Hundreds of aggrieved grassroots supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took to the streets of Tarkwa-Nsuaem in a demonstration against what they described as the systematic hijacking of the party’s internal electoral process.
Dressed in party paraphernalia and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Justice, No Peace”, “Save Our Party from Itself”, and “We Demand Fresh Elections”, the protesters marched through principal streets before converging at the party office in the Constituency to present a formal petition.
The demonstration, which remained peaceful throughout, has exposed deep fault lines within the ruling party in one of its traditional strongholds, raising urgent questions about internal democracy ahead of the 2028 general elections.
In a detailed statement released to the media during the protest, the aggrieved members alleged that the entire electoral process from voter registration to filing of nominations, vetting, and the actual polling station elections had been marred by “unjustifiable exclusion, arbitrary disqualifications, intimidation, suppression, and discriminatory treatment.”
The statement, signed by the group’s conveners, specifically accused some constituency executives and individuals entrusted with supervising the process of acting in blatant disregard for the party’s own guidelines.
“What has unfolded in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency has been contrary to these established rules and guidelines,” the statement read. “Concerns raised by affected members were ignored, while complaints and petitions submitted through appropriate internal channels received no meaningful attention from both constituency and regional leadership.”
The group lamented that the irregularities have created “widespread dissatisfaction, mistrust, division, and a growing sense of injustice” among party faithful, threatening the cohesion needed to retain the seat in 2028.
While reaffirming their loyalty to the NPP, the demonstrators insisted that the legitimacy of the entire exercise had been “seriously compromised.” They therefore called on the National Leadership, the National Council, the National Elections Committee, and all relevant stakeholders to intervene urgently.
Their demands include:
1. An independent investigation into the conduct of the electoral processes leading to the polling station elections.
2. Annulment of all results and processes found to have violated the party’s electoral guidelines.
3. Fresh and transparent elections in all affected areas under the direct supervision of the National Elections Committee.
4. Equal treatment and protection for all party members, irrespective of factional affiliations.
5. Immediate steps to restore unity, trust, and confidence among the grassroots.
“We firmly believe that genuine unity cannot be achieved where injustice, intimidation, exclusion, and manipulation are allowed to prevail,” the group added. “The strength and electoral fortunes of the NPP depend on justice, inclusiveness, transparency, and unity.”
The Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency has long been considered a safe haven for the NPP, but recurring complaints about opaque delegate elections and candidate vetting have occasionally threatened to tear the local structure apart.
Political observers note that the party’s ability to handle this crisis transparently will send a strong signal about its commitment to the democratic ideals it has always professed.
One protester, who declined to be named for fear of reprisals, told this reporter:
“We are not anti-party. We are anti-injustice. If we allow a few individuals to hijack our process at the polling station level, what will stop them from manipulating the parliamentary primary? We must stop the rot now.”
Despite the charged atmosphere, the demonstration remained calm and orderly. The group commended the security agencies for their professionalism and also thanked the media for providing coverage.
No arrests were reported, and no violent incidents occurred.
“We commend all demonstrators for conducting themselves peacefully, lawfully, and responsibly throughout today’s exercise,” the statement noted.
As of Thursday evening, the constituency and regional leadership of the NPP had not issued an official response to the protest or the demands. However, sources indicate that the party’s National Elections Committee may be compelled to intervene as the controversy threatens to escalate.
“WE HAVE AN ELECTION TO WIN IN 2028,” the statement concluded in capital letters. “Together, let us build a united, stronger, transparent, and inclusive NPP in Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency.”
For now, the ball is firmly in the court of the party’s national hierarchy.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
