NPP flagbearer becomes leader of the party as delegates approve amendment

Delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have approved a constitutional amendment that makes the party’s flagbearer its leader.

The change was one of 14 amendments passed at the party’s National Delegates Conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3. All 14 motions put forward by the Constitution Amendment Committee went through.

The vote came even though Acting National Chairman Joseph Danquah Smith had earlier proposed putting the amendments off to the next conference. He had said delegates would not have enough time to consider them properly while also taking part in the national executive elections.

The leadership change is the most significant of the amendments. At its January 31, 2026 conference, the NPP introduced a clause stating that the National Chairman would be the party leader at all material times.

The new amendment reverses that and names the flagbearer as the leader as the party is preparing for the 2028 general election with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as its flagbearer.

Another amendment changes how Vice Chairpersons are elected. Until now, every candidate has contested for National First Vice Chairman, with the first, second and third Vice Chairpersons decided by the order of votes. Under the new system, candidates will declare for, and contest, a specific Vice Chairperson position.

Delegates also approved the appointment of three additional Vice Chairpersons who will not be elected. Other amendments create Deputy Communications Officer positions and raise the IT Officer to an executive position.

The Chairman of the NPP Constitution Amendment Committee, Frank Davies, said the amendments were limited and had become necessary because of “acts of omission and commission” linked to the last amendment, in 2025.

He said it was “imperative that these amendments are carried through” because of what they mean for the party’s organisational structure.

The review was the first part of the conference, followed by the election of new national officers. A total of 7,163 delegates from all 16 regions took part, with voting at 31 polling stations for nine national executive positions. The Electoral Commission supervised the elections and verified delegates.

ALSO READ:

NPP approves 14 constitutional amendments despite earlier call to defer exercise

NDC delegation leaves NPP conference over delayed start

Sammy Crabbe steps down from NPP Chairmanship race