A political scientist, Dr Samuel Kofi Darkwa, has asked the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to take steps to promote unity and ensure no section of the party feels alienated by its recent reforms.
Speaking in an interview on the July 19, 2025 annual delegates conference, he said, some leading members expressed concern that the process appeared skewed to give Dr Mahamudu Bawumia an advantage over other presidential hopefuls.
“These perceptions, if unaddressed, risk deepening internal rifts.
It is important for the party to reach out, build consensus and reassure all sides,” he said.
Context
The NPP on July 19, 2025 held its National Annual Delegates Conference on the theme: “Rebuilding Together with our Values.”
The delegates voted to expand the party’s electoral college by 40 per cent, adding more than 60,000 polling station executives to the existing 220,000, increasing the total number of voters to over 280,000.
This means all former Members of Parliament (MPs), former parliamentary candidates, former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), card-holding former ministers and deputy ministers, as well as former regional, constituency and branch executives will participate in the election of the flag bearer in January 2026.
Internal reform
Dr Darkwa said the conference marked a significant internal reform effort, modernising the party’s constitution to enhance transparency, inclusivity and efficiency.
“The reforms covered identity, discipline, structure and campaign coordination,” he said.
He, however, said despite its success, expanding the electoral college from 220,000 to 280,000 delegates marked notable progress towards broader inclusion.
“It includes polling station executives, external branches, former office holders and party patrons. Importantly, the abolition of the Super Delegate System helps curb monetisation.
Dr Darkwa noted that nonetheless, the expanded college remains smaller than the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) over 300,000 delegates.
Evolve
He said as the NPP evolved, it should continue moving towards a one-person-one-vote system that ensures even wider grass-roots participation.
“Such a step would not only bolster internal democracy but also reduce elite dominance and improve the legitimacy of leadership outcomes across the party,” he said.
Dr Darkwa, who is also a columnist of the Daily Graphic, said the amendment moved the flagbearer election dates to at least 18 months before general election, providing ample campaign time.
He said the party’s choice to hold the election in January 2026 aligned with this change.
Reconciliation
He noted that now that the conference had concluded, the party should prioritise reconciliation, build bridges and avoid the perception of exclusion.
“Ensuring transparency and inclusion going forward would be essential to strengthening party unity and avoiding lingering discontent over procedural concerns,” he stressed.
Shift
Dr Darkwa observed that the designation of the National Chairman as party leader in both government and opposition was a significant structural shift.
“It ensures stable centralised leadership and separates party administration from government.
This change was likely informed by lessons from earlier terms in government, where poor alignment between campaign teams and party machinery affected performance,” he said.
The new change, he said, also made the chairmanship a more attractive and influential position, potentially drawing capable leaders to that role.
“By chairing the Campaign Advisory Committee, the chairman ensures continuity, discipline and clearer accountability, strengthening the party’s institutional base and campaign effectiveness,” he stated.
Dr Darkwa said the NPP's recent reforms reflected a desire to better institutionalise the party, address lessons from the past, reinforce internal democracy and solidify the party’s internal structures.
He, however, noted that the successful implementation would depend on unity, inclusion and trust, adding that “addressing discontent and fostering cohesion must be top priority.”
