The People’s National Convention (PNC) has cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against a proposed constitutional change that would make the party’s flagbearer its leader, arguing that the arrangement could affect the party’s internal leadership structure.
The PNC made the remarks in a solidarity message delivered at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The party said its comments were made in the spirit of political fraternity and were not intended to interfere in the NPP’s internal affairs.
The proposed amendment seeks to revisit an earlier provision under which the NPP’s National Chairman would serve as the party’s leader at all material times. The latest proposal would instead designate the party’s flagbearer as its leader.
PNC raises concerns over proposed NPP leadership structure
The PNC said the roles of a presidential candidate and a party leader are different, with the latter expected to oversee the party’s structures and affairs between elections.
“A flagbearer carries the party’s banner in election, a party leader must build structures, reconcile factions, and hold the party accountable between elections,” the PNC said.
The party further cautioned that combining the two roles in one person could, in its view, affect internal leadership opportunities within the NPP.
“Concentrating both roles in one person risks weakening internal democracy and the space for new leadership to emerge,” it said.
The PNC stressed that its intervention was being made “in the spirit of fraternity, not in interference.”
NPP postpones constitutional amendments
The PNC’s comments came as the NPP was scheduled to consider several proposed amendments to its constitution during its National Delegates Conference.
However, the NPP subsequently postponed consideration of the constitutional amendments to its next national conference, citing time constraints. The decision means the current conference will focus on the election of the party’s national executives.
The proposed amendments, which are fewer than 20, include changes to the party’s leadership structure, the election of Vice Chairpersons and aspects of its communications and information technology positions.
The party’s Constitutional Amendment Committee has indicated that delegates will ultimately determine the fate of the proposals when they are considered at a subsequent conference.
PNC calls for responsible political discourse
Beyond the constitutional matter, the PNC used its solidarity message to call for greater responsibility in Ghana’s political discourse.
The party urged political parties to discourage insults, provocative commentary and language it believes could deepen divisions in the country.
“Words can divide, harm. Words can divide a nation. Political parties must lead in ending this,” the PNC said.
It called on the NPP, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other political parties to take steps to promote more responsible political communication.
PNC positions itself ahead of 2028 elections
The PNC also presented itself as an alternative political force to the NPP and NDC, saying it believes Ghanaians are seeking a different political direction.
The party expressed confidence that it would receive support from voters in the 2028 general election.
Meanwhile, the NPP’s National Delegates Conference is being held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, with 7,163 delegates expected to participate in the national officers’ elections.
EDITORIAL NOTE: Because the NPP postponed the constitutional amendments on October 3, the article should not say delegates are currently considering or voting on the flagbearer-as-leader proposal. The proposal has been deferred to a subsequent national conference.
