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A call on CPP to be a potential force in 2024 general election
A sister of mine, name withheld, told me that she recently dreamt about the party that would form the next government and take over the mantle of leadership of our dear country, Ghana, after the tenure of office of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2024. In that dream, she was directed by the Almighty God to try and get in touch with Comrade Kwesi Pratt, a leading member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Managing Editor of Insight Newspaper, to deliver a special message to him concerning the re-organisation of the party to take over the leadership of this country in 2024. She asked me to assist her to get the contact line of Mr. Pratt so that she could deliver the message to him personally. I did according to her wish and I am very sure that by now, she has been able to get in touch with Mr. Pratt to deliver her message.
MESSAGE TO COMRADE KWESI PRATT
Being so inquisitive, I impressed on her to interpret that dream to me in a more cohesive manner and to my astonishment, she told me that the good Lord had revealed to her that come 2014, the leadership of this country would be transferred to the CPP because Ghanaians were, indeed, tired and fed up with the current government and that of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and would like to try a third force which is the CPP.
I cannot agree more with my sister about her dream and vision, however, I strongly believe that for that prediction to materialise, much will depend on all the splinter groups of the Nkrumahist tradition to bury their entrenched positions and differences and rally their strength behind the CPP, the party formed by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory and first President of Ghana to regain their fortunes and claim leadership of this country. That can be possible and there is no ambiguity about that vision. It is a fact that those who have been monitoring and following Kwesi Pratt critically about his comments and support for the CPP, believe that he has what it takes to help bring together well-meaning and genuine Nkrumahists who believe in the ideals and tradition of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to build a formidable CPP to capture power, come 2024.
CPP AS AN ALTERNATIVE PARTY IN GOVERNMENT
It is a fact that Ghanaians who have tried and tested both the administrations of the NPP, which is still in power, and that of the NDC, which handed power in 2016, are not seeing any improvement in their living conditions. Rather, what they are witnessing currently is economic stagnation, hence the deterioration in their living conditions. There have been no proactive measures to arrest the declining state of the economy and the sufferings among the people are, indeed, unbearable. Therefore, the only option and alternative left for Ghanaians is to try the CPP and see what they can also offer this nation. But in doing so, that entrenched positions by the so-called splinter groups which claim their roots from the Nkrumahist tradition must be dismantled to rope in true and genuine CPP members and supporters who because of the unstable nature of the party, have defected to other parties including the NPP and the NDC. It is important and significant for the dormant CPP to regain its original posture and to rub shoulders with the two main political parties in our dear country, Ghana.
This article will not be complete, effective and interesting if it fails to trace and sumarise the historical background of the emergence of the CPP from the Nkrumahist era up the present state where things seem not to be going well with the party because of apathy, individual differences and leadership crisis. It is also a fact that there are quite a number of Ghanaians who are not familiar with the CPP, therefore, they will need some bit of enlightenment about the party and what it stood for in the past.
SHORT HISTORY ABOUT THE CPP
This writer was not born when the CPP was formed but history has revealed that it was a socialist party based on ideas of former president Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory. It was formed on June 12, 1949, by Nkrumah to campaign for independence of the Gold Coast. It was a governing party under Kwame Nkrumah of the autonomous British Colony of the Gold Coast from 1951 to 1957, and independent Ghana from 1957 to 1966. In 1964, the Constitution was changed to make the CPP the only legal party in Ghana, thus making the nation a one-party state. The party was banned after the 24th February 1966 coup d’etat by the National Liberation Council (NLC). It will interest readers to know that parties that followed the CPP tradition used various names to prosecute their own agenda. It was the first party to rule Ghana after the attainment of independence in 1957.
The CPP started as a vehicle of emancipation of the nation and whole of Africa, and was a party that embraced farmers, fishermen, the rural folks, the rich and the poor alike. In the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections, the party won one parliamentary seat, the Jomoro Constituency with the daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Madam Samia Nkrumah as the member of parliament. The then presidential candidate Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, performed below expectation, managing to get 1,4 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The presidential candidate in the 2012 election was Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Foster with Mr. Ivor Greenstreet being the presidential candidate for the party in the 2020 election.
SHAMEFUL SPECTACLE WITHIN THE CPP
It is a shame that the CPP which used to be a party with a larger following is now wandering in the wilderness due to protracted differences, bickering and a host of other problems basically on matters of leadership of the party. The party has men and women of integrity to manage its affairs but the lack of coordination and unity seem to be tearing the party apart. Was it not a shame that the CPP has no representation in parliament ever since Samia Nkrumah’s mandate expired in 2016?
The turn of events in this country in which the cost of living has become unbearable for the average Ghanaians, demands that the CPP must get its act together, bring all those who professed in the ideals and vision of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah together and launch a positive campaign to win the needed support for the party come 2024 general election. Now is the time for the founding members of the party, some of whom are still alive to call a spade a spade and see how best they can unite the party under one umbrella which is the CPP to make a positive impact on the country’s democratic process. Ghanaians are yearning for a third force to save them from the harrowing experiences they are currently going through.
This country is not the preserve of any group or political party to govern, it belongs to each and every Ghanaian and Ghanaians deserve every right to choose the party of their choice to run the affairs of the nation. That is why a clarion call is being made to the CPP to organise itself well to battle for the leadership and show what the party can also offer to salvage the country from the downward trend.
To borrow from the lyrics of the greatest and popular Jamaican reggae and soul musician, Jimmy Cliff, “There is suffering in the land” and Ghanaians will need selfless, dedicated and visionary leaders to lift them out of their sorrowful state as well as the current economic hardship they find themselves in.
Ghanaians have tried and tested the two major political parties-NPP, NDC- and things, especially issues regarding the economy are not working in their favour, therefore, the only alternative left for them is to look elsewhere for their salvation. The CPP can be a potential force if it can unite and re-organise itself before the 2024 general election.
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By Charles Neequaye
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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