The Council of Elders of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cautioned its party members to desist from what it describes as the “premature presidential campaigns and related political activities by individuals and groups within the Party.”
The concerns, which the Council says was brought to bear during its meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, May 29, 2026, resolved “to remind all members that the NDC is currently focused on delivering on the mandate entrusted to it by the people of Ghana.”
It has advised those pitching camps in the party to promote presidential and other agenda to rather channel their “energies, resources, and commitment” towards supporting President Mahama to achieve his ‘Reset Agenda’.
The statement continued that the party has twelve months clear to an election year to elect a flagbearer as codified in its constitution, and any other person embarking on any cause rather than the Government’s broad “Reset Agenda” will be dealt with, according to the rules and regulations of the party.
The Elders have therefore cautioned all members to desist from “all forms of campaigning, mobilisation, endorsements, publicity, or related activities intended to advance the presidential ambitions of any prospective candidate.”
Find below the full statement issued by the Council of Elders:
Press Statement
29TH MAY, 2026 STATEMENT BY THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC)
The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wishes to inform all members of the Party and the general public that it held a meeting with H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic and Leader of the NDC, on Friday, 29th May 2026.
Following extensive deliberations on matters concerning Party unity, discipline, and the collective responsibility of all members towards the successful implementation of the Government’s Resetting Agenda, the Council issues the following statement for the guidance of all-Party members.
The Council notes with concern the growing unease among sections of the Party and the wider public regarding reports of premature presidential campaigns and related political activities by individuals and groups within the Party.
The Council wishes to remind all members that the NDC is currently focused on delivering on the mandate entrusted to it by the people of Ghana.
At this critical stage of national reconstruction and renewal, every member of the Party is expected to devote his or her energies, resources, and commitment to supporting the Government’s efforts to reset the country and improve the lives of Ghanaians, rather than engaging in activities that have the potential to create division, distraction, or unnecessary internal competition.
The Council further draws attention to the provisions of Article 42 of the Constitution of the National Democratic Congress, which clearly stipulates:“The date and venue for the election of the Presidential Candidate shall be decided by the National Executive Committee (NEC), but that election shall take place at least twelve (12) months before a national election date if the Party is in power and at least twenty-four (24) months if the Party is not in power.”
The Council emphasises that, until the appropriate constitutional processes have been initiated and the National Executive Committee has determined the timetable and guidelines for the conduct of presidential primaries, no individual, group, or interest bloc is authorised to undertake or promote any form of presidential campaign, whether directly or indirectly.
Accordingly, the Council of Elders directs all persons engaged in such activities to cease forthwith.
These include all forms of campaigning, mobilisation, endorsements, publicity, or related activities intended to advance the presidential ambitions of any prospective candidate.
The Council calls on all Party members to remain focused on the larger task before us: consolidating the Party’s unity, supporting the Government’s transformational agenda, and working together to fulfil the expectations of the Ghanaian people.The time for internal contests will come.
For now, our collective responsibility is to serve the nation and successfully implement the mandate entrusted to us.
