CPP to name running mate on September 21

Accra, Sept. 11, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) on Thursday fixed September 21 as the date for naming and outdooring a running mate for its flag bearer, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom. Other activities for the day would include the launch of the party's Election 2008 campaign and manifesto, introduction of parliamentary aspirants, CPP's Election theme song and outlining of strategies to move the campaign to a higher level, Mr Kosi Dedey, publicity secretary of the party, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.

He said CPP adored September 21, the birthday of Ghana's First President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and had decided "to honour the memory of our Great Leader of all time with launch of rejuvenated CPP". Mr Dedey said Dr Nkrumah, during his time, was able to fire the imagination of his generation, both black and white people around the world, with his leadership role against colonialism, racism and inequality. Now the new crop of CPP leadership is ready to maintain the flame.

He said thousands of supporters would throng Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, venue for the launch, to participate in the colourful celebration, which would set the stage for Operation Election 2008. Mr Dedey explained that the National Executive Committee (NEC) would meet on Saturday, September 20 to discuss broad strategies to carry the campaign to a higher level and allocation of electioneering resources across the country.

He said the CPP executives would also discuss strategies to reduce electoral violence.

Meanwhile the CPP and the People's National Convention (PNC) have intensified efforts to distribute their manifesto to many institutions including the Ghana Institute of Engineers, National Development Planning Commission, Inegrated Social Development Centre, Institute of Democratic Governance, Ghana Integrity Initiative and Ghana Integrity Initiative.

Others are Association of Ghana Industries, Private Enterprise Foundation, Universities and other civil society organizations, traditional authorities and media practitioners. Mr Dedey said it was instructive to note that no other political party under the Fourth Republic had made as much effort as the CPP to ensure that its manifesto was available to the general public. Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, National Chairman of the PNC, told GNA that the party would remain focused to campaign on issues, propagate policy messages contained in its manifesto and make it available to the public. He advised the electorate and media practitioners to scrutinize the parties based on issues raised in their manifestos and not the platform of oratory which most often are baseless.

Alhaji Ramdan urged the media, especially to educate the public on the true state of the nation, give prominence to all political parties and challenge politicians to provide solutions to the socio-economic problems facing the nation. 11 Sept. 08