A CPP Odum has fallen

The CPP Family woke this morning to be greeted with the sad news of the murder of our dear Comrade Hayford Patterson Akrofi. He was a leading light of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), who together with others has been at the forefront of asserting the sovereignty of Ghana through a rejuvenated CPP.

As to the motives of this dastardly act, many questions remain unanswered. One thing remains crystal clear though, his murder exposes the rising tide of insecurity and indiscipline occasioned by poor socio-economic conditions in Ghana.

The credentials of Hayford Paterson Akrofi, both as a Party activist and his professional competence as an architect, constitute a long list that we can hardly summarize.

An attempt at this will reveal among other things, the following:

· Vice-chairman of the vibrant UK and Ireland branch of the CPP.

· Until his murder, he was Secretary to the Consultative and Coordinating Committee of the CPP Central Committee.

· A Chief spokesman of the Party on the critical campaigns against GMOs, the Plant Breeders’ Bill and the EPA.

Lest we forget, Comrade Akrofi was President of the National Union of Ghana Students, (1974-1976), at a particularly difficult period in Ghana’s political history, leaving an indelible mark.

One of his most endearing traits was his readiness and availability to assist in any Party activity, even at short notice. Playing a crucial role in the party’s recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Tamale.

He had just returned from Kumasi the day before his death, part of a delegation that accompanied the National Chair to attend the funeral in Kumasi of former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Party – Comrade Kwasi Prempeh.

H.P. Akrofi’s brutal murder, and the molestation of two females in his house, reminds us of the need for an urgent review of security for all in Ghana today, by the heads of our security agencies.

We should all be concerned about the correlation between rising socio-economic stagnation and crime rates in our country.

The CPP calls for a full-scale investigation of Hayford Akrofi’s murder, not a lingering, inconclusive inquiry, but one that catches the criminals and puts them behind bars.

CPP Lawyers will work closely with the Police to assist the family.

Our best tribute to him will be to stand firm in the beliefs we shared with him, and see this as added impetus to realize the ideals he stood for.

On behalf of the CPP’s Executive and the broader membership, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended family of our late comrade.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Samia Yaba Nkrumah

CPP National Chairperson and Leader

www.conventionpeoplesparty.org