More than 7,000 delegates will converge on the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi tomorrow to elect a new national leadership for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and determine the organisational direction of the opposition party ahead of the 2028 general election.
The delegates will vote to fill nine national executive positions — National Chairperson, General Secretary, three Vice-Chairpersons, National Treasurer, National Organiser, National Women’s Organiser and National Youth Organiser.
The elections, involving 47 aspirants, will be conducted at 31 polling stations, with voting scheduled to begin at noon after delegates have considered proposed constitutional amendments from 9 a.m.
Kumasi choice
The decision to hold the conference in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, carries considerable significance for a party whose traditional support base has been particularly strong in the region.
Beyond the symbolism, the choice of venue places the party’s grassroots organisation at the centre of the leadership transition process and gives the new officers an immediate platform from which to begin the task of strengthening the party’s structures, following its 2024 electoral defeat.
The conference, therefore, is expected to indicate the organisational direction of the NPP towards 2028.
Chairmanship race
The National Chairperson position has attracted considerable attention, with former General Secretary, John Boadu; former Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Sammy Crabbe; former National Chairman, Paul Afoko; and a former Minister of Energy and one-time flag bearer aspirant in 2023, Boakye Agyarko, engaging in a fierce contest.
Mr Boadu is first on the ballot, followed by Mr Crabbe, Mr Afoko and Mr Agyarko in that order.
Opinion polls conducted ahead of the election produced varying results, with different candidates leading the race on different occasions.
An Africa Policy Lens and Global Info Analytics polls, for instance, placed Mr Boadu in the lead, while other surveys had different assessments of the delegates’ sentiments.
The varying findings make the chairmanship election a close contest.
General Secretary contest
The General Secretary race is equally keen, with incumbent Justin Kodua Frimpong facing two former Members of Parliament (MPs), Eugene Boakye Antwi and Sylvester Tetteh, as well as the immediate past National Treasurer, Charles Dwamena.
A University of Ghana survey found that 74.2 per cent of respondents expected Mr Boakye Antwi to win, though the researchers stressed that the figure reflected respondents’ expectations and was not a prediction of the outcome.
Interestingly, other surveys put Mr Kodua ahead of the pack.
13 For four slots
However, the four Vice-Chairperson slots being chased by 13 vibrant aspirants is the broadest contest on the ballot.
Notable among the candidates vying for these influential roles are Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Henry Nana Boakye, Richard Ahiagbah, Samuel Pyne, Nana Akomea and Kojo Bamba.
The delegates are to select three candidates out of the lot. Candidates who poll the highest number of votes will be declared first, second and third Vice-Chairpersons in that order. Per the arrangement, the fourth successful candidate will also serve as a Vice-Chairperson.
Women’s race
The National Women’s Organiser position is being contested by the incumbent Deputy National Women’s Organiser, Hajia Safia Mohammed, and former Fisheries Minister and MP, Mavis Hawa Koomson.
This contest will be decided by eligible female delegates, while the party introduces reforms intended to widen participation in the youth and women’s elections.
Other contests
The other positions on the ballot are National Treasurer, National Organiser and National Youth Organiser, all of which have attracted some exuberant candidates who are desperately seeking seats on the new national executive.
Altogether, the nine positions will constitute the core of the party’s national leadership, which will be responsible for implementing the decisions of the party’s highest organs between national conferences.
Rules of engagement
As usual, the Electoral Commission (EC) will conduct the elections under the supervision of the National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC), chaired by Frederick Opare-Ansah.
The committee has assured aspirants and delegates of a free, fair, transparent and orderly election, saying concerns raised over the delegates’ register had been addressed.
Qualified delegates must have their names on the official register and present the required identification for verification.
Aspirants, agents and supporters of the various candidates are expected to abide by the rules, maintain order and allow accredited officials to conduct the elections without interference.
More than elections
In addition, tomorrow’s conference will also undertake important constitutional business.
As part of the menu, delegates are expected to consider proposed amendments covering aspects of the party’s organisational and electoral arrangements before proceeding to the national officers’ elections.
The conference will consequently determine not only who will occupy the top NPP national positions but also aspects of the internal structure within which the new leadership will operate.
At the end of the day, the party will have a new national leadership team and a clearer organisational direction for the next electoral cycle.
