Reschedule CPP National Delegates Congress to July -Delle

Accra, March 12, GNA - Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle, former National Chairman of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) at the weekend called for postponement of the party's April 30, 2011 National Delegates Congress to either June or the end of July.

"It is practically impossible to organize ward, constituency and regional conferences to elect executives before April ending which is a mandatory prerequisite for a National Delegates Congress. "Political parties use periods before, during and after congresses as platforms to market the party's leadership and objectives for contesting in a general election, CPP must not lose sight of the opportunity," Prof Delle told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.

Prof Delle who is aspiring for the National Chairmanship slot again explained that a minimum of two weeks was needed to organize ward and constituency congress; another two weeks for regional elections; and about two weeks for opening of nominations for National Executive Office aspirants.

He further indicated that about a week would be required for vetting of aspirants; in accordance to CPP norms constituency conferences must follow after all the branches had been duly organised and the list of members attending the branch general meeting and constituency conferences compiled.

Prof Delle said photographs of delegates to the regional conference must be taken and the records sent to the national secretariat to facilitate the drawing up of the congress register, all these must be done before a national delegates congress. The CPP Aspiring National Chairman therefore appealed to the National Executive Committee of the party to re-examine the April 30 time schedule and make the necessary adjustments to pave the way for a successful congress.

He said: 93It is about a month to the April 30 congress date, yet it is impossible for aspirants to campaign effectively as no one knows who the delegates are; number of delegates to attend the congress and other operational details are not available.

"As former National Leader of the party, I also sympathize with the constituency, regional and other officers who have been pushed to organize congresses without the needed logistics".

On his come back bid, Prof Delle explained that: 93My decision is informed by my attitude towards Nkrumah's political legacy 96 the greatest legacy of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah is his total belief in the establishment of a highly disciplined organic party. "Such a party was to be seen as the people's own political army since it will be built on the sweat and labour of the people and based on the principle of democratic centralism. The party's supremacy must remain unquestionable. This I ascribe to, hence my desire to lead the party and build it again as a viable political force in Ghana". He said: 93I believe this principle of party organization when followed, can re-establish the credibility of the Nkrumah tradition in the politics of Ghana.

"The CPP has come to stay and no group of political tricksters, opportunists and turncoats can be allowed to disturb its stay. The time has come for the forces of positive action of our political tradition to organize to generate sufficient power to confront the political dragon that is destroying our tradition and our country". Prof Delle therefore called for massive support for his bid. 93My come back is in the general interest of the CPP, our bid to re-establish as a force in Ghanaian politics and make a major impact in Elections 2012".