The 8th National Delegates’ Congress of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) currently underway in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale.

The epic 8th National Delegates’ Congress of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) currently underway in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale.

Delegates are seated and everyone that matters in the NDC is here in the West African Examination Centre, where the faith of about 65 aspirants hoping to be given the mandate to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years will be decided.

President John Evans Atta Mills, Vice-president John Mahama, former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, Finance Minister, Kwabena Duffuor, Trade Minister, Hannah Tetteh, Deputy Finance Minister, Fiifi Kwetey, Minister of Lands and Forestry, Collins Dauda and a host of other ministers of state and their deputies are all here.

The congress is under the theme "Fulfilling Better Ghana Agenda" and is the first major gathering of the party since recapturing power in the December 2008 elections.

The run-up to the congress itself was dogged by acrimony and allegations of vote buying, and factionalism on the lines of the founder of the party, J.J. Rawlings and President Mills.

Remnants of this can be heard on the congress grounds as supporters for various candidates openly campaign for their favourites.

Party bigwigs, reports say are prevailing on Mr Rawlings to steer clear of making controversial statements at today’s congress – something he has become notorious for.

In concert with parties in power, the crowds that have gathered here are simply indescribable.

Within the congress hall itself, all is calm and proceedings have begun peacefully, with President Mills, Vice President Mahama, General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman Dr. kwabena Adjei, Majority Leader Alban Bagbin, J.J. Rawlings and wife Nana Konadu, all sharing the front roll of the high table.

Security is very strict and delegates, journalists and observers must go through rigorous checks to access the venue.

Delegates representing various constituencies around the country are are here, while other political parties and the diplomatic corpse are represented.