PNC snubs CPP merger overture

The Peoples' National Convention has rejected the latest move by the Convention Peoples' Party for the two Nkrumaist parties to merge.

Merger attempts by the two Nkrumaist parties have been elusive for years. But the CPP, last week, presented a letter to the PNC asking for intensification of negotiations ahead of PNC's congress to elect a flagbearer.

Meanwhile, PNC Chairman Alhaji Ramadan told Joy News' Beatrice Aidoo that the party is yet to consider the letter, which comes second to their upcoming congress over the weekend.

“We have not taken any decision on this letter yet” he said: “We have more important issues to consider, our congress…our congress is more important than anything.”

He however faulted the CPP for taking entrenched positions, which he said has delayed the merger.

“What I am saying is that in the past, our efforts at coming together have always been frustrated because CPP always insists that in any merger talk, they are not prepared to let go [off] their name; they are not prepared to let go [off] their symbol, they are not prepare to let go [off] their motto.”

He said the party is not certain if the CPP has modified its avowed stance, of not allowing anyone to coerce them (CPP) into joining other parties.

But the General Secretary of the CPP Ivor Greenstreet says he believes there is hope for the two parties working together.

“I don't think the PNC have ever opposed that fact that we should find our collective way forward. What has happened in the past is that there have been difficulties at different points in time as to how that should be achieved but not that they were against us coming together in principle.”