Tamale Sports Stadium, the venue for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Delegates’ Congress is ready for the event, but there are no activities at the stadium to show that something will be happening there in the next 10 days.
Mr John Bosco Abase, Northern Regional Director of Sports, told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday in an interview that all that was needed for the Sports Directorate to do had been done to host the Congress, which is slated to start on April 11.
He said the party had officially booked the facility for the programme, and that his outfit had carried out the necessary preparations to receive the party delegates.
“We have carried out many maintenance, such as fixing the lighting system to ensure that the venue is well lighted, and have serviced all air conditions in the conference rooms”, he said.
Mr Abase said to ensure that the power outages do not affect the event, the generator set for the facility, which has never been serviced since it was brought, had been serviced as back-up in case of lights out.
On security, he said the inner perimeter, where ballot boxes will be placed, has been secured and all the exit points will be opened to facilitate the movement of people to and from the stadium, without disturbing the electoral process at the inner perimeter.
“Constantly we have been having series of meetings with the party officials in the region to brief them on our preparations to enable them plan”, he said.
Mr Abase hinted that the security agencies occasionally visit the venue to find out progress of their preparations saying, “As part of arrangements towards the start of the programme we will have a final meeting two days to the event to put finishing touches to our plans”, he said.
At the time of the visit to the venue, the GNA only spotted the posters of Madam Otiko Jaba, who is contesting for the National Women’s Organizer position, and Mr Paul Afoko, who is also contesting for the National Chairmanship slot.
When contacted Mr Mohammed Abdul Kodus, Northern Regional Communication Director of the party, said it will start mounting stands and decorations on Monday, April 7.
He said 1,200 security personnel would be detailed there including hostels and hotels to ensure a violent-free event in the region.
He said one wing of the stadium would be dedicated to observers, while the other wing would be allocated to VVIPs and the Media.
Former President Kufuor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and Mr Alan Kyeremanteng as well as some MPs and other parties will be expected at the event.
Mr Kodus said some 5,200 delegates are expected to cast their ballot to choose national leaders for the party.