The New Patriotic Party (NPP) heads into its National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with a number of proposed constitutional changes that could alter the party’s leadership structure, internal elections and organisation at the grassroots.
The conference, which will also see the election of national officers, follows a constitutional review process in which members and party stakeholders submitted proposals for amendments.
The party has circulated the proposals ahead of the conference, where constitutional changes will require the prescribed two-thirds majority to be adopted.
Among the proposals attracting attention are changes to who should lead the party, the composition of the National Steering Committee, the structure of the vice-chairmanship, participation in internal primaries and the introduction of additional communications and information-technology positions.
Presidential candidate proposed as party leader
At the centre of the proposed reforms is a call for the NPP’s presidential candidate to become the Leader of the Party rather than the National Chairperson.
The proposal would alter the existing leadership arrangement under which the National Chairperson is designated as party leader. The NPP’s current constitution provides that the National Chairperson is the Leader of the Party, while the presidential candidate is a member of the National Executive Committee and National Steering Committee.
The proposed arrangement would tie the party’s leadership more directly to the individual selected to lead the NPP into the national elections. Reports on the proposal indicated that, when the party is in opposition and has not yet selected a presidential candidate, the National Chairperson would continue to provide leadership until a candidate is chosen. When the party is in government, the sitting President would lead the party until a new presidential candidate is selected.
The issue is significant because it goes beyond a change in title. It would redefine the relationship between the party’s elected national executives and the person entrusted with leading its national electoral campaign.
President’s return to the National Steering Committee
Another proposal seeks to restore the President to the National Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee is responsible for the day-to-day management of the party and acts on behalf of the NPP on urgent matters. Under the current constitutional arrangement, the committee includes the National Chairperson, vice-chairpersons, presidential candidate, parliamentary leader and other senior national officers.
The proposal to restore the President would be particularly relevant when the NPP is in government, creating a more formal channel between the party’s operational leadership and the presidency.
Supporters of the proposal, according to reports on the amendments, see the change as a means of strengthening coordination between the party and government.
More vice-chairpersons at national, regional and constituency levels
The proposals also seek to expand the vice-chairmanship structure at different levels of the party.
At the national level, the proposals include additional vice-chairperson positions. The current constitution provides for three National Vice-Chairpersons, ranked first, second and third according to the votes they receive.
There are also proposals to create additional vice-chairperson positions at the regional and constituency levels.
By Benjamin Aidoo
