The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is implementing “stringent security arrangements” for its highly anticipated 2025 National Delegates Congress, scheduled for this Saturday, July 19, in Accra.
The comprehensive security plan, a collaborative effort between the party’s internal security and state agencies, aims to ensure law and order, prevent unauthorised access, and guarantee the safety of all attendees at the University of Ghana venue.
Major political events in Ghana, particularly those involving leadership selection or significant policy decisions like party congresses, often draw large crowds and require robust security.
Past events, while generally peaceful, have occasionally seen isolated incidents of disorder or overcrowding.
For example, some primary elections or constituency executive elections have experienced localised tensions, underscoring the need for meticulous planning for a national gathering of this scale.
The Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), which governs the operation of political parties in Ghana, implicitly places responsibility on parties to ensure order at their gatherings, complementing the overarching role of state security.
The Organizing Committee’s statement, detailing the various guidelines for the Congress, highlighted the integrated security approach.
“The Party’s internal security operatives will work in close coordination with state security agencies to maintain law and order throughout the conference period,” the Committee revealed.
This synergy between party stewards and national security forces, primarily the Ghana Police Service, is a standard practice at such high-profile gatherings in Ghana, aiming to leverage both local knowledge and professional law enforcement capabilities.
Specific measures have been outlined to safeguard delegates and the integrity of the event:
Expanded Security Zones: “Security officers shall be deployed to delegate hostels, cooking points, and resting areas to ensure safety and prevent unauthorised access.”
This commitment to securing auxiliary areas beyond the main conference hall demonstrates a holistic approach to delegate welfare.
Restricted Inner Perimeter: “The inner perimeter of the stadium is declared a restricted zone, accessible only to those assigned specific duties within that area.”
This strict access control is critical for maintaining order, managing crowd flow, and ensuring the safety of VIPs, speakers, and the electoral process itself.
Controlled Access for Aides: Recognizing that leading party members often attend with personal staff, the Committee announced that limited accreditations would be granted for accompanying aides.
This acknowledges practical needs while maintaining strict control over who enters sensitive areas.
State Security at Entry Points: For emphasis, the Committee declared that “State security personnel (Ghana Police Service) will man all designated entry points and ensure strict enforcement of accreditation procedures in accordance with established rules of engagement.”
This delegation of core access control to the national police reinforces the authority and impartiality of security checks.
Regional Gate Assignments: To facilitate smooth entry and efficient security screening, “delegates from each of the sixteen (16) regions will be assigned a designated gate of entry.”
This logistical measure aims to prevent bottlenecks and enhance the flow of thousands of delegates expected from across Ghana’s diverse regions.
The NPP typically draws delegates from over 275 constituencies, making orderly entry crucial.
The Committee issued a stern warning against any form of misconduct or disturbance: “Any person arrested for misconduct, breach of security protocols, or disturbance ‘shall be dealt with in accordance with the law, including possible prosecution’.”
This sends a clear message that disorderly conduct will not be tolerated and that legal consequences await offenders.
Crucially, the Organizing Committee issued a “strong advisory” to non-delegates:
“Non-delegates have been ‘strongly advised to stay home and follow the conference proceedings via television or other media platforms,’ because no ‘special access will be granted to non-delegates if they are not invited.'”
This measure is essential for managing crowd size, particularly at a venue like the University of Ghana, which, while spacious, has limits to its capacity for such a high-profile national event.
The NPP’s 2025 National Delegates Congress is a pivotal event, expected to draw over 6,000 official delegates. With the party poised to elect its flagbearer for the 2028 general elections, the stakes are exceptionally high, making security paramount to ensure a peaceful and credible process.
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