All set for NPP conference

Security has been heightened in Tamale ahead of the National Delegates Conference of the New Patriotic Party which will also see the election of national officers on Saturday. Security personnel comprising officials of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Army and Ghana National Fire Service, have been deployed within and outside the Tamale Stadium, where the Conference is to be held.

Heavily armed soldiers arrived in about six armoured personnel carriers and took positions inside and outside the Tamale Sports Stadium at about 7:45 Saturday morning.

With the aid of metal detectors, police officials are rigorously screening people entering the stadium for offensive materials and arms such as guns, knives, machetes and explosive devices.

Police and military patrol teams are also patrolling the streets of Tamale, while roadblocks have been set up at strategic points within the city.

Increased security became necessary after nine NPP activists were shot and injured by unknown gunmen while having fun around the Tamale West Hospital area Thursday night.

The victims were rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where they were admitted and treated for gunshot wounds.

According to the Acting Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr Misbao Mohammed, at least three of the nine victims were critically injured - with two of them needing surgery.

The incident triggered fear among a section of the public in Tamale as well as visitors who were in town for the Conference.

The Public Relations officer (PRO) of the Northern Regional Police Command, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, however, assured the public that the police will patrol every nook and cranny of the city and "saturate" the entire metropolis with police officials to ensure that the NPP congress is held successfully.

Over 5,200 delegates from across Ghana are expected to vote in today elections, with 44 candidates competing for various positions within the NPP.

The contestants are as follows:

Chairmanship: Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey (incumbent); Stephen Ntim; Paul Afoko; Fred Oware.

General Secretary: Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie; Captain Nkrabea Effah Dartey (Rtd); Yaw Buaben Asamoa; Kwabena Agyapong.

Youth Organiser: Sammy Awuku; Richard Nyamah; Emmanuel Attafuah; Gifty Oware-Aboagye; Charles Adu Gyam; Pius Enam Hadzie. Michael K. Ampong.

Women's Organiser: Otiko Djaba; Mawusi Awity; Tina Mensah.

National Organiser: Hopson Adorye; Alhaji Moctar Bamba; John Boadu

Vice Chairman: Philomina Serwaa Akoto Sam; F.F. Antoh; Sammy Crabbe; Mogtari Sahanun; Sheick T.B Damba; Michael Omari Wadie; Kenwuud Nuworsu; Fred Amankwah; Freddie Blay; Hajia Fati; Afua Kyerewa Nyantakyi.

Treasurer: Susan Mensah; Ahmed Saida Ruka; Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah; Esther Ofori.

National Nasara Coordinator: Abdulai Mohammed Tanimu; Kamal Deen Abdulai; Abubakari Sulemana; Salihu Yahaya Bo; Ahmed Sadat Awudu; Haruna M. Maiga; Mohammed A. Ibrahim; Alhaji Baba G. Ibrahim.

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