The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will consider a series of proposed constitutional reforms at its National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, including plans that could change the party’s leadership structure and internal election arrangements.
The conference will also elect national officers, following a constitutional review that invited members and other party stakeholders to submit amendment proposals.
The proposals have been circulated ahead of the meeting. Any constitutional change will require the prescribed two-thirds majority to be approved.
The most prominent suggestions include making the NPP’s presidential candidate the Leader of the Party, restoring the President to the National Steering Committee, expanding the number of vice-chairpersons and introducing further communications and information-technology roles.
Presidential candidate could lead party
Under the proposed reforms, the NPP’s presidential candidate would become the Leader of the Party, replacing the National Chairperson in that role.
The current constitution identifies the National Chairperson as the party leader. It places the presidential candidate on both the National Executive Committee and the National Steering Committee.
The proposed change would link the party’s formal leadership more closely to the person chosen to lead its campaign in national elections.
Reports on the proposals state that, if the NPP is in opposition and has not yet selected a presidential candidate, the National Chairperson would continue to lead the party until that selection was made.
If the party were in government, the sitting President would remain its leader until a new presidential candidate was chosen.
The amendment would therefore affect more than the title held by the party leader. It would also reshape the relationship between the elected national executives and the individual responsible for leading the NPP into a national election.
President proposed for Steering Committee
A separate proposal would return the President to the National Steering Committee.
The committee oversees the NPP’s day-to-day administration and acts for the party when urgent decisions are required. Its current membership includes the National Chairperson, the vice-chairpersons, the presidential candidate, the parliamentary leader and other senior national officers.
Restoring the President to the committee would be particularly significant when the NPP is in government, providing a formal link between the party’s operational leadership and the presidency.
Reports accompanying the proposed amendments say supporters regard the move as a way to improve coordination between the party and the government.
Vice-chairmanship structure under review
The reforms would also expand the vice-chairmanship arrangements at national, regional and constituency levels.
At national level, the NPP currently has three National Vice-Chairpersons. They are ranked first, second and third according to the votes they receive.
The proposals would create additional vice-chairperson positions at national level, as well as further posts within the regional and constituency structures.
Other proposed changes include the creation of additional positions relating to communications and information technology.
By Benjamin Aidoo
