The youth wing of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has called off a planned demonstration which was scheduled for Monday, March 7, 2016. The demonstration was to compel government to release what they claim are the party’s assets which were confiscated after the overthrow of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Speaking to Citi News, the National Youth Organiser of the party, Ernesto Yeboah, explained that the demonstration was called off following a directive from the party’s National Chairman. “As the commander of chief for the youth wing of the Convention Peoples Party, I have called off the nationwide picket for the immediate release of all our confiscated assets on the wishes of the chairman and leader of our party,” he added. Though Ernesto said “we are not happy with that decision,” he said they respect the call from their Chairman.
“We’d have wished that the party projected a more radical face that the party appeared more independent and we would stand courageously to demand our rights. Because history tells us that nobody has had his or rights given to them on a silver platter or on the basis that they simply asked for it. But it has always been the case that it was only granted after they have fought for it. But our chairman and leader thinks differently and we respect his decision,” he noted.
CPP’s in court over seized assets
CPP in August 2015, dragged government to the Human Rights Division of the High Court to order the return of the party’s assets. A writ of summons filed on behalf of the party by its lawyer, Mr. Bright Akwetey, prayed the court to order the government to return its confiscated assets which have for the past 50 years been occupied by state agencies without the payment of rent. President Mahama last year promised to release the assets when some CPP officials paid a courtesy call on him but that pledge is yet to be fulfilled.
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