Stephen Ayesu Ntim has stepped aside as National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), citing serious health concerns after more than 20 years in frontline politics.
A letter dated June 16, 2025, signed by family members Kingsley Oteng and MP Adelaide Ntim, requested a formal leave of absence, attributing the decision to “cognitive dissonance and mental incapacitation.”
The family urged the party to prioritise Mr. Ntim’s health, warning that his participation in a scheduled June 17 leadership meeting could worsen his condition.
Ntim, a long-serving party stalwart, finally won the chairmanship in 2022 after four unsuccessful bids. His fifth attempt saw him secure a landslide victory with 4,014 votes, beating Stephen Asamoah Boateng by over 3,000 votes. He had previously lost to Mac Manu (2005), Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey (2010), Paul Afoko (2014), and Freddie Blay (2018).
Upon assuming office, Ntim vowed to lead the NPP to victory in the 2024 general elections. Instead, the party suffered a historic defeat, losing both the presidency and its parliamentary majority. A 12-member committee was later formed to probe the causes of the loss.
Despite the setback, Ntim remained a prominent figure in the party, admired for his perseverance and loyalty. With his exit, First Vice Chairman Danquah Smith Buttey takes over as Acting National Chairman in line with the party’s constitution.
