47 Cleared! :NPP’s National Leadership Race Kicks Off

The opposition New Patriotic Party has officially thrown open its national leadership contest, clearing all 47 aspirants to battle for nine top positions as the party charts a path back to power in 2028.

 The National Officers Election Vetting Committee, which conducted the screening exercise from August 31 to September 3, found all candidates suitable and eligible to contest the nine available leadership positions. The balloting to determine candidates’ positions on the ballot paper will take place on Wednesday, September 9, at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down, Accra.

The clearance comes as the party undertakes a comprehensive reorganisation following its electoral defeat in December 2024. With incumbent but absent National Chairman Stephen Ayesu Ntim obviously not seeking re-election, the contest guarantees a change at the top of the party.

The National Vice-Chairperson race has emerged as the most competitive, with 13 aspirants cleared. Political observers say the significance of the position extends beyond the numbers—the first vice-chairperson assumes the chairmanship whenever the national chairman is unavailable.

Among the prominent names in the vice-chairmanship race is former Information Minister Nana Akomea, whose decision to contest has been described as “very strategic” by political analysts. The former Okaikwei South MP and ex-party Communications Director brings extensive government and party experience to the contest.

The National Chairman race has attracted four candidates, with a recent Global InfoAnalytics poll showing former General Secretary John Boadu leading with 27 per cent preference among NPP voters, ahead of former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko on 15 per cent . However, with 47 per cent of respondents undecided, analysts say the contest remains wide open.

For General Secretary, incumbent Justin Kodua Frimpong leads with 36 per cent in the same poll, though 46 per cent of voters remain undecided. His bid for re-election has received a boost from constituency executives in the Ashanti Region, who have pledged their support.

Other Positions

Eight aspirants were cleared for National Organiser, six for National Youth Organiser, five for National Nasara (Zongo) Organiser, two for National Women’s Organiser, and one for National Communications Director.

What’s at Stake

Party insiders say the election is about more than filling positions. The leadership contest represents an opportunity for the NPP to decide what kind of organisation it wants to become after its 2024 defeat.

A feature article from the Ghana News Agency, authored by Ambassador Edward Boateng, posed fundamental questions for delegates: “Who can help rebuild the party, reconnect it with the electorate and restore public confidence in the NPP?”

The answer, the article suggested, should be guided not by familiarity or factional considerations, but by “competence, credibility, integrity, strategic foresight, organisational capacity and the ability to work collectively”.

The outcome of the October elections will determine the leadership team tasked with implementing the party’s rebuilding agenda ahead of the 2028 general election.