NDC supporters march in Kumasi
Hundreds of supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by some regional executives of the party, yesterday went on a three-hour procession through some principal streets of the Kumasi metropolis.
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The procession was to thank President John Dramani Mahama for implementing a number of development projects in the Ashanti Region since assuming office and to also canvass for votes for the party in the next general election.
Carrying placards with pictures of mainly ongoing projects in the region, the demonstrators marched through the streets of the city amid brass band music.
The march, organised by Organised Youth for Ashanti (OYA), was earlier scheduled to come off on February 24, 2013, but had to be called off at the last minute.
That was because the date for the event clashed with a demonstration planned by the Movement for Change, a pseudo New Patriotic Party pressure group.
The Procession
Dubbed ‘1000 March For John Mahama’, the procession, which was supposed to start at 7 a.m., was delayed for about two hours as the leaders awaited more people to join the others who had initially gathered at the Kumasi Centre for National Culture (CNC).
The march finally took off at around 9:30 a.m. with many sympathisers and party members who thronged the CNC to show their support for the President and to encourage him to do more for the region.
They marched from the CNC through Pampaso, Prisons through Asafo Interchange via Labour Round About, Jubilee, Manhyia Police and ended at the Asawase Park.
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Amid singing and dancing, they praised the President for his visionary leadership that had seen the region benefiting from many development projects and pledged their support for the party. They also promised to campaign for the NDC in the region.
Some of the dignitaries that took part in the procession were District Chief Executives (DCEs), Members of Parliament (MPs) and regional and constituency executives of the NDC.
Projects
Some of the placards showed pictures of projects such as the 500-bed military hospital under construction at Afari, the 120-bed regional hospital at Sewua and the 60-bed Tepa District Hospital.
Others were the proposed new Kumasi Central Market, community senior high schools and the Kumawu Project.
Message
Addressing the teeming supporters at the Asawase Park, the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the party, Mr Brogya Gyenfi, assured the party supporters of the executive’s readiness to showcase the good works of the President in the region.
He said in spite of the power crisis that the coungtry was facing, President Mahama had been able to bring some appreciable level of development in the region, which ought to be celebrated.
He said even though the President was not from the region, he had shown in deeds that he had the interest of the region at heart.
According to him, the procession was not in any way to rubbish the plights of people resulting from the ongoing power crisis, but a show of appreciation to the President.
The former Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Yamin, reiterated the party’s determination to win one million votes for the party in the next election.
He said although the party’s vision was to win one million votes, the turnout for the procession showed that the projection could be doubled.
He asked the party faithful to remain resolute behind the party and ensure that they won more members into the party for a one touch victory for the President to continue his good works.
Other party leaders and DCEs also took turns to address the gathering and the theme that ran through their messages was the need for all to support the party to retain power.
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They included the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of NDC, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum; MP for Ahafo Ano North, Mr Akwasi Adusei; DCE for Atwima Nwabiagya, Mr Asare Bediako; DCE for Kwabre East, Mr Iddisa Adams and Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asokore Mampong, Mr Nuhu Hamiddan.