NPP delegates conference votes on reforms tomorrow

A proposed amendment to alter the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constitution to expand the base of delegates for the election of its presidential candidate will be one of the critical issues on the table as more than 5,500 delegates of the party converge on Accra tomorrow for the National Delegates Conference.

In all, about 50 proposed amendments are on the cards to reshape the party to make it stronger and more resilient for the future.

Party stalwarts Peter MacManu and Evans Nimako have tabled an expunction of Article 13 (1) (9) from the constitution to abolish the Special Electoral College in the election of the party’s presidential candidate.

They argue that the Special Electoral College, per its composition, is not representative, delays the conduct of presidential primaries and never served the purpose of minimising undue contestation.

It proposes that all members of the National Council, the National Executive Committee, the Regional Executive Committee, the Constituency Executive Committee, electoral area coordinators, the Polling Station Executive Committee, the National Council of Elders and National Patrons of the Party should be part of the expanded electoral college.

The rest are all past National Directors who are NPP members, Members of Parliament, past National Officers, 15 delegates from every external branch, founder members who are signatories to the registration documents of the party at the Electoral Commission, one TESCON representative from each recognised tertiary institution, and all card-bearing ministers and deputy ministers as well as all metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), and  three representatives of each of the special organs of the party should also have the right to exercise their franchise in the election of a flag bearer.

Legal action

Meanwhile, two members of the party have filed a motion at the High Court seeking to halt tomorrow’s conference.

In the application filed at the court yesterday which has been slated for hearing on Thursday, July 24, this year, the plaintiffs, Shamsudeen Iddrisu, and Boateng Kwadwo are of the view that the party flouted its constitution by failing to organise a constituency and regional delegates conference, a constitutional prerequisite for organising a National Delegates Conference.

They further argue that the party’s national council was not clothed with the authority to waive the constitutional requirements for organising constituency and regional Annual Delegates Conferences prior to that of a National Annual Delegates Conference.

They added that it is only the National Annual Delegates Conference which is the supreme governing body of the party that has the sole authority to waive such constitutional provisions.

The two plaintiffs averred that despite expressing their grievances in a petition to the National Executive Council (NEC) concerning what they described as “unlawful”, the NEC had ignored them.

They are, therefore, praying the court to issue an order for interlocutory injunction restraining the party from organising the Extraordinary Delegates Conference.

If the court action is properly served on the authorised officials of the party, the conference should not proceed.

However, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, told the Daily Graphic that no court had served the party any such notice of an action pending before it.

Conference theme

The theme for the 2025 National Annual Delegates Conference is “Rebuilding Together with our Values”, which is a call to the party’s values, principles and standards that gave rise to the party’s tradition.

It is also a call for members to reconnect with its roots, which gives members hope and treasure the country.

The Chairman of the Delegates Conference Planning Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu, told the Daily Graphic that more than 50 amendments had been reduced to resolutions and put in a language easy to understand.

Moreover, he said, the proposed amendments had been circulated a month ago and delegates would have digested them to make the conference process smooth.

As to whether the amendments would be adopted before the January 31, 2026, presidential primaries, Mr Osei-Owusu said it often took time before the constitution was amended to reflect the changes.

He, however, said presidential primaries would be guided by the existing constitution if the new one was not ready.

He urged members of the party to conduct themselves in a manner that would bring greater honour to the party and themselves.

No pictures/banners

To ensure the arena does not become a campaign ground for aspiring presidential candidates, the planning committee has banned all campaign-related materials ahead of  the conference.

It forms part of measures to maintain order, neutrality and focus during the highly anticipated event, which is expected to attract thousands of party delegates from across the country.

“There shall be no billboards, banners, posters, flyers, T-shirts or souvenirs with aspirant branding allowed at the venue or within Accra,” Mr Osei-Owusu stated during a press briefing last Saturday.

He further explained that a “complete ban has been placed on all forms of campaign activities.”

That, he explained, applies before, during and after the conference and covers the entire precinct of the conference venue.

To ensure compliance, the party has established a dedicated grounds and operations team, supported by compliance monitors tasked with patrolling the conference grounds and surrounding areas.

“All such prohibited campaign materials shall be removed and destroyed by the team,” Mr Osei-Owusu warned, emphasising that there would be no exceptions to the rule.

The move is aimed at fostering a level playing field and keeping the focus on party unity and strategic decision-making during the conference.

Decline at grass roots

Two political scientists believe the party was at a critical point of its existence, hence the need to use the conference to unite and rebuild to make the party relevant in future elections.

The two, Dr Samuel Kofi Darkwa and Dr John Osae-Kwapong, were sharing their perspectives on the conference.

They advised the party to use the conference to rebuild trust.

For Dr Darkwa, the party found itself at a critical juncture, adding that following what many consider its most significant electoral defeat since 1992 and in the 2024 general elections, the party's challenges had intensified.

“In light of this situation, the forthcoming flag bearer election on January 31, 2026, and the decision regarding the adoption or postponement of constitutional amendments to expand the delegate base demand careful consideration,” he said.

Reforms

Dr Darkwa said the proposed reforms which sought to create a broader delegate base, if implemented, would enhance inclusivity and diminish the disproportionate power wielded by a select few individuals or factions.

“In light of widespread concerns about financial inducement and vote buying in Ghanaian politics, a larger electoral college would complicate attempts to manipulate electoral outcomes through monetary influence. This shift would reinforce democratic legitimacy and mitigate the threat of elite dominance,” he said.

Dr Osae-Kwapong, for his part, described the theme: “Building Together with Our Values”, as considering the heavy electoral defeat and rejection of the party by Ghanaian voters in 2024.

He said it was easy to point fingers and apportion blame for what happened in December 2024 but it was more difficult to collectively own the defeat and forge a united front in preparation for the next election.

“Nonetheless, that is what the party needs to do — to use the occasion to make peace with each other, embrace the lessons of 2024, and create a path forward that truly demonstrates a commitment to build together,” he noted.

Peace

Dr Osae-Kwapong urged the party to use  the  occasion, through  the  various speeches, to make peace with Ghanaian voters.

He said the conference was an opportune time to acknowledge the grievances of Ghanaians leading to the party’s loss in 2024 and seek reconciliation. 

Electoral college

“I have long maintained that the ideal way to go is to allow all registered members of the party to vote in internal elections particularly when it comes to the selection of parliamentary candidates and the flag bearer,” Dr Osae-Kwapong said.

“It reduces or eliminates the unlimited power of delegates as well as the undue influence of money in the internal electoral process,” he noted.

Agenda

The conference will discuss the National Chairman’s statement, report of the General Secretary and statements of account from the National Treasurer.