The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana has amended its constitution to change the way national vice chairpersons are elected. The amendment to Article 10(5) provides for separate elective positions for the first, second, and third national vice-chairperson roles. Previously, voters would elect three vice chairpersons at once, with the candidates receiving the most votes being designated as first, second, and third vice chairpersons.
Under the new system, aspirants will file for specific positions and participate in separate elections for each role. This means a candidate interested in the third vice chairperson position will only be considered for that role. The amendment also allows for the appointment of three additional national vice-chairpersons, bringing the total to six. However, these appointed vice-chairpersons will not be eligible for succession to the national chairmanship.
At the NPP's national delegates conference held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kojo Fosu Boadu, also known as Kojo 'Bamba', emerged as the First National Vice Chairman, defeating 12 other contestants. Bamba, an auto mechanic from Kumasi, ran a campaign that focused on protecting party members and their ballots during the general election. His strategic campaign message, which asked delegates to vote for two educated elites and him as their "machoman," worked in his favour.
Bamba received 3116 votes, surpassing other prominent contestants such as Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hameed, Nana Akomea, and Samuel Pyne. The new national vice chairpersons elected are: Kojo Fosu Boadu (3116 votes, 1st Vice), Henry Nana Boakye (3061 votes, 2nd Vice), and Nana Akomea (2987 votes, 3rd Vice). The elections saw a significant turnout, with various polls and predictions having underestimated Bamba's chances of winning.
In addition to the amendment on national vice chairpersons, the NPP also made other changes to its constitution. One significant amendment makes the party's presidential candidate the leader of the party. When the party is in government, the President will serve as the leader of the party until a presidential candidate is elected. This change aims to formalize the party's leadership structure and eliminate potential ambiguity or contestation.
The amendment to Articles 10(4)(1) and 13 recognizes the presidential candidate as the principal focal point of the party when it is in government. The President, as the holder of the highest executive political authority, will lead the party where it is in government but has no presidential candidate. A total of 14 amendments were tabled and approved during the national delegates conference.
With the new amendments in place, Kojo Fosu Boadu will take charge of the NPP's affairs as chairman in the absence of the new national chairman, John Boadu. The party's changes are expected to shape its leadership structure and potentially impact its future electoral performance. The NPP's national delegates conference saw significant participation and engagement from party members, who will now look forward to the party's future under its new leadership.
Key points
- NPP amends constitution to change election process for national vice chairpersons.
- Kojo Fosu Boadu emerges as First National Vice Chairman, defeating 12 other contestants.
- Party makes presidential candidate the leader of the party when in government.
