Dr. Edmund Nminyem Delle, National Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CP), on Saturday lauded the determination, courage and tenacity of journalists in holding politicians and other officeholders accountable to the public. He said, "The exhibition of a sense of patriotism and professionalism by most Journalists has been the hallmark for Ghana's democratic consolidation and the relatively stable and peaceful environment in the country". Dr Delle, who was speaking to journalists in Accra to officially announce his bid for re-election as CPP Chairman noted that journalists across the globe hold the key to a country's stability, development, and to a very large extent, the socio-political direction of the state, adding that, this they must judiciously guide within the constitutional status and the ethics of the profession. He urged journalists to continue to exhibit neutrality, balance, accuracy and professionalism throughout their reportage, while reducing the tendency of reflecting their personal positions, opinions and political colours in their stories. The CPP Chairman urged journalists to be vigilant as the nation prepares for yet another election, which promises to be a test case for political parties, government, Electoral Commission, journalists and all stakeholders. "We must be vigilant or the enemy would steal the people’s mandate through crook means, while we are all asleep," Dr Delle, who described himself as committed Catholic emphasized. Dr. Delle also charged journalists to help reduce the political tension and antagonism in the country. "The Political tension, suspicion and antagonism in a non-election year is a very dangerous development and a sure recipe for disaster in an election year." He said; "As a stalwart politician, I believe that multi-party democracy and politicking should not generate into unnecessary heat, among opponents, you journalists must serve as a non-partisan think-tanks to reduce the tension. "Mediate, and counsel where necessary to harness unity among political leaders and the entire citizenry; reduce the volatile political environment and save the nation from mishaps in the future." On his chairmanship bid, Dr Delle, pledged a committed and sincere leadership service to build a formidable party capable of capturing power in Elections 2008. He said as part of his plans to re-establish a firm grip of the CPP on the country's political landscape, he would concretise the various structures of the party by uniting its front and enforcing party discipline. Dr Delle, who is also a Skin Specialist, said that without strengthening the structures at the grassroots there would be no meaningful development within the party. He appealed to well-meaning sympathisers of the CPP who have left the party to rejoin unconditionally and support its development. The CPP Chairman who is seeking re-election said there was the need to repackage the ideals and ideology of the party to make it more relevant to modern Ghanaian politics. Dr Delle, President of Rabito clinics across the country expressed the need for the party to move ahead. "We would not sit down indefinitely for people to mess us up. Individuals cannot hold the party to a stand still.” The CPP goes to Congress in November to elect a flagbearer and national executives. During the second National Delegates Congress in 2003, Dr Delle, polled 1,008 votes for the position of National Chairman, beating Mr Iddi Egala, a Chartered Accountant, who ran a very active campaign, to the second place with 394 votes, while Mr Felix Amoah, an Electrical Engineer came third with 272 votes.Source: GNA