GCPP needs internal democracy - Presidential Aspirant

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - Mr Mustapha Togbe Ametu, 48, who is daring Mr Dan "Domestication" Lartey flagbearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) on Saturday called for adherence to democratic principles within the party.
He said: "Parties that aspired to rule the country democratically must adhere to internal democratic principles and practices to safeguard and sustain constitutionality in Ghana".
Mr. Ametu told the Ghana News Agency in an interview after an Accra High Court had placed an interim injunction on Mr Lartey and the party from holding its national delegates congress on Saturday, November 29, 2003.
A writ filed by Mr Dometi Kofi Sokpor on behalf of four leading members of the party sought a declaration that the organization of the Delegates Congress of the GCPP flouts the provisions of the Party's constitution.
It also sought the Courts to place a perpetual injunction on Mr Lartey and the party from holding the Congress.
The Plaintiffs were, Alhassan Saeed, National Education Secretary, Richard Hlodze, Volta Regional Chairman, Heward Ladzaglah, running mate of the GCPP in the 2000 Elections and Mustapha Ametu a Presidential Aspirant for the 2004 election on the ticket of the Party.
Mr Ametu said the court action was to ensure that Congress was held in a democratic environment and that the rank and file of the party has equal opportunity to speak on the direction of the party.
He said: "The outcome of our congress would be the foundation for the party's victory in the 2004 elections and we must ensure that marketable candidates are presented."
The challenger said that the GCPP had to develop a new vision and direction, which could ensure unity and enable the party to respond to the needs of Ghanaians.
Mr Ametu urged, therefore urged members of the party to co-operate with the new emerging leadership to enable the party to win the 2004 elections, stressing, "we are not a pressure group that should exist in name and operate through media practitioners".
He said the present development would enable whoever emerges as the flagbearer of the party to take up the role as leader to spearhead the party to victory.
He said, it therefore, behoved on the party to relate with people in the social, cultural, educational, political, religious and economic dimensions in a multi-party environment.
Mr Ametu explained that the development would enable the party to have a clear philosophical or ideological direction.
He said there is the need to strengthen ties with parties and organizations, particularly those with identical political beliefs and commitment throughout the world.
The Aspiring GCPP Presidential Candidate assured party members that he would reconcile the party if elected and "victory for me would strengthen democracy within the party, which would ensure progress in the coming years".
Mr Ametu stressed the need for unity and co-operation and urged the delegates to abandon ethnicity and to forge ahead with a common purpose.
The party he said, "need's to devise new measures to increase our membership capacity in all the regions."
He also stressed the need for national unity to enhance and promote the democratic dispensation of the country since division among the membership would only help "in the destruction of the party than reforming it".