“MY brother I never knew Tamale was that peaceful and beautiful. Whenever we hear of disturbances in the area, we become apprehensive because of the negative publicity over the years.”
This remark made by Mr Agbeko Ben Coffie, the Volta Regional Correspondent of Joy FM, summed up the views and impressions of most visitors to the metropolis when the 8th national delegates congress of the NDC was held in the metropolis at the weekend.
Mr Coffie, who visited the metropolis for the first time, could not hide his feelings as he was full of praise for residents.
Indeed, the peace and stability of the area was put to the test but the event was successfully hosted.
For most of the visitors to the metropolis, their apprehension when they got to know that the city was to host that important event gave way to excitement and satisfaction after the congress.
At the end of the day, residents, including chiefs and opinion leaders, were commended by both politicians and visitors for the peaceful nature of the event.
The visitors observed that owing to the negative publicity gained by the area over the years, many of them nearly refused to attend the congress for fear that it might end up in chaos.
Delegates, media practitioners and dealers in party paraphernalia were equally astonished about the level of peace they experienced in the area.
Madam Afia Dadziwa, a dealer in party paraphernalia who travelled from Accra to transact business in Tamale during the two-day congress, was happy but surprised at the peaceful nature of the congress that enabled her to do brisk business.
It is heart-warming to note that dealers in food, particularly guinea fowl, clothing and smock, had a field day and cashed in on the event.
Some dealers in fruit drinks and commercial drivers apparently took advantage of the event and slightly hiked their prices and charges for their services.
Mobile phone service providers also made good sales as most of them succeeded in selling all their products, including SIM cards, by the close of the event.
It was also gratifying to note that drinking spots, fast food joints, restaurants, Internet cafes, salons, hotels, guest houses and chop bars were all busy with activities and equally made huge sales.
Owners of such businesses described the event as timely and wished similar events would be organised in the metropolis.
The well laid out roads with pedestrian and bicycle lanes, the level of infrastructural development, the hospitality exhibited by residents, the appetising and sumptuous traditional dishes, as well as the general peaceful atmosphere, were the toast of visitors to the metropolis.
One pertinent question is: Will this success chalked up by residents of Tamale after the NDC congress change the perception of the north as a volatile area?
No comments:
Post a Comment