The blue, white and red colours of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) adorned the entire metropolis of Tamale last Saturday, when thousands of party supporters, delegates and executives converged on the city to select their national executive at its maiden conference in the north.
The venue for the congress, the Tamale Sports Stadium, turned into a carnival as the enthusiastic sympathisers of the largest opposition party sang, danced and eulogised the founding fathers and leadership of the party.
As the fate of the 44 men and women contesting the various positions was yet to be decided amidst anxiety and tension, their loyal supporters could be seen openly campaigning for their respective candidates through the distribution of leaflets and miniature posters.
Anybody who mattered in the affairs of the NPP was present at the congress. They included some of the founding fathers, members of the council of elders, as well as current and former executives. Others were former and current NPP Members of Parliament, former ministers of state and the contestants.
They were spotted in various apparels, including smocks and Polo shirts and hats, all laced with the party’s insignia.
The presidential candidate of the party in the last presidential election, Nana Akufo-Addo, and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as well as Mr Alan Kyerematen were also present.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor could not, however, make it to the conference ground since, according to his former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, he had travelled outside the country on an official visit.
Also in attendance were representatives of other political parties, including the National Democratic Congress, Peoples National Convention, Convention Peoples Party, Progressive Peoples Party and the National Democratic Party.
Weather
Although the rainy season had begun in the north, the weather on Saturday was very warm, thus compelling the people to use any available material to fan themselves as they drank several bottles of water to replenish their bodies.
A dealer in soft drinks, Fati Musah, said, “I was able to sell more than 30 cartons of bottled water and several bottles of other drinks I brought into the stadium, following the heat wave as people drank to cool off their system.”
Food vendors
Following the huge number of delegates and supporters, food and kebab sellers, as well as dealers in party paraphernalia, had a field day. According to Hajia Muniratu Issah, “within three hours, the large quantities of rice and beans and jollof I had brought to sell had finished as people still demanded more”.
Madam Faustina Manu, who sold a lot of wares including party insignia of various types, said, “I made about GH¢1,800 from sales; indeed the conference was good for me.”
Accreditation
The entire organisation of the conference was fairly good, except for the issue of accreditation. After being stranded for a while in frantic search for their accreditation, journalists finally had to queue at a spot opposite the stadium to receive their accreditation without pictures, which the organisers had demanded days before the event.
It was not orderly as some journalists had to hustle and persuade the officers incharge to reason with them before some were issued with accreditation.
Security
There was heavy presence of security personnel as promised by the Director-General of Police incharge of operations, Commissioner of Police John Kudalor. The over a thousand police and military personnel were all over the venue and the principal streets of the metropolis.
While some patrolled the area, others were in armoured vehicles at strategic locations in and around the stadium to ensure the protection of life and property.
Only delegates and those with accreditation were allowed into the stadium. Many party supporters who could not gain entry stayed outside in the scorching sun drumming and dancing.
Some members of the NPP were arrested by the police for faking accreditation cards to gain entry to the venue.
Successful congress
Many delegates and observers described the conference as largely successful except for last Thursday’s shooting incident at Zogbeli, a suburb of the Tamale, by some unknown assailants leading to a number of persons sustaining injuries.
A delegate from Koforidua, Albert Ansah, said, “I am very satisfied with the organisation except for some few lapses which is normal in any such big events.”
“I thank the people of Tamale for their hospitality; for the first time, I also enjoyed the guinea fowl meat and tuo zaafi (TZ),” Faustina Ocran from the Greater Accra Region also said.
