Koforidua, Nov 12, GNA- The General Secretary of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Prof Nii Noi Dowuona, has stressed that Nkrumaism, the party's ideology is still relevant in the country's quest for socio-economic development and asked activists of the party to be prepared to promote it during their public education campaigns.
He was addressing a one-day workshop organised for constituency executives of the party in the Eastern Region at Koforidua on Wednesday by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy (NIMD).
Speaking on the ideological direction of the CPP, Prof. Dowuona told them to wage a struggle in order to reassert the vision of Dr Kwame Nkrumah to set the country on "a permanent road to genuine political and economic independence."
''The globalisation theory is based on inequality in economic relations and political domination in international relations'', he said.
He said the economic philosophy of the party hinged on five core areas including state-led economy, private enterprise, foreign private capital, state-private and co-operatives.
"These five pillars are as relevant for our socio-economic development today as they were at the time of independence."
Prof. Dowuona reminded them that as a political party out to seek the mandate to implement its ideology they should use the knowledge acquired at the workshop to embark on intensive public education to win the support of the electorate in next year's general elections.
He stated that even while in opposition, the party could still play a vital role in the governance of the country by offering constructive criticisms of government policies and offering alternative suggestions.
The Eastern Regional Chairman of the party, Nana Owusu Sekyere, said it is only a CPP government with its socialist policies that could save Ghanaians from the current economic hardships and social deprivations.
"No one can say with certainty that Ghanaians have been better of since the overthrow of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP in 1966." The Co-ordinator of the IEA's Political Party Programmes, Dr Kwesi Jonah, reminded the participants that a party could only win elections if it has well-trained activists.
That is why the Institute decided to seek funding from the NIMD to support the four political parties that have at least a member in Parliament.
He said the aim of the programme is to enhance the institutional capacity of the parties, open and maintain channels of communication among the parties, improve the political environment and work closely with the Electoral Commission to solve the problems facing parties. Dr Jonah said each of the four parties, the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP, would be assisted to train cadres, provide them office furniture and equipment and pay their utility bills with funds from the NIMD.
