...as Chairman of the Organisational Committee of CPP

DR Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Co-operation, has relinquished his position as Chairman of the Organisational Committee of the Convention People?s Party (CPP).

He, however, retains his membership of the party.

The Chairman of the CPP, Dr Abubakar Alhassan, who confirmed this in an interview in Accra yesterday, said Dr Nduom?s decision to relinquish the position stems fundamentally from his hectic schedule as a minister of state and his inability to secure enough time to effectively discharge the functions of the office assigned him by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the CPP.

?Given the heavy demands of the position of Chairman of the Organisational Committee, especially at a time the CPP has embarked upon a vigorous nationwide organisational exercise to revamp the party and improve upon its political fortunes, Dr Nduom?s decision to quit the position could be understood and appreciated,? he said.

Dr Abubakar observed that Dr Nduom?s decision to remain committed and leading member of the CPP as well as his pledge to continue to contribute actively in diverse ways to strengthen the cause of the CPP would still be cherished.

?The NEC of the CPP would be meeting soon to deliberate on this matter and also find a possible replacement for Dr Nduom to help speed up the work of the organisation of the party,? he said, adding that this should get the CPP in readiness for the crucial elections in 2004 in which it (CPP) hopes to wrest power from the NPP to implement the progressive agenda Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP did not finish.

Dr Abubakar appealed to the rank and file of the party remain steadfast and to patronise the reorganisation exercise to help increase the appeal and political fortunes of the party.

Dr Nduom, when contacted, confirmed the action and said, ?I hope that members of the CPP will find it possible to take positive action to accept the ?new? CPP and adopt a manifesto and a vision that would appeal to a broad cross-section of Ghanaians,?.