CPP RE-INVENTS BIG SIX

By Charles Takyi-Boadu
On the occasion of its 59th anniversary celebration, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) is probably changing the face of Ghana’s history by excluding the names of J.B Danquah, Obetsebi Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei and that of William Ofori-Atta from the ‘Big Six’.
With the exception of their ‘icon’ and founding father, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who it recognises as a true member of the ‘big six’, the CPP has removed the names of the remaining five. Instead it has re-invented what it describes as the ‘True Big Six’.
It has brought on board the names of Krobo Edusei, Komla Agbeli Gbedema, Archie Casely Hayford, Kojo Botsio and Nathaniel Azarco Welbeck, who it describes as members of the ‘True Big Six’, including the Osagyefo himself.
This was contained in a statement signed by Kosi Dedey, the Chairman of the CPP Publicity Committee, on the occasion of its 59th anniversary celebration. According to the statement, “Special recognition is hereby given to the ‘True Big Six’ (Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Krobo Edusei, Komla Agbeli Gbedema, Archie Casely Hayford, Kojo Botsio and Nathaniel Azarco Welbeck) who stood together on the podium at the Polo Grounds, on March 6th 1957 at the hour of declaration of independence.”
Even before it goes into the 2008 general elections, the CPP has committed itself to lead the country by an exemplary life to maintain discipline within national elected leadership.
The leadership of the party have thus asked individual members to rededicate themselves to unity of purpose in order to build a stronger and relevant political party to enable Ghanaians have the credible choice they deserve.
The statement further noted, “that the CPP will always have a place in the history of Ghana is undeniable, but whether the CPP will be relevant in shaping the political, social and economic direction of the future is the challenge that confronts us today.”
Considering the renewed energy and zeal that has engulfed the party in recent times, he urged the members and leadership of the party to rise to the challenge and take advantage of the goodwill currently shown by the larger Ghanaian society, affirming his belief that the CPP is up to this onerous task. Core to this, he said is a sense of commitment and discipline.
“As we commemorate the 59th anniversary, leadership urges all members to do a soul search and ask what their commitments to the party are, and how we can continue to address the matter for the overall unity and discipline within the party”, he emphasised.
In commemoration of 59years of its formation, the leadership of the party is saluting all persons alive, who were actively involved with the formation of the party. It has also singled out all those who have remained true to the cause of the party through the years and continue to offer advice and support in many ways, whilst acknowledging the tireless efforts of all persons and groups whose efforts contributed to the restoration and rejuvenation of the name CPP.
The current leadership on behalf of members of the party have also congratulated and acknowledged the work of past leaderships for all their efforts at holding the party together, saying “CPP is grateful to them all.”
Further, the leadership of the Convention People’s Party wished all its members well, and called upon all Ghanaians to join the party as it celebrates the 59th anniversary of its birth.
“We also urge all Ghanaians to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought tirelessly to liberate this country from the clutches of colonial rule”, the statement said.
It therefore prayed for the souls of its departed forebears who shed their blood in the struggle for independence to rest in peace.
“May we as members of the CPP live up to the true creed of the Party by closing our ranks and ensuring that all our thoughts are guided by Nkrumaist philosophy, and our actions guided by principles passed on from our forebears”, it noted.