A Presidential aspirant of the People's National Convention (PNC), Professor Yakubu Saaka, says the Party needs "something new" to move it forward.

Addressing a PNC regional congress in Cape Coast, Prof Saaka formally declared his intention to contest the Party's presidential primaries, saying it was time for him to take the mantle of leadership so as to move it forward.

"We cannot stay where we are," he reiterated, adding that with his involvement in the Party since its formation in 1992, he could not be regarded as a stranger.

He described himself as someone devoted to the party, and "a dedicated follower" of Dr Edward Mahama, adding that even though Dr Mahama has "kept the name of the Party alive, it was his turn to take over.

Prof Saaka traced his political career from 1979, as a former Member of Parliament and a deputy Foreign Minister in the Limann government during which he also served in some other capacities.

He urged the delegates to the Party's national congress to be held in Bolgatanga to elect him as the presidential candidate.

"I promise you that I can do it", he stressed.

He bemoaned the fact that the Party currently lacked financial and logistical resources to reorganise itself into a formidable institution so as to become a true player in Ghanaian politics.

He mentioned the lack of office accommodation and means of transport for constituency branches of the Party and pledged to help source the necessary support to remedy the situation.

On the relationship between the PNC and the Convention People's Party (CPP), Prof Saaka held that Nkrumahists "should see the PNC as their number one hope".

The regional secretary, Mr Macdonald Kobbs Tongo, said the Party needs to elect someone with a vision and capable of strengthening it at all levels, particularly, paying attention to foot soldiers who are its bulwarks.

Mr Tongo described the PNC and CPP as one family and expressed the wish that the mistrust between the two parties would be eliminated.

He appealed to all political parties to conduct their campaigns with decorum and urged the media to avoid sensationalism in reporting political issues.

The congress returned unopposed the regional executive under the chairmanship of Mr Abass Mohamed. However, there was no nomination for the position of a women's organizer.


Source: GNA