THE crowd was massive, the mood was exhilarating and the outcome of the Eighth National Delegates’ Conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Tamale was not only peaceful but also highly successful.
The perceived tension and animosity in the party that preceded the holding of the congress in Tamale eventually gave way to hugs and chanting of unity and victory songs amongst the protagonists.
Indeed most delegates to the congress have described the three-day event on the theme “Fulfilling the better Ghana agenda” as a victory for the NDC and for democracy.
In all, there were 1,900 delegates with 64 candidates contesting for nine positions. It attracted thousands of accredited observers, including diplomats from Ghana and the rest of Africa, Europe and North America.
Indeed the congress virtually brought the seat of government to the sprawling northern regional capital of Tamale. The people who gathrered included the President, Vice President former President, Ministers of State, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and other government functionaries from all parts of the country.
“This congress will certainly leave a lasting impression, for its successful outcome has amply demonstrated that we can always disagree to agree, as well as use dialogue to iron out our differences,” Hajia Fulera Mahama, a delegate, stated.
She also commended the residents of Tamale, leadership and supporters of the NDC for the maturity displayed during the entire period of the congress and indicated that “we have shown the whole world that our party is not made up of people of violent characters after all and has also reinforced the fact that the people of Tamale are hospitable and peace-loving rather than what we have been made to believe sometimes to the contrary.”
The closing remarks of President Atta Mills also summed up the outcome of the congress when he said, “If our detractors are disappointed, we have no apology for them. The result of the congress is a determination of all to build a better Ghana.”
Indeed, commendation should go to the Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Sumani Zakari, and his team of executive, who worked very hard to ensure the success of the programme, which was the first of its kind to be organised in the northern part of the country. It was also the first mass gathering of the ruling party since the 2005 congress in Koforidua.
The Northern Regional Police Commander, Mr Angwutugbe Awuni, must also be given thumbs up for leading the 200 strong police personnel to ensure peace and order before, during and after the congress.
Equally deserving of mention is the NDC Northern Regional vice-chairman of the party, Alhaji Chief Sofo Azorka who organised some able-bodied men to complement the police efforts in controlling the enthusiastic crowd who had massed up at the congress grounds to have a feel of the euphoria.
All was certainly not rosy. The issues about accreditation and accommodation were major challenges to the organisers. Majority of the media personnel who covered the congress spent two days of frustration after taking several photographs. At because at the end we all had to make do with our identity cards.
Some few delegates and party supporters who had travelled from far and near as observers had to put up on the tables in the auditorium and elsewhere.
At the end of the orderly but gruelling election supervised by the Electoral Commission, the incumbent Chairman and General Secretary, Dr Kwabena Adjei and Asiedu Nketia, aka General Mosquito, respectively, retained their positions with overwhelming approval.
The six vice-chairmanship positions went to the wife of former President Rawlings, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya Kofi Porturphy, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Alhaji Said Sinare and Mr Danny Annan.
The Spokesperson for the former President, Mr Kofi Adam, and George Lawson became the two Deputy General Secretaries of the party, while the position of Propaganda Secretary went to Richard Quarshigah, with Kamel Noshie becoming the Treasurer.
New National Executive Committee members including Alhaji Babalamin Abu-Sadat, Victoria Kumah Mintah, John Owusu Agyeman, Richard Lartey and Dr E.K. Hayford were also sworn in.
Congress also amended portions of the party’s constitution. The delegates voted in favour of some amendments, including the creation of a Party Leader position.
The position, voted for massively by the delegates, will have a sitting President of the country who is a member of the NDC as the leader, or the party chairman takes up the position when the party is out of government or any person elected the flag bearer of the party in case the sitting President is not elected the flag bearer.
Congress also accepted to expand its constituency delegates to regional conferences from six to eight besides the creation of a three-man special complaints committee to deal with complaints of and about party officers and the creation of an office of a director of electoral issues.
Consideration and voting on some other proposals, including the amendment of the Propaganda Secretary in favour of Communications Secretary or Political Education Officer, were, however, deferred for either being too controversial or the time not beingconducive.
Most of the delegates expressed satisfaction with the choices they made. Alhaji Musah Issah from the Ashanti Region described the new executive as very matured. “Our elected leaders are made up of a blend of very experienced persons who have mastered the art of politics over the years.”
According to President Mills, “the campaign for the 2012 elections has just begun, and we will win”.
The President, who had in an earlier speech described himself as a serial loser turned serial winner, stressed that the NDC would surely win in the coming elections.
“If our detractors are disappointed, we owe them no apology because God is on our side. He listened to us and gave us more than what we asked from Him,” he said to a loud applause from the delegates.
Well, time will surely tell whether or not the NDC will be united for victory in the 2012 elections.
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