GCPP postpones congress to December 6

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) had postponed its National Delegates Congress to December 6, 2003 to enable the party resolve emerging legal tassels.
Mr Dan Lartey, GCPP Leader, who looked visibly disturbed told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the party hierarchy would initiate measures to meet the aggrieved members to iron out differences to ensure that the congress was not unduly delayed.
He urged the contestants, their supporters and party members to exercise the greatest restraint during the period and reminded them to be guided by the supreme interest of the party.
He said the party had spent over 200 million cedis towards the congress.
A High Court in Accra on late Friday placed a perpetual injunction restraining Mr Lartey and the GCPP from holding its National Delegates Congress on Saturday, November 29, 2003.
A writ filed by Dometi Kofi Sokpor Esq., Fred Segbefia and Company of Mawuena Chambers in Accra on behalf of leading members of the party sought a declaration that the organization of the Delegates Congress of the GCPP flouts the provisions of the party constitution.
It therefore, seeks the Courts for a perpetual injection on Mr Lartey and the party from holding the congress.
The Plaintiffs were, Alhassan Saeed, National Education Secretary, New Town, Richard Hlodze, Volta Regional Chairman, Heward Ladzaglah running mate 2000 Elections and Mustapha Ameto a Presidential Aspirant for 2004 of the GCPP.
The Plaintiffs aver that together in 1996, they formed the GCPP in accordance with the laws of Ghana and that subsequently a party constitution was developed and adopted by the party which has shaped and governed the activities of the party.
When GNA visited the party headquarters at the Citadel House, some delegates who did not receive the information had converged at the venue for the congress.
There were delegates from Ashanti, Volta, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions as well as the youth wing of the party from Nima who storm the venue drumming and dancing.
Some of the delegates GNA spoke to express concern and appealed to the plaintiffs to dialogue with the rank and file of the party.
The Congress was under the theme: "The New Face of Domestication in Contemporary Ghanaian Politics".
About 1,200 delegates, five from each of the 200 constituencies, and representatives from the Central Committee Council of Elders, and Founding Members were to attend.
Delegates were expected to elect a Flag Bearer, National Chairman, two Vice Chairmen, General Secretary, National Treasurer, National Organiser, National Women Organiser and National Education Secretary.
Mr Samuel K. Obeng and Mr Joseph Aryertury are contesting for the post of National Organizer, Miss Victoria Philips Ghann and Mrs Adetina Dennis for the National Women Organiser and Mr Alhassan Saeed and Mr George K. Avorga for the National Education Secretary.
Four candidates stood unopposed. They are Mr E. B. Mensah for the National Chairman, Mr John Amekah for National Secretary, Mr John Thompson and Mr Gilbert Barnor for the first and second National Chairmanship respectively.