Come out with "$125,000 saga" findings - CPP

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has called on the Ghana Journalists Association to expeditiously come out with its final position on the alleged $125,000 given to Kwasi Pratt Jnr. According to the party, such an action would put to an end the matter and whoever may be found to have engaged in the malpractice would face the appropriate sanctions.

A statement issued by the General Secretary of the party, Nii Noi Dowuona, said the party was worried about the repercussions of the dark clouds that continued to hang on the matter. The statement said that if the use of tactics to malign political opponents would likely become part of the nation’s body politics, creating unnecessary tension and friction.

The statement said the party was dismayed that an issue, which had the potential of affecting the integrity of the media was handled in a manner that had given room for speculation rather than establishing truth. “The report that the Editor of The Accra Mail refused to abide by the directive of the Ethics Committee of GJA to disclose the source of the paper’s fortunate and cloud undermine the credibility of the GJA,” the statement said.

The statement said the Central Committee of the party found the linkage between the alleged “bribe-taking” and the purported stance of Pratt on “alliance” with the ruling NPP as a diversionary tactic. According to the statement for the avoidance of doubt, the CPP’s position in relation to other political parties was resolved at its first National Delegates Congress in 1999, which unambiguously mandated the Central Committee to merge with parties of Nkrumaist tradition only; “this mandate led to the unity talks. All members are enjoined to respect this position,” it said.

The statement added that the party strongly believes that journalists must uphold the ethics that government their practice to give credence to the realm. It said on the party’s part, it would give active support to measures that would safe guard the integrity of all citizens without compromising the freedom of expression among other liberties guaranteed by the 1992 constitution.