1,800 delegates to attend CPP National Congress

Accra, Sept. 19, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) on Friday said it is ready for the second National Delegates' Congress to be held at the University of Ghana, Legon on Saturday, September 20.

The Congress under the theme: "CPP - Growing The Youth And Women For The Future," would be attended by 1,800 delegates; eight each from the 200 constituencies, and representatives from the Central Committee; Council of Elders, Funding Members and the Overseas Branches.

Delegates are expected to elect a Flag Bearer, National Chairman, three Vice Chairmen, General Secretary and National Treasurer. A Tamale-based lawyer Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama and Mr George Opersika Aggudey Chief Executive of Gocrest Security are contesting for the flag bearer of the party. They both contested for the position and lost to Professor George Hagan in 2000.

Three leading members of the party are also fighting for the Chairmanship. They are Mr Iddriss Egala, a Chartered Accountant, Dr Edmund Delle a Dematologist and Owner of Rabito Clinic in Accra and Mr Felix Amoah.

Six are vying for the three slots for the National Vice Chairman; they are Mr Mike Eghan, Mr Johnny Hanson, Madam Araba Bentsi Enchil and Mr Kwesi Prempeh while incumbent General Secretary Professor Nii Noi Dowuona slots it out with Mr Kwesi Baidoo for the post. Mr Martin Donkor and Mr Ekow Dancun are contesting for the National Treasurer.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on the Congress, Prof Dowuona said the theme of the Congress was in line with The First President of Ghana Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah's vision for the nation, which saw him involving the youth and women in national affairs. He said: "The time has come for us to give a further meaning to Osagyefo's vision," stressing that women and the youth, who constituted the majority have not been treated fairly after the overthrow of the First Republic.

Prof Dowuona urged the contestants, their supporters and party members to exercise the greatest restraint during and after the elections: "I expect us to come back from Congress united than we went in, as we have a bigger battle ahead of us that calls for unity." The CPP General Secretary urged the delegates, contestants and the teeming supporters to be guided by the supreme interest of the party and vote for candidates with merits, skills and commitment to lead the party.

The Congress is also expected to amend the party's Constitutions, adopt strategies for the next general election, discuss the national economy and other national and international issues.