Samia Nkrumah (Middle) with other CPP members
THE CONVENTION People’s Party on Sunday 8th January, 2012, marked the 62nd Anniversary of “Positive Action.”
The event was symbolically held outside the James Town Mantse’s Palace (Mantse Agbonaa) and opposite James Fort Prison, according to a statement issued in Accra and signed Nii Armah Akomfrah, Director of Communication.
James Fort Prison was where Dr Kwame Nkrumah was imprisoned after declaring “Positive Action” and the events that followed his declaration.
In 1950, Dr Nkrumah declared “Positive Action,” with a campaign which involved a boycott of foreign businesses, non co-operation with the colonial government and a general workers’ strike. Public services were disrupted and when rioting occurred, Nkrumah and other CPP leaders were arrested and imprisoned.
The Sunday event was hosted by the CPP in the Odododiodoo constituency led by Chairman Adams.
In attendance were leading members of the CPP including National Chairperson and Leader, Samia Yaba Nkrumah, MP; 1st National Chairperson, Susan Adu-Amankwah; 2nd National Vice Chairperson, Rodaline Imoru-Ayarna; National Organiser, Abu Forgor; National Organising Committee Chairman, Dr Abu Sakara; Dr Nii Gborbilor Fleisher, former CPP Greater Accra Regional Chairman; Prof K. Asari, CPP Central Committee Member; Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso; Greater Accra Regional Executive members, Constituency Executive members, party members and sympathisers, as well as members of the general public.
The party paid a courtesy call on the James Town Mantse – Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V.
The Paramount Chief was happy to receive the CPP delegation and wished the Party well.
A brass band procession through the local streets attracted a following of mostly young people to Mantse Agbonaa to see and listen to the CPP Leader, Samia Nkrumah and her colleagues.
In her address, the CPP Chairperson told the crowd she had prayed for God’s guidance to grant the leaders of the party the moral courage to carry through the process of transforming the party, and also the struggle to ensure Ghana gains control of its natural resources for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
Speaker after speaker hammered home the significance of “Positive Action” and the need to mark the anniversary.
In 1950, Dr Nkrumah had said that as part of the positive action programme, “The passive sympathy of the masses must be converted into active participation in the struggle for freedom….”
The overwhelming feeling at the anniversary event was that the goodwill of Ghanaians towards the CPP should be translated into active support for the party in its quest to renew itself to serve Ghanaians.
“Positive Action” was marked by the CPP in various constituencies across the country.