungry, while others do not have basic education”.