Recent media reports of a fresh unity initiative by the CPP and PNC has rekindled hope not just within the two parties but in the wider population, for the long awaited unity of the Nkrumahist parties.

CPP/PNC unity has increasingly become a national aspiration, viewed by Ghanaians as a necessary step in the growth of Ghana's democracy, as well as offering "third party" leverage against the "Tom & Jerry" politics of NDC and NPP - The intense rivalry between these two seen by many as dangerous to Ghanaian democracy and stability.

As the global rehabilitation of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, founder of the Convention People's Party (CPP) gathers momentum, Ghanaians and indeed many Africans see in Nkrumaism, a route to their salvation, and the only credible option to Ghanaian and African development.

The main tenets of Nkrumahism – National Self Determination, Social Justice and Pan –Africanism even more relevant now than ever before.

The Convention People's Party (CPP) UK & Ireland wishes to share in this aspiration and to add its voice firstly to the messages of congratulation to the Leadership of the PNC and the CPP. Secondly to appeal to them that they move with haste to reach agreement on unity in a matter of weeks rather than months, and thirdly that they be guided by the mood of the rank and file at the grassroots - within constituencies and in the Regions. The actions of the CPP and PNC branches in the Brong Ahafo and Northern Regions in forming a "United Nkrumahist Front" is testament to the mood of ordinary party members on both sides, sending a clear signal to our leaders that on this occasion failure should not be an option. We wish to congratulate the Brong Ahafo and Northern Regional Branches of the CPP and PNC for their bold and courageous move in leading the way to CPP Unity.

The Branch notes that successive unity discussions has served to underline the shared philosophy of the two parties, ironed out a large part of any past grievances, agreed modalities and terms for unity. All that remains with this fresh attempt is thus the establishment of trust and a leap of faith as brothers and sisters once again in comradeship.

United the CPP will be fitter, united it shall be stronger, united it shall conquer.

The road map to unity has been travelled before and calls for planning now even before an agreement is signed:

PNC and CPP branches, constituencies and regions must begin to liaise closer together. They must plan joint action. They must begin to synchronise their branch and regional conferences, talking and liaising on dates. This leading ultimately to:

A synchronised National Congress - PNC and CPP side by side on the same day, then a Joint Unity Congress after ratification of unity by the "Side by Side" congresses.

History beckons for a united Nkrumahist Front; the country awaits deliverance from poverty and disease, high child and infant mortality rate, unemployment, a crisis of youth, a failed education system, and the scourge of corruption continues to plague us.

The NDC government’s proposed STX Agreement with South Korea demonstrating why Ghana needs an alternative to NPP or NDC government. NDC and NPP have deepened our dependency and addiction to foreign aid and to quote a leading member of the CPP – “ NPP and NDC governance has become a de facto outsourcing of projects – as long as someone funds it” “ Over the last 18 years they have run government not on the basis of any well thought out programmes but as a series foreign funded projects that have benefitted party apparatchiks or relatives of those in power”

The country awaits CPP/PNC unity, the country waits in hope of a CPP government.

May Allah the ever merciful grant our leaders wisdom to steer affairs of unity to a speedy and successful conclusion.

God Bless PNC/CPP God Bless our homeland Ghana

CPP International Communications Directorate United Kingdom www.cppuk.Org conventionpeoplesparty.org cppyouth@googlegroups.com