The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has approved all 14 proposed constitutional amendment motions at its National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, Ghana. The amendments were considered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as part of the party's congress agenda, ahead of the election of new national officers. The conference, which started on October 3, 2026, has brought together 7,163 delegates from all 16 regions of Ghana.
The approval of the amendments was not without controversy, as Acting National Chairman Joseph Danquah Smith had earlier proposed that consideration of the amendments be postponed to the party's next conference. He cited time constraints and concerns that delegates would not have enough time to properly consider the proposals while also participating in the national executive elections. However, the party proceeded with the constitutional review, with all 14 motions presented by the Constitution Amendment Committee subsequently approved by delegates.
One of the significant proposals approved by delegates changes the designation of the party's leader. Previously, the National Chairman was considered the leader of the party at all material times, but the approved amendment reverses that position and designates the party's flagbearer as the leader. This change is expected to have significant implications for the party's organisational structure and leadership.
Another amendment changes the way Vice Chairpersons are elected. Under the current arrangement, all candidates contest the position of National First Vice Chairman, with the first, second and third Vice Chairpersons determined according to the order of votes received. Under the new system, candidates will declare and contest specific Vice Chairperson positions. Delegates also approved a proposal for the appointment of three additional Vice Chairpersons who will not be elected.
The NPP's Constitution Amendment Committee Chairman, Frank Davies, said the changes were necessary to address gaps in the party's organisational structure ahead of the 2028 general elections. He noted that the amendments were necessitated by some acts of omission and commission, which heralded the last amendment in 2025. According to him, approving the amendments is imperative because of their implications for the party's organisational structure.
The NPP's National Delegates Conference is being held in two main stages: consideration of constitutional amendments and the election of new national officers. A total of 7,163 delegates are participating in the conference, with voting taking place across 31 polling stations for nine national executive positions. The Electoral Commission is supervising the elections and verifying delegates.
Following the approval of the constitutional amendments, delegates have proceeded to vote in the national executive elections, with results expected later on October 3, 2026. Some of the key positions being contested include the National Chairman, General Secretary, and National Organiser. The outcome of the elections is expected to shape the party's leadership and direction in the lead-up to the 2028 general elections.
Key points
- The NPP has approved 14 constitutional amendments, including changes to the designation of the party's leader and the election of Vice Chairpersons.
- The amendments were approved despite earlier calls to defer the exercise, citing time constraints and concerns about delegates' ability to consider the proposals.
- The party's National Delegates Conference is also electing new national officers, with results expected later on October 3, 2026.
