Acting Vice Chair (Finance) of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Joyce Larbie, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to facilitate the return of properties confiscated from the party following the overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, in 1966.

Speaking at the CPP’s headquarters to commemorate Dr Nkrumah’s 117th birthday anniversary, on September 21, 2026, Joyce Larbie, who represented CPP Chairman Moses Amadu Yahaya, said the party was seeking ‘justice and restitution not favour’ from the government.

She said the CPP, which played a central role in Ghana’s independence struggle, once owned its headquarters and offices across the country but was now operating as a tenant struggling to meet its rental obligations at House No. 70, Mango Tree Street.

According to her, the party’s properties were confiscated after the 1966 military overthrow under NLCD 29 and had not been returned to the CPP. She argued that the properties were acquired through the contributions and sacrifices of party supporters and should therefore be restored to the organisation.

“Mr President, on this 117th birthday anniversary of our Founder, we appeal to you for justice and restitution not favour. We are not asking for royalties or state funding. We are asking for the return of properties that we believe rightfully belong to the CPP,” she indicated.

Larbie said the CPP’s demand should not be treated as a conventional political party financing issue because of the party’s historical role in Ghana’s independence and the circumstances under which its properties were confiscated.

She noted that the CPP predated the 1992 Constitution and was instrumental in the struggle that culminated in Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957, and the establishment of the republic in 1960.

She further appealed to President Mahama to honour an earlier indication that he would look into the matter, expressing hope that his administration would give due consideration to the party’s call for historical redress.

The CPP official made the appeal as the party reflected on the theme for this year’s celebration, “Nkrumah at 117: The Vision, The Legacy, The Future.”

She said Dr Nkrumah’s vision of an industrialised, self-sufficient Ghana free from neo-colonialism remained relevant, citing projects and institutions such as the Akosombo Dam, Tema Harbour, expanded access to education, factories and industries.

Larbie also highlighted Nkrumah’s contribution to African liberation and unity, saying Ghana under his leadership became a centre for freedom fighters from countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.

She said the former president’s role in convening the 1958 All-African People’s Conference in Accra also contributed to the movement that eventually led to the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).

Looking to the future, Larbie called on CPP members who had left the party due to disappointment or frustration to return and support its reorganisation and rebuilding efforts.

She urged members to strengthen the party from the grassroots by building branches, constituencies and regional structures to prepare the CPP to participate meaningfully in the governance of Ghana.

She also reminded Ghanaians that Dr Nkrumah’s legacy extended beyond the CPP, declaring that ‘Nkrumah belongs to Ghana” and “Nkrumah belongs to Africa.’


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