Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has asked members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the region to pull down all campaign items by the close of Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

His directive is in accordance with a decision by the NPP's National Steering Committee which banned the display of paraphernalia and advocacy for individual aspirants at the upcoming National Annual Delegates Conference slated for December 18-20, 2021 in Kumasi.

Acting under Article 10 (10) (1) of the Constitution of the Party and in furtherance of the Code of Conduct issued under Article 18, the Committee noted that "no billboards and/or sign boards, banners or any kind of outdoor signage with the images and/or names of individual members, with or without the consent of the individual, shall be acceptable."

On that score, the Ashanti Regional Minister has called for an immediate removal of all such items already mounted within the Region.

Mr. Osei-Mensah warned in a press release issued on Tuesday that "failure to obey this directive by the end of the deadline [Wednesday, December 15], the Regional Minister will have no other option but to ensure removal of all such items."

"The Party's Steering Committee has decided that no bill boards, banners, posters, et cetera of various NPP aspirants are allowed within the Ashanti Region, especially Greater Kumasi, during the National Delegates Conference. The Ashanti Regional Minister has been given the responsibility to remove all these bill boards."

"Consequently, I am requesting anyone who has mounted or pasted any of such items within the Region to remove them latest by 12 midnight tomorrow, Wednesday, 15th December, 2021," he stated.

He further added, "MMDCEs are also directed to remove all such items after the deadline."

In a press release signed by the Director of Communications, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, the NPP stated that though they cherish the competition, the conference is a time for renewal aimed at enhancing party unity.

On Covid-19 protocols, the party has instituted a vaccination policy at its 2021 National Annual Delegates Conference.

Mr. Asamoa said delegates have been advised to get vaccinated immediately, adding that all vaccinated persons should bring along their vaccination cards.

He mentioned that there will also be medical personnel at the Conference venue to support compliance with the protocols.

“The party is humbly requesting the Ghana Health Service to publish a list of places where shots of vaccine can be received in order for party members to take jabs before the Conference date,” the NPP Director of Communications added.