TAMALE NDC SUPPORTERS IN ACCIDENT (PAGE 17)

One person died while several others sustained various degrees of injuries when the KIA vehicle conveying supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to Datoyili on the Tamale-Kumasi road was engaged in accident.
The deceased, Suweibatu Baba, 19, has since been buried. Some of the injured persons have also been treated and discharged from the Tamale Teaching Hospital while families of others who sustained broken limbs and legs have been sent to traditional healers for treatment.
According to party sources, one other female victim who sustained serious injury on the leg is likely to be flown to Accra to receive medical attention. The accident occurred between 2p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2008.
The KIA vehicle and the driver could however not be traced as the vehicle was quickly moved away from the accident scene before the Police arrived.
According to an eye witness account, more than 60 jubilant supporters were in the KIA vehicle when the accident occurred. The witness, Iddrisu Musah, said, the driver of the truck that was heading towards Datoyili, lost control in his attempt to avoid hitting an on-coming vehicle, resulting in the accident.
The victims were part of thousands of ecstatic supporters who were on their way to Datoyili to welcome the running mate of Prof. John Atta Mills of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, to the Tamale metropolis.
On arrival late in the evening, Mr Mahama and his entourage were driven to the Tamale Hospital where he visited the victims of the accident and wished them a speedy recovery. He also called on the family of the deceased, Ms Suweibatu, to express his condolence. Mr Mahama is on a three-day tour of the Northern Region to formally introduce himself to the chiefs and people of the area. It is his first visit since he was selected by the presidential candidate of the party, Professor John Atta Mills to partner him on April 9, this year.
A Vice-Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, an executive member, Bafo Bonney, the 2004 Vice-Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, and some Members of Parliament from the area are accompanying Mr Mahama on his rounds.
Among the areas he would visit are Damongo, Salaga, Bimbilla, Yendi, Nalerigu and Walewale.
And on Sunday, Mr Mahama paid courtesy calls on the respective chiefs in the metropolis where he asked for their blessings to carry on with his campaigns successfully.
At the Gulkpena’s Palace, he expressed concern over the downward trend of agriculture in the region which he said was the main occupation of the people.
Mr Mahama promised to reverse the situation for the better when the NDC was elected to power.
He, however, urged all eligible voters to register massively when the Electoral Commission begun the exercise later in the year.
“We do not need to congratulate ourselves now, we can only commend ourselves when you come out in your numbers to vote the NDC back to power to help move the nation forward,” he stated.
The Regent of Gulkpegu, Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai, called for peaceful electioneering adding that in “everything you do, think of strengthening the unity and peace of the nation first.”