Delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have approved a constitutional amendment designating the party’s flagbearer as its leader.
The amendment was among 14 constitutional changes approved at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
The approval came despite an earlier proposal by Acting National Chairman Joseph Danquah Smith to defer consideration of the amendments to a subsequent conference.
Mr Danquah Smith cited time constraints and concerns that delegates might not have sufficient time to properly consider the proposed changes while also participating in the national executive elections.
The party, however, proceeded with the constitutional review, with all 14 motions presented by the Constitution Amendment Committee approved by delegates.
Flagbearer becomes party leader
The most significant amendment changes the provision governing the leadership of the NPP.
At the party’s January 31, 2026 conference, a provision was introduced stating that the National Chairman would serve as the leader of the party at all material times.
The newly approved amendment changes that arrangement by establishing the party’s flagbearer as its leader.
The change comes as the NPP prepares for the 2028 general election, with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia serving as the party’s flagbearer.
Changes to Vice Chairperson elections
Delegates also approved an amendment to the way the party’s Vice Chairpersons are elected.
Under the previous arrangement, candidates contested the position of National First Vice Chairman, with the second and third Vice Chairpersons determined according to the order of votes received.
Under the new system, candidates will declare and contest specific Vice Chairperson positions directly.
The delegates further approved a proposal for the appointment of three additional Vice Chairpersons who will not be elected.
Other approved amendments include the creation of Deputy Communications Officer positions and the elevation of the IT Officer to an executive position.
Frank Davies explains rationale
Chairman of the NPP Constitution Amendment Committee, Frank Davies, said the changes were intended to address gaps in the party’s organisational structure ahead of the 2028 general election.
He explained that the amendments were necessitated by omissions identified during the party’s previous constitutional review.
“These limited constitutional amendments were necessitated by some acts of omission and commission, which heralded the last amendment we had in 2025, so this is to cure the grey areas that we overlooked,” he said.
Mr Davies stressed that the amendments were important because of their implications for the party’s organisational structure.
“It is imperative that these amendments are carried through because of the ramifications they have for our party’s organisational structure,” he said.
NPP national officers’ elections
The constitutional review formed the first part of the NPP’s National Delegates Conference, followed by the election of new national officers.
A total of 7,163 delegates from across Ghana are participating in the conference, with voting taking place across 31 polling stations at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Electoral Commission is supervising the elections and verifying delegates.
The national officers’ elections cover nine executive positions, including National Chairman, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, National Organiser, National Women’s Organiser, National Youth Organiser, National Nasara Organiser, National Treasurer and National Communications Director.
