Ideas for Change – The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) are on the ascendancy.

The so called “high profile” defections and resignations from the party by some leading members that gave the press in Ghana a field day, in part due to the gridlock of the botched “unity talks”. As result, a group of businessmen, academics, technocrats, students and politicians came together to form a pressure group to save the party from disintegration. They group called themselves the “Patriots”.

The Patriots, whose motto is “Ghana before self, Ghana deserves better”, started a silent revolution by building the structures of the party from the grass roots up. The Patriots are spearheading this quite and silent revolution within the CPP. The Patriots have made the PNC and the GCPP redundant.

The rapid success of the Patriots have attracted lot of criticisms from the ruling party (NPP), the largest opposition party (NDC) and some disgruntled individuals within the CPP who are burnt on disrupting the activities of the party by any means.

As the success of the Patriots typifies, the CPP takes strength from a broad church. Until the 1996 elections, the Nkrumahists were made up of small splinter groups who all profess to be the true successor of the CPP. The success of the Patriots in laying down a strong foundation for the growth of the party has change the way the CPP are now seen in the eyes of the Ghanaian electorate.

The popularity of the Patriots came to the fore during Ghana’s 50th independence celebrations. The immense support that the Patriots enjoyed during the celebrations (though it must be emphasise the CPP were deliberately ignored by the organisers) once again turn the spotlight on the CPP and the Patriots.

Having seen the sheer incompetence of the NDC administration and the inconsistencies surrounding the decision making of the NPP government, Ghanaians are yearning for a change and are now looking up to the CPP for an effective and efficient government based on equal opportunities for all.
The machinery of the Patriots is proving very effective as their press releases and statements are taken note of by the Ghanaian electorate. The Patriots cannot be branded as socialists, because they are not, but rather believe in social justice, market led economy, equal opportunity, even spread of development and one Ghana. The unity of the country is paramount to this group of men and women. Their aim is “Ghana before self”. Their selfless call to duty is what is sending shivers down the spine of their opponents. The Patriots have firmly laid down the political foundation for the recovery of the CPP and Ghana.
The question to ask is “who is the inspirational light behind the Patriots?”
For the first time in Ghana’s political history, the Patriots have charted a path where no one individual is bigger than the party. The group have expert spokesmen for each strategic sector and well coordinated communications approach. Their success in countering the government and the NDC on issues of national importance is proving to be very effective. The clear leadership skills being display by the CPP Patriots shows that the CPP has once again regain the leading role as the effective and law abiding but assertive opposition party in Ghana, ready to take over the reins of the government in 2008. The rise of the CPP has taken many commentators and opinion leaders by surprise. For the first time since 2006, Ghanaians are looking to the CPP as the best party to redeem the country from this economic mess. The CPP’s response to the current energy crisis in Ghana and other issues and how they plan to redress the problems have been very effective.
Ghanaians are crying for the CPP as events on the ground shows. Unlike the NPP (where every one wants to become the President of Ghana) and the NDC (whose founder imposed an ineffective flag bearer on the party) the CPP Patriots have showed themselves to be very effective operators. The young boys of the Young Pioneer era have come of age and are ready to take the leadership role that they were trained for. The core leadership of the Patriots were either members of the Young Pioneer Movement or had older siblings who were members of the movement. They were brought up under the strict disciplinary regime of the Young Pioneer Movement. They grew up in the Young Pioneer Movement with other boys from different parts of the country; their loyalty, first and foremost was to the country. The Patriots never deserted the CPP. Members of the Young Pioneer Movement were trained to become the future leaders of our motherland under One Country and One People. The Patriots believe in helping people to help themselves by offering everyone equal opportunities.
The CPP are waiting to go to congress in August to elect new leadership before they open the way for flagbearership elections….everything is methodically and orderly planned. The CPP are ready to provide the sort of accessible and effective leadership.
All those who “exit from the CPP” are finding their way back into the fold. The resurgent CPP are taking members from the 2 major political parties.
The Patriots have promised to revisit Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s 7 year development plan. The plan, drawn some 45 years ago shows a comprehensive developmental programme for Ghana. The development was to be spread evenly and each region was earmarked for a self sustaining manufacturing base. The CPP believe in empowering Ghanaian people with the education, skills and tools they need to succeed in order for Ghana to be able to compete in this global economy. The CPP believes in affordable accommodation and better primary health care for every Ghanaian. The CPP are back and ready to govern.

Peter Jeffrey
Nb: This writer is not a spokes person for the Patriots. Any views expressed in this essay are his views and not the Patriots!

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.