Koforidua, Jan. 6, GNA- All is set for the formal opening of the three-day national delegates conference of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), being held at the EREDEC Hotel, Koforidua in the Eastern Region under the theme 'Moving forward in unity'.
Delegates who began arriving on Friday have completed the registration formalities and are now ready for a successful conference that is billed to rejuvenate the NPP to face the challenges ahead. President J.A. Kufour and his Vice, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, were yet to arrive at the conference venue at the time of filing this story, although National Executives and other leading members of the 'Kukrudu' fraternity are already seated on the dais.
Others, who have taken their seats include Ministers of State, Regional Executives of the party, Members of Parliament of the ruling party, District Chief Executives (DCEs), diplomats and traditional rulers.
Drumming took a centre stage at the conference grounds this morning as various kente ensembles enliven the largely partisan crowd with intricate dancing and singing.
Of particular interest is the canvassing being undertaken by supporters of various aspiring candidates for the Presidential slot of the NPP who were seen stomping round the conference venue for their preferred candidates.
Prominent in this lively but unofficial campaigns, are a group donning Tee shirts that proclaims the Vice-President while could also one could also instant delegates rooting for Dr Konadu Apraku, former Minister responsible for Regional Integration.
Other contenders include Mr Dan Botwe, former Information Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing who all had supporters displaying their banters.
Supplementing the atmosphere were vendors of kinds selling wares including confectionaries, local artifacts, party paraphernalia and food.
Traffic was heavy and it was difficult getting access to the EREDEC hotel from the Nana Kwaku School Complex, and the Police as a temporary measure closed vehicle access to sections of the conference grounds.
Commuters are now being re-directed to the Betom by-pass to re-join the Galloway route to destinations such as the Koforidua Polytechnic, New Juaben Secondary Commercial and Atekyem suburbs of the municipality.
The morning events are devoted to the formal opening of the conference and shall include speeches by President Kufuor, Mr J.H. Mensah, the Senior Minister, and the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Felix Owusu-Agyepong. More speeches on the progress of the party will be offered by the Ministers of Finance, Youth and Employment, Health, and Agriculture later in the day.
Also to do presentations are the General Secretary of the NPP, the National Treasurer and the National Chairman, who is to address the faithful on the state of the party, to be followed by a plenary session.
Sunday's activities will include an inter-denominational service to be held at the conference venue, adoption of conference resolutions and a rally at the Koforidua Jackson Park.
