TAMALE PREPARES FOR NDC NATIONAL CONGRESS (PAGE 14, JAN 11, 2010)

FERVENT preparations are ongoing in the Tamale metropolis for the hosting of the National Delegates Congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the metropolis.
So far the National Organising Committee of the party has expressed satisfaction with the levels of arrangements to ensure a successful congress that will come off on January 15 to 16 this month at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Examinations Centre.
According to the National Organiser of the NDC, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the metropolis has enough facilities to host the over 3,000 expected delegates and commended the Local Organising Committee for its tremendous efforts.
Addressing the press in Tamale, he explained that the choice of Tamale as the venue for this year’s congress was arrived at following the loyalty and support the party had enjoyed from the northern region over the years.
Other members of the committee present were Mr Fritz Bafour, chairman of the publicity planning committee; Professor Kwamena Ado and Nii Adjei Lamptey, members of the grounds and accommodation committees respectively. Also present was Dr Don Arthur from the Office of the President.
Among the accommodation facilities the team visited were the GETFund hostel and the venue for the congress.
On security, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabingba, expressed the commitment of the Regional Security Council to ensure an incident-free congress.
He, therefore, appealed to residents of Tamale to consider the congress as a challenge and an opportunity to showcase the metropolis to the world as a hub of commerce and hospitality.
The local economy in the area is expected to get a boost as those in the hospitality industry such as hoteliers, food vendors, taxi drivers and traders will be cashing in on the thousands of visitors who will be trooping to the metropolis for the congress.
Already almost all hotels and guests houses in the city are said to have been fully booked by the NDC. Some of the delegates would, however, be housed in the dormitories of some second cycle institutions while tents are to be erected at some strategic locations for others, according to the Local Organising Committee of the party in Tamale.