Shadow Cabinet of CPP to hold first meeting

Accra, Aug. 4, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) is to hold its inaugural Shadow Cabinet meeting on Thursday, August 5.

The meeting, party stalwarts suggest, would kick-start a strategic process that would change the political landscape and transform Ghana from its current third world status to a developed country with a sense of urgency.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on recent developments within the party, CPP Communications Director William Dowokpor said the Shadow Cabinet had been constituted to pursue three main issues.

These are the opposition, alternative government in waiting and a training ground for future Heads of State and Ministers.

He said their fist task would be the organisation a solid opposition to government policies that did not serve the larger interest of Ghanaians.

Mr Dowokpor said the body would also check the excesses and abuse of political and administrative authority.

He suggested alternative policies based on the party's home grown socialist ideology of Nkrumahism- Self -Determination, Social Justice and Pan Africanism.

Mr Dowokpor said after the task is performed diligently, "the people of Ghana should have a genuine voice speaking for them, shaping, influencing and advocating policies that would lead to the establishment of a responsive governance system that should focus on providing the basic needs such as education, health care and employment opportunities for human development regardless of political colour, status or calling."

He said that the Shadow Cabinet was the fist step to the party achieving its aim of winning political power and transforming the country.

Mr Dowokpor said "by assigning men and women of the party to shadow real ministers and ministries, the CPP is testing and showcasing its men and women; and the alternative policy visions and leadership they would bring to specific sectors of the country.

"In fact it is not prudent organisation for a party in opposition to wait until they get power to govern before they think of who would play what role in their government.. It is visionary and prudent for any serious party in opposition, to show-case the men and women who would lead government when they attain political power".

Mr Dowokpor said developments within the current government, where even leading members had complained about the quality of appointees, requires that there was the need to train prospective ministers when in opposition.

"President Kufuor's confession that he did not know the dictates of governance and President Mills' plea for time to deliver on his election promises point to an unprepared government in power.

"Surely CPP cannot give any of these excuses for non-performance when the people of Ghana elect the party to form the next government. It is therefore most desirable for the Shadow Cabinet to be constituted now, to experiment and sharpen their governance skills outside government some two and half years ahead if being called to govern Ghana again".

Mr Dowokpor said the Shadow Cabinet was part of the organisation process expected to bring desired changes that would show that the CPP was fit and could be trusted to change Ghana.

"I am convinced that no amount of pessimism can stop the change which would continue until the CPP becomes fit to govern Ghana again," he said.

Mr Dowokpor said "history is being made in the CPP and Ghanaian politics today. Caution would no longer help. Caution would not win CPP power to serve the people right. We need courage to do it. Our time has come. True Nkrumahists are making history and all Ghanaians who really need this transformation to happen in our generation are called to be part of it."