The city of Kumasi has been transformed with red, white, and blue decorations as the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares to hold its national delegates conference. The streets are adorned with giant billboards of various aspirants, creating a festive atmosphere ahead of the election. The decorations and billboards are a testament to the party's excitement and enthusiasm as it holds the conference in its stronghold.
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the venue for the delegates' conference, is almost ready, with the main dais near completion. Multiple objects and available spaces within the Kumasi metropolis have been draped with the party's colours, heightening the mood among party supporters and sympathisers. The display and hoisting of party paraphernalia at every vantage point and traffic intersection have created a lively atmosphere, with brisk business activity for persons selling party paraphernalia and food vendors.
According to Dr Keskine Owusu Poku, the Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the NPP, all security arrangements have been made with the Ghana Police Service to ensure a smooth conference. The party has also concluded preparations with the Electoral Commission, which will oversee the election. Dr Poku expressed confidence that the conference will be incident-free, saying, "In terms of preparations, I can tell you that we are fully ready as a party."
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced that some selected roads in and around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic to ensure public safety and security during the conference. The roads leading to the stadium that will be closed include the Bridginia Traffic Lights to the Calvary Methodist Church and the Unity Oil Fuel Station to the T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School. Traffic diversion plans have been put in place to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.
To ensure a peaceful conference, the police have urged motorists, delegates, party supporters, and members of the public to strictly comply with the road closures, traffic diversions, parking arrangements, and instructions of the police. Towing trucks will be stationed at designated points to remove wrongly parked or abandoned vehicles to the KMA yard at the owners' cost. Only duly accredited delegates and vehicles will be permitted access to the designated areas and parking facilities.
The outcome of the election will signal the party's preparedness towards an effective political campaign to recapture political power from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 election. The successful completion of the national executive election leaves the party with only the election of parliamentary candidates to complete its internal elections ahead of the next general election. A total of 7,163 delegates and party sympathisers are expected to converge on the stadium to vote for their preferred candidates.
The conference will begin with discussions and debates on constitutional amendments, followed by the election of new national executives. The event is expected to be graced by the party's Flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Samira Bawumia, former Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, and acting National Chairman, Danquah Smith Buttey, among other party bigwigs. The conference marks a significant milestone in the NPP's preparations for the 2028 election.
Key points
- The NPP national delegates conference has started in Kumasi with 7,163 delegates and sympathisers expected to vote for new national executives.
- The conference aims to boost the party's preparedness for the 2028 election.
- The event features discussions on constitutional amendments and the election of new national executives.
