Ahiandro: Volta will belong to CPP

The returnee Volta Regional chairman of the Convention Peoples Party, Prince Ahiandro has predicted doom on the fortunes of the ruling National Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress, promising that his party is poised to sweep the votes in next year's general elections.

He attributed the NDC"s dominance in the region to its long stay in power and the people at that time had no choice but to support them, "but now we have a new generation and a vibrant and discerning youth.”

Similarly, the NPP is enjoying some support now because it is in power, he told this reporter.

He said his decision to resign from the party had been a blessing in disguise; his brief stay away had given him new perspective on the party's fortunes and ways to better them. Personally, it had also shown him the extent of his support base, crucial knowledge for the Regional Chairman of a national party.

He said when he tendered in his resignation two weeks ago, there had been a consistent pressure and consultation from friends, party faithfuls, and the party hierarchy to come back to post since his action was not in the collective interest of the party.

Mr Ahiadro, a hotelier who owns the White Dove Hotel at Dzodze in the Ketu District and a private businessman, said these in an interview with The Statesman at Ho yesterday.

He said re-branding the party to look attractive to woo the youth is his main concern, calling on party members to “die a little for their party.”

He described the NDC's claim of dominance in the region as a “bluff” and the “so called NPP inroads” as posing no threat to the CPP's development. “Our only problem in strengthening the party in the region is finance, something I have been doing my best over the years to alleviate; if other members can do the same, l think we shall make a head way.”

It will be recalled that Mr Ahiandro resigned as Volta Regional CPP Chairman about three weeks ago to concentrate on his business. However, this did not go down well with the CPP faithful, who held crisis meeting at Dzodze two weeks ago to resolve the matter.

Although the party promised to hold a press conference to brief the nation on decisions taken at the meeting, no such conference was held. Rather, Mr Ahiandro issued a statement rescinding his decision to leave the party.

The letter, addressed to the Chairman and copied to the General and Regional Secretaries of the party, read in part, “I wish to state that having given meticulous consideration to all appeals, I have no other choice than to bow to the dictates of natural law of society. Therefore, I rescinded my decision in the interest of the party and mother Ghana”.

He told The Statesman he had not made a decision as to whether to seek re-election in the forthcoming regional congress, slated for June this year. “l don't want to disappoint my people again but l have not yet decided, I will do so when the time comes.”