Politics of Tuesday, 14 December 2004

Source: GNA

Dr Ndoum calls for a new CPP

Accra, Dec 14, GNA - Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum, the newly elected CPP parliamentarian for the Komenda/Edinah/Eguafo/Abrem constituency, has advocated for a new CPP devoid of rigid ideological stance, which will accommodate all views of its members.

He said the CPP's abysmal performance in the just ended elections clearly shows that the party needs to be reformed to make it more attractive to the electorate.

Dr Ndoum, who made the call in an interview with the GNA on Tuesday

Said, "it's about time we bury our differences and accommodate each other's view in order to articulate a common goal and social agenda which will be acceptable to all".

He acknowledged that in any ideological grouping or a party like the CPP, there are extremists and moderates within it, but through serious debates and arguments they are able to forge a common consensus and move the group ahead.

"This is why I am calling for a new CPP, flexible enough to tolerate each others view, while maintaining a common goal, adding that it is the "only way forward for the party if it wants to carve a new image for itself and turn its fortunes around."

Dr Ndoum condemned the fielding of untrained and unprepared parliamentary candidates by the party in most of the constituencies, leading to their crushing defeats, instead of concentrating on a few constituencies where the party was strong.

"The leadership of the party left the parliamentary candidates to their fate without any help or support and rather concentrated only on the presidential candidate."

Dr. Ndoum was however, optimistic that the CPP will overcome its problems and bounce back strongly in the coming years if " we commit ourselves to work hard together and take advantage of the goodwill the party is enjoying now with other political parties."