At a press briefing at the Sunyani Coronation Park, venue for the Congress, Baba Jamal dismissed rumours of over 1,300 Azorka warriors from the Northern Region storming the congress grounds ostensibly to beef up security.
According to him, only recognised state security personnel have been deployed to maintain security at the congress ground. Jamal noted Azorka is a responsible Constituency Chairman of the party and will be leading his group of delegates to the grounds and not warriors.
He called for fair and objective reportage without rumours and false alarm in order to ensure peace and orderliness at the Congress. He took journalists through a rigorous security checklist, accreditation procedures and the general expectations of journalists throughout the three day event.
Presidential Aide, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije cautioned against what he said is a deliberate negative agenda set against the NDC by sections of the media. He also called for fair and accurate reportage in order not to create unnecessary chaos at the Congress ground.Meanwhile, the Congress ground is already basking with pomp as party leaders, ministers of state, delegates, party footsoldiers are clad in party paraphernalia and engaging in what could be the final lobbying process.
Ex-first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has vowed to ‘dethrone’ the sitting president John Atta Mills in what is expected to be a grueling and tension packed Congress and lead the party to retain power in the 2012 General Elections.
The president however maintains he is the best bet for the party to beat the NPP in next year’s election. The two candidates both of whom are yet to arrive at the congress ground are expected to make a last gasp appeal to delegates on Saturday before voting starts.
Counting is expected to take place in the wee hours of Saturday to be followed with the declaration of results which could run into the early hours of Sunday.
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