Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, a former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) chief executive, suffered a stunning defeat in the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Vice Chairmanship race, finishing fourth with 2,956 votes. He was narrowly beaten by Nana Akomea, who secured the third and final Vice Chairman position with 2,987 votes. The outcome is a significant upset, given that Dr. Hamid had led every pre-election poll as the clear favourite for the position. The NPP's national delegates conference in Kumasi saw 7,163 delegates participate in electing the party's national officers.
The NPP's Vice Chairmanship contest saw several top contenders vying for the three available slots. Kojo Fosu Boadu emerged as the First Vice Chairman with 3,116 votes, while Henry Nana Boakye secured the Second Vice Chairmanship with 3,061 votes. In contrast, Dr. Hamid's 2,956 votes left him just 31 votes shy of Nana Akomea's 2,987 votes. A Global InfoAnalytics poll released on September 1, 2026, had placed Dr. Hamid first in voter preference among Vice Chairman candidates, with 18.3% support.
Dr. Hamid, who holds a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Cape Coast, has held several senior government roles. He served as Minister for Information under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo from 2017 and later moved to the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development. In 2021, he was appointed NPA chief executive, a post he held until the end of the Akufo-Addo administration in January 2025.
The NPP's national delegates conference in Kumasi was not without its challenges. Earlier disruptions included hours-long delays in the TESCON vote over missing delegate names, an arrest over a torn ballot paper, and a billboard collapse and stampede that injured several attendees. Despite these issues, the conference successfully concluded with the election of the party's national officers.
In another development at the conference, Ali Suraj was elected National NASARA Coordinator, polling 372 votes to defeat Salim Bamba, who secured 311 votes, and Awal Mohamed, who received 106 votes. The NASARA wing is the NPP's structure for mobilising support among Muslim and minority communities, and its leadership is seen as significant for the party's outreach strategy ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The new executive team, now fully constituted, is expected to steer the NPP's internal reorganisation as it prepares for the 2028 general election. John Boadu was elected National Chairman with 2,888 votes, defeating Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, who polled 2,408. Justin Kodua Frimpong retained his position as General Secretary, while Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover won the National Organiser race.
The NPP's national executive slate is now complete, with the following members: John Boadu (National Chairman), Kojo Fosu Boadu (First Vice Chairman), Henry Nana Boakye (Second Vice Chairman), and Nana Akomea (Third Vice Chairman). Ali Suraj's election as National NASARA Coordinator completes the party's leadership line-up for 2028.
Key points
- Dr. Mustapha Hamid, a former NPA chief executive, loses NPP Vice Chairmanship by 31 votes to Nana Akomea.
- Ali Suraj is elected National NASARA Coordinator, polling 372 votes.
- The NPP's new executive team, now fully constituted, will steer the party's internal reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general election.
