A key position in every political party is the General Secretary.
Aside being in charge of the day- to- day administration of the party, the office holder wields enormous influence in the affairs of the state.
No wonder three individuals are contesting the incumbent General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on October 3 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Here are profiles of the contenders:
1. Sylvester Tetteh – Ballot #1
Former MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro (2021-2025). Former Deputy Minister for Information, former CEO of National Youth Authority (NYA).
Education & Career: Holds extensive party experience from grassroots to national. He lists his journey as: Polling station executive, Constituency Secretary (Ningo Prampram), TESCON President, Parliamentary Candidate for Ningo Prampram (2012, 2016) where he claims he set the NPP vote record with 17,122 votes, then MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro. Also Board Chairman, CEO.
Political Experience: Constituency Secretary, Campaign Manager for national chairmanship candidate, member of NPP National Organisational Council. Known for grassroots mobilisation.
Campaign Message: Pledging bold, tech-driven and innovative leadership. Says NPP needs “innovation, energy and unity” and a “Strong Political Voice” in opposition. Argues elections are not won at party headquarters but at the grassroots. Wants to rebrand the party after losing 1.7 million votes in 2024 and rebuild structures to be battle-ready for 2028.
2. Eugene Boakye Antwi – Ballot #2
Born May 7, 1970 at Baman Kwabre, Ashanti Region. Banker, businessman and politician.
Education: Higher National Diploma from Westminster College, UK; BA in Business Administration and PGDIP in Market Research from University of Westminster, UK.
Career:Banker at Barclays Bank (now ABSA) 1999-2002; Administrator at Lord Chancellor’s Department, UK (2002-2006); Director of EUGASS Limited (2006-2016).
Political: Former MP for Subin Constituency (2017-2025), former Deputy Minister for Works and Housing. Rose through NPP UK & Ireland branch. Member of Special Budget Committee and Lands & Forestry Committee in Parliament.
Campaign Message: Running on 5-point UNITE agenda – Unite the party, Nurture grassroots, Improve discipline & internal efficiency, Transform engagement & rebuild trust, Execute winning strategy for 2028. Mantra: _”No discipline, No power.”He has attacked incumbent JFK, saying “No General Secretary has retained position after sending us to opposition” after NPP lost 50 parliamentary seats in 2024, leaving NDC with two-thirds majority. Promises if elected and fails to deliver presidency for Bawumia and increase seats, he won’t contest again.
3. Justin Frimpong Kodua (JFK) – Incumbent – Ballot #3
Born November 14, 1982 in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. Lawyer and politician. Current General Secretary of NPP (elected July 2022).
Education: Opoku Ware SHS, City & Guilds Certificate in ICT – Hackney Community College, London; BSc Land Economy (2002), LLB – KNUST; Barrister at Law – Ghana School of Law; Diploma in Financial Management – Institute of Commercial Management, Bournemouth UK.
Career: Former employee of Supersport UK; part of LOC for AFCON 2008 Ghana; practiced law at Adomako Kwakye Law Consult, Kumasi; CEO of Youth Employment Agency (YEA) 2017-2022; Former Deputy Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer and substantive Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer.
Political:Won General Secretary in 2022 with 2,837 votes beating John Boadu (2,524). Has been General Secretary for 4 years, says he served without substantive National Chairman for much of it.
Record as GS: Claims reforms including expansion of electoral college, strengthening legal directorate, implementation of Oquaye Committee constitutional reforms, operationalisation of Patriotic Institute, revival of Sector Committees, expansion of digital membership database, transparent parliamentary primaries.
Campaign Message:Slogan – “Prepared. Well-positioned. Focused. REBUILD.” Says 2024 defeat was painful but NPP is not quitters. Pledges early parliamentary primaries, improved resource distribution to constituencies, welfare for foot soldiers, and unity. According to latest survey, leading with 60% among delegates.
4. Dr. Charles Dwamena (Dr. China) – Ballot #4
Medical doctor, teacher, diplomat, business administrator, entrepreneur. Popularly known as *Dr. China*. Currently National Treasurer of NPP (elected 2022).
Education: MBBS (Bachelor of Surgery) – Wenzhou University, China; MSc Clinical Sciences (ENT) – Plymouth University, UK; MBA Leadership and Sustainability – University of Cumbria; Teaching Certificate CELTA – Cambridge University; plus certificates in management.
Career: Founding member and 2-term Branch Chairman – NPP China Branch; Chairman – Asia Pacific Caucus of NPP; NPP Representative to 2016 ECOWAS Commission on Internal Party Democracy; NPP Rep to 2016 UNDP Democratic Governance Retreat; Former Director of Finance and Administration at NPP Headquarters; Secretary to 2016 NPP National Campaign Team (that brought Nana Akufo-Addo to power); Former Ghana’s Deputy Ambassador to China under President Akufo-Addo.
As National Treasurer: Credited for digitizing party dues collection, increasing from less than GH¢100 monthly to over GH¢30,000 daily, introducing digital financial systems, turning party finances “from red to green”, and proposing welfare benefits like group accident insurance.
Campaign Message: Unveiled “WILD + S” Strategy – *W*elfare (create Department of Welfare), *I*mproved Communication (train 200,000 party officers as communicators), *L* – Research & Digital Solutions, *D* – Discipline, *S* – Security. Says party needs experienced, disciplined and decisive leadership to make the elephant “wild” again and win 2028.
CREDIT: With files from Meta AI
