Nana, Bawumia Storm Tamale

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo

The Tamale Metropolis is set for the much-awaited arrival of the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. 

The two will join other Muslims throughout the country on Saturday April 14 to pray for peaceful registration, elections and transition to a Nana Addo-led government. 

Even before their arrival, vantage points within the Tamale Metropolis have been decorated with NPP colours and other party paraphernalia.

Almost all hotels and guesthouses within the Tamale Metropolis have been fully booked following the earlier arrival of top guns of the NPP from across the country to join in Saturday's prayers at the Jubilee Park. 

Some activists who were unable to secure hotel accommodation have made arrangements with friends to stay in their homes ahead of Saturday.    

This is the first time, since the 2008 elections, that a major event is being organized by the opposition party. The event is aimed at strengthening the party's roots in the Northern Region. 

The Northern Regional Secretariat of the NPP in the last three years had indicated its readiness to tackle the NDC boot-for-boot so that it would not capitalize on flaws within its ranks to rig votes as witnessed in previous elections.  

It is believed that the visit by the flagbearer and his running mate will inject some vigor in foot-soldiers who are ready to work to return the NPP into power. 

Briefing DAILY GUIDE on the visit, NPP Northern Regional Secretary and member of the local organizing committee, Dr. Clifford Braimah, indicated that the duo was expected to touch down at the Tamale airport today, Friday April 13, 2012. 

He said they would be welcomed by enthusiastic party supporters on the principal streets of Tamale, after which they would drive straight to Nalerigu Traditional Capital of Mamprugu. 

The visit is aimed at further enhancing the relationship between the party and the Nayiri Overlord Mamprugu and to also solicit his blessings for Dr. Bawumia who is a royal. 

The flagbearer and his entourage will undertake similar visits within the eastern and western corridors of Mamprugu where the popularity of his running mate has increased tremendously in recent times.

According to the NPP scribe, they would be ushered into Tamale the following day at about 10:30am from the airport junction to prepare for the Muslim prayers at 3pm, followed by recitation of the Qur'an. 

Meanwhile, the Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Abubakari, has lauded the national hierarchy of the party for decentralizing some of its major activities. 

This, he noted, had defeated the erroneous impression that the party was an Akan one, urging all well-meaning Ghanaians to play a part in the NPP's 2012 victory. 

'All must get on board the winning team which has the potential of reforming the country to the admiration of Ghanaians,' he remarked. 

He disclosed that the Upper West was strategically positioned to snatch several seats from the ruling party but noted that it could only be achieved through concerted efforts.

From Stephen Zoure, Tamale