Tragedy Hits NDC

THE OPPOSITION National Democratic Congress (NDC) was last Saturday hit by a tragedy when about 60 supporters were involved in a motor accident at Tamale in the Northern Region resulting in the death of one and injury of several others.

The accident nearly took the shine out of the otherwise successful triumphant entry of John Dramani Mahama into Tamale as part of his campaign tour of the three northern regions.

Nineteen-year-old Suaba Baba, who just completed Junior High School, lost her life, while majority of the injured were in critical condition and those with minor injuries treated and discharged at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The deceased has since been buried.

The supporters, who were in a cargo truck, were on their way to join other party faithful who had converged on the Tamale Barrier to welcome John Dramani Mahama, running mate to Prof. Evans Atta Mills, when the accident happened.

They were rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital by some journalists who were travelling with Mr Mahama.

According to Mawuko Zormelo, the driver of the truck might have been carried away by the euphoria and was driving carelessly.

He said the driver lost control of the steering wheel in his attempt to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming articulated truck and in the process lost his balance and crashed it.

The driver was said to have quickly mobilized some supporters of the party to turn the truck back on its wheels and sped away, ostensibly to avoid police arrest.

Mr. Mahama had to cut short other engagements to visit the injured at the hospital on hearing the news.

On the trip were Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, a Vice-Chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, General Secretary, Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Alhaji Sumani Zakari, Northern Regional Chairman of NDC.

The NDC officials were conducted round the wards by Dr. Ken Sagoe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital.

Surprisingly, most of the victims were hearty and were rather wishing John Mahama well in his pursuit and as well declared their willingness to die for the party.

The Bole/Bamboi MP wished the patients well and pledged to take care of their medical expenses.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, Dr. Sagoe indicated that when the patients were brought in the doctors, nurses and other paramedics were overwhelmed and that he had to even fall on those who had closed for the day, as they were all recalled to the hospital in addition to two Egyptian doctors who worked around the clock to save the lives of the wounded people.

The hospital CEO said about four people were in critical condition, while about 30 had been discharged.

He said at a point the hospital was besieged by party and family members, who accused the officials of neglecting the accident victims.

Dr. Sagoe however discounted those claims and said the hospital went beyond the normal protocol to attend to the victims without asking them if they had the means to pay before being treated.

He added that the hospital had to stretch its limited resources, including sending some of the patients to a nearby government hospital for X-ray; a demonstration of the hospital's commitment to save people by giving them the best of medical care.

The NDC officials commended Dr. Sagoe and the other staff of the hospital for their dedication.

The funeral of the deceased was attended by Mr. Mahama and party officials including Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni.

From Wisdom Peter Awuku & Stephen Zoure, Tamale