The seventh National Delegates Congress of the People’s National Convention (PNC) will come off as scheduled in the Upper West Regional capital, Wa, tomorrow, December 12, barring any last-minute hitches.
Although some aggrieved members of the party have gone to court over what they insist is the refusal of the Congress Committee to disqualify a national chairman aspirant, the leadership of the party is confident of securing a verdict from the court that will satisfy all interest groups to pave the way for the congress to take off smoothly.
The plaintiffs — Mr David Apasera, Mr Abubakar Sadiq Kwashie Ebla and Mr Henry Haruna — want the court to disqualify Mr Bernard Mornah, the party’s General Secretary who is aspiring to become the National Chairman, from the race for allegedly issuing a dud cheque to the party while filing his nomination.
Sources close to the plaintiffs said they were simply applying the rules of engagement fairly.
The Accra High Court, before which the case has been filed, will sit today.
Discussions
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the PNC, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, told the Daily Graphic in an interview yesterday that the party hierarchy was already in discussions with lawyers of the party and the plaintiffs to explore ways of settling the matter out of court.
To be held at the Jubilee Park in Wa, the three-day congress in the spiritual home of the party is on the theme: “Victory begins from home”.
The conference will attract about 1,500 delegates and dignitaries, including diplomats, politicians and chiefs.
Eight executive positions, including the flag bearer, chairman and vice, general secretary, national organiser, national Treasurer, national women’s organiser and national Youth organiser, will be contested for.
Offshoot
The PNC is an offshoot of the erstwhile People’s National Party (PNP), which was founded in 1979 by the late Alhaji Imoro Egala.
The late Dr Hilla Limann, who became President on the ticket of the PNP, hailed from Gwollu in the Sissala West District in the Upper West Region, while Alhaji Egala’s home town is Peng in the Sissala East District.
The congress has, therefore, been slated for the Upper West Region in honour of these two great personalities for their immense contribution towards the development and growth of the party.
Confidence
The party is confident that the spirits of the founding fathers will guide it to ensure that it performs creditably well in the 2016 general election.
The congress will start with a visit by the delegates to the Paramount Chief of the Sissala Traditional Area to solicit his blessings for a successful congress.
Readiness
To show its readiness, all the principal streets of Wa have been adorned in PNC paraphernalia, flags and banners.
Pictures of the candidates contesting the various executive positions are also on display, while the various FM stations are inundated with jingles.
When the Daily Graphic visited the streets, including the Jubilee Park, delegates dressed in the colours of the party who had arrived from various parts of the country were all engaged in one activity or another to ensure a memorable event.
Mr John Kandumah, the Public Relations Officer of the party, told this paper that the party was ready for the congress.
He said every preparation, such as guesthouse and hotel arrangements, as well as security details, had been put in place to ensure a successful and peaceful congress.
According to him, the position of National Communications Secretary which was vacant would be filled when the National Executive Committee met, in consultation with the Chairman.
Vacancies for the various deputy positions would also be considered.
<<Print>>