The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will hold its national conference in Kumasi, Ghana, with over 7,000 delegates expected to attend. The conference, scheduled for October 2, 2026, will see the election of a new national leadership team, comprising nine executive positions. These positions include National Chairperson, General Secretary, three Vice-Chairpersons, National Treasurer, National Organiser, National Women's Organiser, and National Youth Organiser. The elections will involve 47 aspirants and will be conducted at 31 polling stations.
The decision to hold the conference in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, holds significant importance for the NPP, given its traditional strong support base in the region. The venue choice allows the party's grassroots organisation to be at the centre of the leadership transition process. This provides the new officers with an immediate platform to begin strengthening the party's structures following its 2024 electoral defeat. The conference outcome will indicate the organisational direction of the NPP towards the 2028 general election.
The National Chairperson position has attracted considerable attention, with four main candidates vying for the role. They are former General Secretary, John Boadu; former Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Sammy Crabbe; former National Chairman, Paul Afoko; and former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko. Opinion polls conducted ahead of the election have produced varying results, making the chairmanship election a close contest.
The General Secretary race is also keen, with incumbent Justin Kodua Frimpong facing competition from two former Members of Parliament (MPs), Eugene Boakye Antwi and Sylvester Tetteh, as well as the immediate past National Treasurer, Charles Dwamena. A University of Ghana survey found that 74.2 per cent of respondents expected Mr Boakye Antwi to win. However, other surveys put Mr Kodua ahead of the pack.
The contest for the four Vice-Chairperson slots is the broadest, with 13 aspirants vying for the roles. Notable candidates include Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Henry Nana Boakye, Richard Ahiagbah, Samuel Pyne, Nana Akomea, and Kojo Bamba. The delegates will select three candidates, with the fourth successful candidate also serving as a Vice-Chairperson.
The National Women's Organiser position is being contested by the incumbent Deputy National Women's Organiser, Hajia Safia Mohammed, and former Fisheries Minister and MP, Mavis Hawa Koomson. This contest will be decided by eligible female delegates. The party is introducing reforms to widen participation in the youth and women's elections. Other positions on the ballot include National Treasurer, National Organiser, and National Youth Organiser.
The Electoral Commission (EC) will conduct the elections under the supervision of the National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC), chaired by Frederick Opare-Ansah. The committee has assured aspirants and delegates of a free, fair, transparent, and orderly election. Qualified delegates must have their names on the official register and present the required identification for verification. The conference will also consider proposed constitutional amendments covering aspects of the party's organisational and electoral arrangements.
Key points
- The NPP national conference will determine the party's organisational direction towards the 2028 general election.
- Over 7,000 delegates will elect a new national leadership team, comprising nine executive positions.
- The elections will involve 47 aspirants and will be conducted at 31 polling stations in Kumasi.
