Statement: Dr Nduom congratulates PNC’s merger decision

Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom         I wish to congratulate the leadership and members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the People’s National Convention (PNC) for the decision taken at its meeting held on Friday, July 30, 2010 to continue to pursue a combination of forces with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) to unite the two parties. A lot had been said for and against the merger of the two political parties prior to the meeting. Those against the merger had made a number of allegations against leading members of both parties. Fears had been expressed about name and symbol. Some people have privately been canvassing to be given national executive positions in the combined party should the merger succeed. Others expressed fear about being able to hold on to administrative positions they hold and benefits that accrue to them today. I am very much encouraged that with all the reservations expressed by some leading members, the PNC NEC has found it possible to affirm the party’s commitment to uniting the broader CPP family. This is a clear indication that the roots of unity are stronger than personal interests. I am encouraged that the ties established in October 1997 when former President Hilla Limann and Mr. Kojo Botsio as co-chairman of the Elders Council ensured the signing of an irrevocable Memorandum of Understanding to unite the Nkrumaist parties continue to guide leading members towards unity. Thirteen years is enough. We must implement the MOU signed by the leadership of Nkrumaist parties and affirmed by our elders – former President Limann and Minister Kojo Botsio. It is important that all leading members of the PNC and CPP work to make this unity possible. We should see the two parties cooperating in many areas including organizing in the field. Leaders from the two parties must seek each other out and present a common front on national issues from here on. The CPP’s Shadow Cabinet must be re-shuffled to take on PNC members. It is great to note that already, the GCPP has a seat at the Cabinet table. From now on, let the two and the others become one and I am confident that whatever sacrifice is made will be generously rewarded by Ghanaians. Both sides must be willing to make sacrifices to achieve this important goal to unite the family once again. I encourage my comrades in the CPP to remember the sacrifices made by Imoro Egala, Nana Okutwer Bekoe, Krobo Edusei, Kojo Botsio and others for the PNP to come to power. This is the time for Alhaji Ramadan, Ladi Nylander, Bernard Mornah, Ivor Greenstreet and others who lead the PNC and the CPP to etch their names on the fabric of the CPP family forever. On my part, I pledge to continue to work diligently to help create a positive atmosphere within which the PNC and the CPP can negotiate productively and with a sense of urgency. The elected national executive members of the PNC and the CPP must know that this is the time to put the last piece of the puzzle in place to create a credible, competitive political party capable of winning power and many seats in parliament. The PNC and the CPP Must Unite, Now! Papa Kwesi Nduom July 31, 2010