Drama at CPP congress
Drama unfolded at the Convention People’s Party (CPP) congress at the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre at La, near Accra, last weekend when Ivor Kobina Greenstreet stunned bookmakers with a landslide win over his three other contestants.
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Prior to the congress, rumour was rife that it was going to be ‘cool chop’ for the former chairperson of the party and daughter of the founder of the party, Ms Samia Yaba
Nkrumah. Mr Greenstreet was considered an underdog due to his disability.
His victory might have come as a surprise to many if the signs picked up before the voting were anything to go by.
Before the results were declared by the Electoral Commission official, supporters of Mr Greenstreet spontaneously started chanting “eye Green oh Green” signifying that he had won.
No sooner had the results been declared than rumours started making the rounds that there was heavy vote-buying on the part of Mr Greenstreet.
Claims of vote-buying
Some leading members of the party heavily descended on the newly-elected flag bearer, “for using money to influence delegates.”
The ‘accusers’ are defeated presidential aspirants Mr Bright Akwetey and Ms Nkrumah, as well as Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa.
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They claimed that money exchanged hands at Saturday’s congress of the party and that enabled Mr Greenstreet to emerge as the flag bearer of the party.
However, Mr Greenstreet has described as “untrue” and “unfortunate” claims that he induced delegates.
He stated that he did not engage in media hype but rather adopted a “covert campaigning strategy” which worked in his favour.
He admonished members of the party to put aside their differences and ensure that the CPP wins the November presidential election.
Vote-buying allegations
Ms Nkrumah alleged that most of the delegates received between 200 and 500 Ghana cedis to vote for the former general-secretary of the party.
A leading member of the party, Professor Badu Akosa, also claimed that delegates who voted in Saturday’s primary voted for money.
“CPP has voted for money…that is the choice of congress sadly and as a democrat, I have to accept but congress has voted for money,” Akosa said.
Prof. Akosa, who tipped Samia to win with more than 80 per cent of votes cast, expressed his disappointment with delegates after the results were declared.
The former Director-General of the Ghana Health Services said even though he had accepted the choice of the delegates, it was sad that they decided to sell their votes.
“This is not the results that I expected but congress has spoken and as a democrat I have to accept the results,” Prof. Akosa told the media.
mind-boggling victory
Mr Akwetey described Mr Greenstreet’s victory as mind boggling.
According to him, Greenstreet would not have won the Saturday ballot if delegates considered competence.
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Speaking on the outcome of the elections yesterday, Mr Akwetey said although Greenstreet was hardworking, he influenced the delegates heavily with money to win the slot.
“What is happening in the CPP is worrying. We appear to be learning from the corrupt practices of the NDC and NPP, which they were moving away from.
“Everyone who was there will tell you that money exchanged hands and even though he is hardworking and has visited almost every part of the country, it is mind boggling that he won. He paid the delegates and he knows that. As for me, I work hard for my money so I won’t go and share it like that, I won’t do that,” he fumed.
He, however, added that in spite of his grievances, he would work to support the newly elected flag bearer as they approached the 2016 elections.
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Surprising outcome
In what was a surprising outcome from Saturday’s National Delegates’ Congress, Ivor Greenstreet brushed aside competition from Samia Nkrumah to emerge victorious.
Greenstreet garnered 1,288 votes representing 64 per cent of the valid votes cast as against Samia's 579 votes. Other candidates, Bright Akwetey and Joseph Agyapong, secured 42 and 83 votes respectively. The total votes cast was 2006 with 14 rejected ballots.
The former General Secretary of the CPP would, thus, lead the party into the November elections and would face NPP’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and NDC’s John Mahama.