CPP Chairman lauds efforts of Journalists

Accra, Nov. 1, GNA - Dr. Edmund Nminyem Delle, National Chairman of the Convention Party (CP), on Saturday lauded the determination, courage and tenacity of Journalists in holding politicians and other officeholders accountable to the public.

He said, "The exhibition of a sense of patriotism and professionalism by most Journalists has been the hallmark for Ghana's democratic consolidation and the relatively stable and peaceful environment in the country in the midst of a turbulent sub-region".

Dr Delle, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra noted that journalists across the globe holds the key to a country's stability, development, and to a very large extent, the socio-political direction of the state, adding that, this they must judiciously guide within the constitutional status and the ethics of the profession.

He urged Journalists to continue to exhibit neutrality, balance, accuracy and professionalism throughout their reportage, while reducing the tendency of reflecting their personal position, opinion and political colour in their stories.

The CPP Chairman urged journalists to be vigilant as the nation prepares for yet another elections, which promises to be a test case for political parties, government, Electoral Commission, Journalists and all stakeholders.

"We must be vigilant or the enemy would steal the peoples mandate through crook means, while we are all asleep," Dr Delle, who described himself as committed Catholic emphasized.

Dr Delle also charged Journalists to help reduce the political tension and antagonism in the country.

"The Political tension, suspicion and antagonism in a non-election year is a very dangerous development and a sure recipe for disaster in an election year."

He said; "As a stalwart politician, I believe that multi-party democracy and politicking should not generate into unnecessary heat, among opponents, you journalists must serve as a non-partisan think-tank to reduce the tension.

"Mediate, and counsel where necessary to harness unity among political leaders and the entire citizenry; reduce the volatile political environment and save the nation from mishaps in the future."

Dr. Delle also congratulated the national executive committee, media, supporters and delegates to the just-ended CPP congress for exhibiting loyalty and solidarity to Nkrumaism and the party at large.

The CPP Chairman said the ordinary people of the party have spoken through their action, vote and resolutions adopted at the congress with a message to all the executives - national, regional, districts, wards and at the lowest level that, "CPP must forged together in unity to contest the forthcoming general elections."

He said, "members of the party have again demonstrated to the world that the fate that has robbed CPP, of its fortune cannot stop them from organising themselves and struggling to recapture lost ground and eventually win Elections 2004.

"It is for the show of this heroism that I commit myself more than ever to become the 'Political Moses' to lead the party on its final journey to victory in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections," Dr Delle stressed.

Dr Delle said integrity, dedication and courage of Nkrumaism intertwined with the leadership of truthful service and integrity would be his guiding principles to mobilise the masses to support the party for an electoral showdown with the so-called bigger parties.

He emphasis that the Nkrumaist tradition, which won independence for the country, had the ''obligation to redeem Ghanaians from the deplorable conditions they find themselves in order to recapture the leading role in Africa's search for economic development''.

He called for unity and discipline from all ranks of the membership for effective electioneering campaign, adding, " with the (intra-party) elections, over we are all winners, there is no loser, what we have to do, is to collectively forge ahead with one purpose to oil the CPP political wheel to become once more vibrant to capture power."

He said the country need to survive and flourish with a buoyant economy and to achieve this, he called for accountability in the management of the country's finances.

Dr Delle, who is also a human rights activist, emphasised the need for Ghanaians to institute internal measures to salvage the economy and not to depend on external directives.

He said it has become necessary for Ghanaians to collectively identify the country's priorities and to find long-term solutions to her economic problems, regardless of which political party is in power.

The CPP Chairman emphasis the need to revamp the education sector, stressing, "it is paramount in the development of every country, especially in the current technological age and appealed to the government to take steps to halt the deteriorating standards of education in the country".