VOLTA REGION CPP REMEMBERS NKRUMAH (PAGE 17)

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho

IN connection with the 42nd anniversary celebration of the overthrow of the First Republic, members of the Convention People's Party (CPP) in the Volta Region lit bonfires and kept vigil in some constituencies to signify faith in the dreams of the freedom fighters of Ghana and Africa.
They also marked the occasion with prayers by Muslims, Christians and Traditionalists at Ziavi in the Ho Municipality, in remembrance of the martyrs of the February 24, 1966 coup.
A press release issued by the Ho-Central Constituency branch of the party stated that the coup of February 24, 1966 was not a coup against only the CPP but also against Africa's fight for emancipation and self-determination.
It said the coup was the first in the nation's history and marked a significant turning point in the quest for democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law, adding that subsequent coups could be traced to the events of 1966 and those series of coups had brought hardship and bitterness to many in Ghana and Africa.
"As we commemorate the sad events of this day, we pray that Ghanaians will resolve never again to support persons who pick up guns to overthrow constitutionally elected governments," the release said.
"We can only uphold the rule of law as a fundamental tenet of civilised society and not a point of convenience at any time of our choosing," it stated.
It said the CPP found it morally offensive when members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) continued to hail the architects of the 1966 coup, such as Kotoka and Afrifa.
The release said it was time for the government and all other political parties to join the CPP to honour the men and women who lost their lives in defending constitutionally elected governments or fell victim to overzealous soldiers.
It called for a change of the name of the only international airport to be re-named as the Accra International Airport and that all assets and property seized from the CPP should be returned.
The statement said the occasion marked the beginning of a new dawn and vision and urged all Ghanaians to light candles and say prayers for the souls of all who lost their lives on the day and to keep faith with the liberation fighters of Africa.