Let's use Ghana@50 to revamp CPP - Elders

Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) on Thursday said the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence should be used to revamp and energize the Party, which was the vanguard of the independence struggle.

"In planning the Ghana@50 activities, we must not forget to use the occasion to revamp and energize the inert CPP of today, which became the vanguard Party of the independence struggle and immediately after," a statement from the Council of Elders of CPP to the GNA said. The statement, forming part of the CPP's own plan of programmes for the Ghana@50 celebrations said while it was good to observe the occasion with pomp, pageantry and funfair, it was necessary that beyond all, "we mention and extol the heroic deeds of our founding fathers, who bequeathed to us this beautiful nation, Ghana."

It said: "Beginning this year we urge the Government to make September 21 of every year Founder's Day in honour our founding fathers."

The statement mentioned Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah; Togbe Komla Agbeli Gbedemah; Mr Kojo Botsio; Mr Krobo Adusei; Mr William Ofori Atta; Mr Kofi Baako; Mr Casley Hayford; Mr A. E. Inkumsah; Mr N. A. Welbeck; Mr J. H. Alhassan; Alhaji Imoro Egala; Ms Hannah Cudjoe; Ms Margaret Martei; Ms Sophia Doku; Ms Ama Serwa; Dr Ako Adjei among persons whose memories deserved particular mention throughout the celebration.

The statement also called for the memories of greater Ghanaian musicians like E. K. Nyame; E. T. Mensah; King Bruce; Bob Cole; Ephraim Amu; Jerry Hansen and others whose songs promoted Ghana's nationalism to be remembered in a significant way.

Groups claiming to belong to the Nkrumahist family include the CPP; Edward Mahama's People's National Convention (PNC); Dan Lartey's Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP); The Patriots; Kwame Nkrumah Foundation; The Socialist Forum of Ghana; Osagyefo Youth Movement and the African Youth Command.

The statement said the CPP would give awards to individuals and groups, who had held the name and ideals of Osagyefo Dr Nkrumah during the Ghana@50 celebrations.

The Party would also distribute Ghana@50 insignia badges and Party mini flags to surviving sympathizers and children of dead heroes of the pre-independence struggle.

It said the Party would also adopt Saltpond for the Party's delegate's congress in August this year.