CPP must learn from NPP -Pratt

Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Managing Editor of the Insight and grand ally of the National Democratic Congress, yesterday went to town on elements in his own party who, he claimed, were not doing enough to make the necessary sacrifices that would move the party forward but are rather fighting over symbols. But significantly, Pratt Jnr called on the Convention People’s Party leadership to learn from the ruling New Patriotic Party which, he admitted, has shown to Ghanaians a worthy and solid example of how to build and sustain a political party, even under very trying conditions.

The CPP leading member was reacting to the news about the resignation Thursday of Mike Eghan Jnr, National Second-Vice Chairman of the CPP, from the party during a Peace FM current affairs programme.

“Yes, I’ve heard about Mike Eghan’s resignation, and I feel sad about it…because I know him very well…I’ve worked with him for several years and I know how committed, efficient and hard-working he is as a CPP leading member…it’s very sad,” Pratt Jnr lamented.

“But there are lessons we all need to learn, if we want the CPP to grow…And the NPP is an example for all of us to emulate…look, they were in the wilderness for twenty to thirty years…they never lost hope…they kept themselves together, even in exile…from the days of Nkrumah…from 1992 till 2000…they never wavered…today they are in power, so why can’t our own CPP take a cue from that and unite…We can also do it if we stay united, rather than complain and quit or join forces with other people.”

Indicating how unity within the ranks of the Nkrumahist family has produced results in the past, the CPP Public Affairs Director cited the Great Alliance political deal in 1996 with the NPP, in which key players led by industrialist Kwabena Darko of the National Independence Party and General Erskine of the People’s Heritage Party joined forces to give the CPP the much-needed clout. “When we did that, it worked; and there were signs that the party was growing…but if we all have to throw up our hands in despair, where will the party be in the next few decades? When you have a leadership that will want to fight over slogans and unnecessary things…that is what happens…After the 2000 elections we all made moves to unite the family…Nii Noi Dowuona and the former PNC National Chairman, Mr Amoah and others played a major role in getting the PNC to come on board…and there were still others…until this fight about the cockerel and the ‘kube’ came up…it’s really sad.”

Pratt Jnr was, however, still hopeful that the CPP has a future. “Mike Eghan’s resignation is painful…it is a painful loss, but it depends on how we in the party would want to look at it…if his going away will shake us up to do the things we ought to do, then it could be a blessing to us…but if we ignore the signals, then that would be too bad…because the trend will continue…but we still have lessons to learn,” he confessed.

Meanwhile, the Editor-In-Chief of the Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr, also reacted to the stand taken by Mr. Eghan. Conceding that though he was not reacting directly to what Mr Pratt said, noted; “the NPP, when in opposition, also had some members resigning and joining other parties. It does not therefore make meaning to say people should not resign from a party.” He mentioned Mr Pratt’s persona, among other factors, as some of the reasons why Mr Eghan was leaving the party, adding that coupled with that was the problem of “too many ideological dinosaurs in the party.”

He, however, stated emphatically to The Statesman that he would not resign from the CPP party under any circumstances. He observed that Mr Eghan’s move was a reaction to his frustration with the level of incompetence in the leadership of the party, especially in the light of tremendous sacrifices Eghan made financially, morally and otherwise.

“Kwesi Pratt has a right to his comments, but I believe we should also allow anybody who wants to leave to do so…though I, Baako, won’t leave the CPP…” Mr Baako told The Statesman that he agrees with Mr Eghan on the vexed question of leaders not cooperating the way they should, but noted that resigning was not the solution, saying: “The CPP has a huge problem which, if we do not resolve, we cannot move on as a party.”