NPP members turn out massively at conference

Cape Coast Dec. 20, GNA - Hundreds of NPP members, supporters and sympathisers, from all over the country, on Saturday trooped to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to attend the annual national delegates conference of the party.

They were in a jubilant mood, with brass band and cultural music playing in the background, as some of them did brisk business selling party 't' shirts and various paraphernalia, which had been displayed in almost all corners leading to the UCC auditorium, in the midst of heavy presence of police and other security personnel.

Donned in party colours from caps to necklaces, they hugged each other and exchanged greetings, before trooping into the auditorium, where the conference was scheduled to be opened by President John Agyekum Kufour.

The function, took off around 11.20 am, following the arrival of the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, with the delivering of fraternal messages from branches of the party in South Africa, Canada and the United States, as well as from the NDC, CPP and PNC.

Also present, were the Dean and some members of the Diplomatic Corp, members of the Council of State, ministers of state and some traditional rulers, including Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, II, the Oguaahene.

The arrival of President Kufuor, about exactly an hour later, then set the stage for actual business to begin, and those who could not get access into the auditorium, either continued to dance to brass band and cultural music, or watched proceedings on close circuit televisions mounted outside.

The three-day conference, which will be climaxed with a mammoth rally at the Victoria park on Sunday, is being attended by 600 delegates and executive council members, and will be among others, amending certain portions of the party's constitution.

One of the proposed amendments, recommends that all the five polling station executives throughout the country, should be allowed to vote at the congress of the party to elect a presidential candidate. It also includes an electoral college, which will also vote to elect a presidential candidate.

Most of the delegates the GNA spoke to, expressed their satisfaction about the smooth manner in which the conference was being organised and were hopeful that the party will win in the next election. Mrs Isha Vondolie, a delegate from the Akuapim South constituency, described the conference as "impressive and wonderful", adding, " what I have seen today is a clear sign that the party will win the 2004 elections hands down".

She said the government has worked hard within the three years and if given another chance it will perform wonders.