The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to converge today, Saturday, July 19, at the University of Ghana Stadium for its highly anticipated National Delegates Conference.
More than 5,500 delegates from across the country are expected to participate in this crucial gathering, which aims to chart a new course for the party following its significant defeat in the 2024 general elections.
The conference theme, “Rebuilding Together with our Values,” signals a call for introspection and a return to the party’s core principles.
The central focus of the conference will be the deliberation on a whopping 59 proposed amendments to the NPP’s constitution.
These amendments are designed to fundamentally reshape the party’s structures, enhance grassroots mobilisation, and refine its democratic processes, all in a bid to strengthen the party for the 2028 elections.
Among the most critical issues on the table is a proposed amendment to expand the base of delegates involved in the election of the party’s presidential candidate, hinting at a potential reform of the controversial Special Electoral College.
Legal challenge threatens conference
Adding a layer of tension to the proceedings, the NPP National Delegates Conference faces a last-minute legal challenge.
Two party members, Shamsudeen Iddrisu and Boateng Kwadwo, have filed a motion at the High Court seeking to halt today’s conference.
Filed on July 17, with a hearing slated for Thursday, July 24, the plaintiffs argue that the party has “flouted its constitution” by failing to organise essential constituency and regional delegates conferences, which they contend are constitutional prerequisites for convening a National Delegates Conference.
They further assert that the party’s National Council (NEC) lacked the authority to waive these constitutional requirements. According to them, only the National Annual Delegates Conference itself, as the supreme governing body of the party, possesses the sole authority to waive such provisions.
The plaintiffs claim that despite conveying their grievances in a formal petition to the NEC, their concerns were “ignored.”
They are therefore “praying the court to issue an order for interlocutory injunction restraining the party from organising the Extraordinary Delegates Conference.”
Legally, if the court action is properly served on authorised party officials, the conference should ideally not proceed.
However, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, has said that “no court had served the party any such notice of an action pending before it.”
This suggests the party intends to proceed unless formally restrained.
Reforms and key agenda
The proposed amendments, which the Chairman of the Delegates Conference Planning Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu, stated have been “reduced to resolutions and put in a language easy to understand,” were reportedly circulated a month ago to allow delegates to review them.
While a significant proposed amendment, such as the scrapping of the Special Electoral College, is likely to be discussed, its adoption and implementation timeline remain uncertain.
Mr. Osei-Owusu indicated that constitutional amendments “often took time before the constitution was amended to reflect the changes.” He clarified that the upcoming presidential primaries, scheduled for January 31, 2026, would proceed under the existing constitution if the new one is not ready by then.
Beyond the constitutional reforms, the conference agenda includes:
The National Chairman’s statement, expected to address the party’s current state and future direction.
The report of the General Secretary, providing an overview of party activities and organizational matters.
Statements of account from the National Treasurer, detailing the party’s financial health.
Strict ban on campaign materials to foster unity
Ahead of the programme, the planning committee has implemented a strict ban on all campaign-related materials for aspiring presidential candidates.
This measure aims to prevent the conference arena from becoming a campaign ground and to foster a level playing field.
To ensure compliance, the party has deployed a dedicated grounds and operations team supported by compliance monitors who will patrol the conference grounds and surrounding areas.
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