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Politics of Friday, 12 October 2012

Source: GNA

Delegates start arriving for maiden NDP congress in Kumasi

Delegates to the maiden congress of the National Democratic Party (NDP), a breakaway faction of the ruling NDC, have started arriving in Kumasi.

The Baba Yara Sports Stadium, venue for the event, was being put in shape as workmen busily erected canopies and arranged the seats when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited on Friday.

Streets leading to the stadium had been adorned with the green, black and red colours.

This comes barely a month-and-a-half after the NDC had held its extraordinary congress at the same place to confirm President John Dramani Mahama as its presidential candidate.

Some smart individuals had taken advantage of the programme to do brisk business through the sale of the NDP’s paraphernalia, badges, key-holders and other souvenir at the main entrance to the stadium.

A total of 1,150 delegates - five from each of the 230 constituencies, are expected to be on hand to decide who leads them to battle for political power on December 7.

There would also be the launch of the party’s election manifesto and the approval of its constitution.

Mr. Jerry Nketia, a member of the National Communication Team, said they were confident of a successful congress.

Adequate security arrangements had been put in place and they did not anticipate any problems, he added.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings would address the gathering. There would also be solidarity messages from the other political parties.