Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations for Ghana's ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has called on his party to closely study the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) recent national delegates congress. This, he believes, will provide strategic lessons ahead of the next phase of Ghana's political contest. As the governing party and traditional alternative to the NPP, Mr Gbande says it is the NDC's responsibility to examine the outcome of the opposition party's internal elections and assess its wider political implications.
The NPP recently held its national delegates congress, electing new executives, including John Boadu as National Chairman and Justin Kodua Frimpong as General Secretary. Other elected executives include Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover as National Organiser, Mavis Hawa Koomson as National Women's Organiser, and Dennis Miracles Aboagye as National Communications Director. Mr Gbande congratulated the NPP and its newly elected executives, describing the exercise as one of the more peaceful congresses the party has organised in recent times.
According to Mr Gbande, the NPP's congress concluded without some of the incidents that have characterised previous internal contests. He noted that it was one of the most peaceful congresses they have organised for some time now, finishing without the usual violence and other negative incidents. The NDC, as a student of politics, must learn from this and examine the wider political implications of the NPP's new leadership.
Mr Gbande said the NPP had completed its internal process and chosen the leadership it wanted. However, he argued that the wider political implications of the new team required closer analysis. He therefore congratulated the newly elected executives, adding that the NDC must consider what the changes mean for the broader political contest.
The NPP approved 14 constitutional amendments during the congress, including changes affecting party leadership, campaign structures, national vice chairmanship positions, and other aspects of the party's organisation. Mr Gbande said his assessment of the congress had already revealed what he described as "two or three clear things and messages" that could be examined from the NPP's latest internal exercise.
As the NDC continues to manage its own internal structures as the governing party, Mr Gbande said his party must study the NPP's constitutional amendments and the conduct of senior party figures during the congress. These, he believes, are crucial from the NDC's strategic perspective. The NPP's new leadership will now oversee the party's organisation as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.
The NDC has congratulated the new NPP executives, urging national interest above party interests. As Ghana's political landscape continues to evolve, both parties will be closely watched as they prepare for the next general elections. The NDC's decision to study the NPP's congress closely is seen as a strategic move to stay ahead in the political game.
Key points
- The NDC must study the NPP's congress for strategic lessons.
- The NPP's congress was one of the most peaceful in recent times.
- The NDC is urging national interest above party interests.
