The skylines of Kumasi have been painted red, white and blue as the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) converge on the Ashanti Regional capital for a conference to elect its national officers.
The streets have been heavily decorated with party colours, banners, billboards and posters as national executive aspirants continue their final campaigns ahead of the election.
From Sofoline through the Abrepo Junction to the Airport Roundabout, they are awash with giant billboards of the various aspirants, giving residents a feel of the upcoming party event.
Similarly, the road from the KNUST Junction through the Anloga Junction to Adum has many billboards of aspirants, as well as the precinct of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the venue for the delegates' conference.
The main dais for the ceremony is near completion
Also, multiple objects and available spaces within the Kumasi metropolis, including trees and streetlight poles, have been draped with the party’s red, white and blue colours as it holds the conference in its stronghold.
The display and hoisting of party paraphernalia at every vantage point and traffic intersection have heightened the mood among party supporters and sympathisers in the region.
Aside from the political activity, the election has been characterised by brisk business activity for persons selling party paraphernalia and food vendors.
They have set up their respective trades at eye-catching points around the stadium to cash in on the electoral activity.
Everything is set
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Ashanti Regional Communications Director, NPP, Dr Keskine Owusu Poku, said everything was set for the event.
Giants bill boards of candidates are shrouded on the road leading to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi
He said all security arrangements had been made with the Ghana Police Service for improved security to ensure a smooth conference.
Similarly, he mentioned that the party had concluded preparations with the Electoral Commission that would oversee the election.
"In terms of preparations, I can tell you that we are fully ready as a party and expect an incident-free conference," he said.
Accreditation
On accreditation for the media, he said only accredited media personnel would be allowed into some designated areas, saying, "if you are not accredited, the security will not allow anyone access to areas".
Some patrons at the stadium to mount billboards of their candidates.
He urged party supporters, sympathisers and the general public to cooperate and adhere to all arrangements to ensure a peaceful conference.
Road closures
Ahead of the event, the Ashanti Regional Police Command announced that some selected roads in and around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, to ensure public safety, effective traffic management and security during the conference.
NPP colours draped on all available space at the Baba Yara Stadium
A statement signed by the Head, Public Relations Unit, Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godwin Ahianyo, said roads leading to the stadium that would be closed are the Bridginia Traffic Lights to the Calvary Methodist Church, the Unity Oil Fuel Station to the T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School and Is My Kitchen Restaurant to the Bridginia Traffic Lights.
Traffic diversion
To facilitate the smooth flow of traffic, commercial vehicles from Amakom will proceed straight towards Asokwa, while vehicles from Asafo will be diverted at the Bridginia traffic lights towards Asokwa or the Amakom Traffic Lights.
Also, commercial vehicles from LLL towards the T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School will proceed straight to the Amakom traffic lights; vehicles from the Kumasi City Mall towards the Afful Nkwanta Junction will be diverted through the Bulldog Restaurant and traffic from Afful Nkwanta will proceed straight towards the Kumasi City Mall.
The command further emphasised that all delegates and vehicles attending the event must be duly accredited, saying “only duly accredited delegates and vehicles will be permitted access to the designated areas and parking facilities”.
Towing
The statement advised motorists not to park in unauthorised areas or attempt to drive through designated roadblocks.
“MTTD personnel will be stationed at strategic locations to direct motorists and enforce the traffic management arrangements.
Towing trucks will also be stationed at designated points to remove wrongly parked or abandoned vehicles to the KMA yard at the owners’ cost,” it said.
It further urged all motorists, delegates, party supporters and members of the public to strictly comply with the road closures, traffic diversions, parking arrangements and instructions of the police.
Delegates conference
The outcome of the election signals the party’s preparedness towards an effective political campaign to recapture political power from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 election.
Traders have mounted paraphernalia of the NPP at the stadium enclave
The successful completion of the national executive election leaves the party with only the election of parliamentary candidates to complete its internal elections ahead of the next general election.
A total of 7,163 delegates and party sympathisers are expected to converge on the stadium to vote for their preferred candidates as the party gears up for the crucial 2028 election.
The conference begins with discussions and debates on constitutional amendments, followed by the election of new national executives.
It is expected to be graced by the party’s Flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife, Samira Bawumia, former Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor and acting National Chairman, Danquah Smith Buttey and other party bigwigs.
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