The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to propose changes that would make the party’s presidential candidate the official Leader of the Party instead of the National Chairperson. The move comes ahead of the party’s National Delegates Conference on October 3, 2026, in Kumasi, where delegates will debate the proposed constitutional amendments and elect new national officers.
Currently, the NPP constitution designates the National Chairperson as the party leader. The presidential candidate is a member of the National Executive Committee and the National Steering Committee but does not hold the leadership title. The proposed amendment would link party leadership directly to the individual chosen to lead the NPP in national elections.
When the party is in opposition and has not selected a presidential candidate, the National Chairperson would lead the party until a candidate emerges. If the party is in government, the sitting President would lead the party until a new presidential candidate is chosen. This arrangement would redefine how the party’s elected national executives work with the person leading its national campaign.
The constitutional review process that produced these proposals included submissions from party members and stakeholders. The NPP has circulated the proposals ahead of the conference, and any changes will require a two-thirds majority vote to pass.
Another notable proposal is to restore the President to the National Steering Committee. This committee handles the party’s daily management and urgent decisions. Currently, members include the National Chairperson, vice-chairpersons, the presidential candidate, the parliamentary leader, and other senior officers.
Bringing the President back would create a formal link between the party’s operational leadership and the presidency when the NPP is in government. Supporters say this would improve coordination between the party and the government.
The proposed changes also include expanding the number of vice-chairpersons at the national, regional, and constituency levels. The party currently has three National Vice-Chairpersons ranked by votes. The new structure would add more vice-chair positions across all levels.
Additionally, the party is considering creating new roles for communications and information technology within its leadership. These positions aim to respond to the growing importance of digital media and communication in political campaigns and party organisation.
The conference in Kumasi will be a critical moment for the NPP as it prepares for the 2028 elections. The constitutional amendments reflect efforts to adjust the party’s internal structure to a changing political environment.
Whether delegates approve these changes will depend on the debates and votes during the conference. The proposals indicate the party’s interest in tying leadership more closely to electoral success and government experience.
The NPP’s choice to hold the conference in Kumasi, a stronghold in Ashanti Region, underlines the party’s focus on consolidating grassroots support while reshaping its leadership ahead of the national elections. The outcome could affect how the party runs its internal elections and manages its operations at all levels.
As the NPP moves toward the 2028 general elections, the shift in leadership structure could alter the balance of power within the party and influence how it conducts its campaigns nationwide. The changes may also affect the relationship between party officials and government leaders, especially if the party remains in power.
The National Delegates Conference will be watched closely by political analysts and party members who want to see how the NPP positions itself for the next election cycle.
According to 3News.
