NPP presidential primary: Committee must be transparent — Prof. Danquah
A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Professor Freeman Joseph Danquah, has urged the Presidential Elections Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to let transparency be the guiding principle in the validation of the party’s album for the January 31, 2026, presidential primary.
He urged the committee to ensure that all procedures complied strictly with the party's constitutional provisions and established standards to protect the credibility and legitimacy of the final electoral roll.
Speaking in an interview, Prof. Danquah, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom (UK), said the committee, chaired by a former first Deputy Speaker of Parliament and former NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai in the Ashanti, Joseph Osei Owusu, had so far inspired confidence in the party's ability to manage its internal processes with professionalism and integrity.
"If the trajectory is maintained, the upcoming presidential primary will not only strengthen the NPP's internal democracy but also project the party as a model of credible political organisation ready to recapture power," he said.
Confidence
The general conduct of the committee, he said, had so far reinforced trust and confidence in the party's internal democratic mechanisms.
While applauding the exemplary start, Prof. Danquah underscored the need for continued adherence to the principles of fairness, transparency, integrity and accountability.
He said the committee, especially its chairman, must remain firm and impartial without fear or favour and insulate the process from the influence of aspirant camps or Machiavellian "invisible hands".
Electoral processes
Prof. Danquah, who once contested the NPP Amenfi West parliamentary primary in the Western Region in 2019, said the committee had ensured the prompt dissemination of information, promoting openness and accessibility throughout the process.
He said through timely press releases and public statements, the committee had provided consistent clarity on issues, effectively countering misinformation and dispelling false narratives.
Prof. Danquah, a former TESCON Vice-President of the University for Development Studies, Tamale, said last Friday's balloting exercise for presidential candidates was conducted smoothly and devoid of controversy, describing it as a refreshing improvement from the challenges witnessed in the past.
Acknowledgement
He commended the committee for demonstrating its commitment to efficiency, professionalism, unbiasedness and composure in the discharge of its mandate so far.
"From the outset, the committee has set a new benchmark in administrative diligence and operational transparency.
"Their conduct thus far reflects a renewed commitment to ensuring a credible and seamless electoral process within the party," Prof. Danquah said.
