BY Daniel Bampoe
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) goes to the polls today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, to elect its new national officers at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, bringing a major phase of the party’s internal reorganisation to a climax as it prepares for the 2028 general election.
About 7,100 delegates from across the country are expected to participate in the exercise, which is being supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC), with the party’s National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC) coordinating the internal arrangements. The EC says electoral materials, including ballot papers, have been deployed and preparations for the exercise have been completed.
The elections follow the completion of the NPP’s polling-station, electoral-area, constituency and regional-level reorganisation. The new national officers will assume responsibility for strengthening the party’s structures and coordinating its activities ahead of the 2028 elections, in which Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the NPP’s presidential candidate following his victory in the party’s January 2026 presidential primary.
Chairmanship Attracts Major Attention
The National Chairperson position is being contested by four experienced NPP figures: John Boadu, Sammy Crabbe, Paul Afoko and Boakye Agyarko.
John Boadu, a former General Secretary and National Organiser, is first on the ballot. Sammy Crabbe, a former Greater Accra Regional Chairman and former First Vice Chairman, follows. Former National Chairman Paul Afoko occupies the third position, while former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko is fourth.
The contest has generated considerable attention because the four aspirants have held senior positions in the party at different periods and are campaigning on different approaches to the NPP’s post-2024 reorganisation.
Recent surveys have produced varying measurements of delegate preferences. A Global InfoAnalytics poll of 3,263 delegates placed Boadu at 48 percent, followed by Agyarko at 38 percent, Afoko at 12 percent and Crabbe at two percent. The figures represent survey preferences and are not election results.
Four-way General Secretary Contest
Four candidates are also competing for the General Secretary position: Sylvester Tetteh, Eugene Boakye Antwi, Justin Frimpong Kodua and Dr Charles Dwamena.
The incumbent, Justin Frimpong Kodua, is seeking another term after serving as General Secretary during a period that included the 2024 general election and the subsequent party reorganisation.
The other contenders bring parliamentary, organisational and political experience to a race that will determine who manages the party’s national administration after the Kumasi elections.
13 candidates For Three Vice-Chairperson Positions
The Vice-Chairperson election has the largest field, with 13 candidates competing for three positions.
They are Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Kojo Fosu Boadu, George Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, Richard Ahiagbah, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, Richard Oti Aboagye, Abena Pokua Boaitey Amoah, Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, Henry Nana Boakye, Horma Akesie Miezah, Samuel Pyne, Nana Akomea and Bright Esselfie Kumi.
The three candidates who obtain the highest votes will occupy the First, Second and Third Vice-Chairperson positions under the existing arrangement.
Among the better-known names are Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Richard Ahiagbah, Henry Nana Boakye, Samuel Pyne and Nana Akomea, each of whom has held significant public or party responsibilities.
National Organiser Race
Seven candidates remain in the National Organiser contest following the withdrawal of Salam Mustapha.
The remaining aspirants are Kwame Prempeh, Daniel Agyenim Boateng, Archibald Gamor Korletey, Nana Kwadjo Agyei Yeboah, Ali Maiga Halidu, Emmanuel Korsi Bodja and Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover.
Titus Glover, a former Member of Parliament for Tema East and former Greater Accra Regional Minister, is contesting from the seventh position on the ballot.
Salam Mustapha, who had initially entered the contest, announced his withdrawal on September 9, saying circumstances beyond his control had made it impossible for him to continue. He nevertheless reaffirmed his commitment to the NPP and its efforts to return to power.
Youth And Women’s Races
The National Youth Organiser position is being contested by Alfred Kumi Ababio, Vera Oye Bram-Larbi, Michael Osei Boateng, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu, Clement Opoku Gyamfi and Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah.
The women’s race is a two-way contest between Hajia Safia Mohammed and Mavis Hawa Koomson. Perpetual Ekua Lomokie Akwada, who had initially purchased nomination forms, did not complete the filing process.
The Youth Organiser election will have a considerably larger eligible voting population because the party’s rules allow delegates below the age of 40 to participate in that particular contest.
Treasurer And Nasara contests
Four candidates are contesting the National Treasurer position: Hajia Ruka Ahmed, Alfred Kojo Thompson, Tahiru Issahaku Moomin and Collins Nuntwiri Nuamah.
The National Nasara Organiser contest has five candidates: Mohammed Ali Suraj, Issaka Muazo Kunata, Awal Mohammed, Alhaji Salim Bamba and Razak Tahiru Maiga.
Communications Position Uncontested
The National Communications Director position is uncontested, with Dennis Miracles Aboagye as the sole candidate following the withdrawal of Evans Kodom.
31 voting Centres At Baba Yara
To manage the large number of delegates and prevent voting from extending deep into the night, the NPP has established 31 voting centres within the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Twenty-one centres will handle the main executive positions, including National Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, General Secretary, National Organiser and National Treasurer. The remaining ten centres will cater for the youth, women and Nasara elections.
No more than 400 delegates will be assigned to each centre, with EC officials supervising the voting and accredited candidate agents observing the process. A simulation involving the NPP, EC and Police was also conducted to test the arrangements before election day.
Constitutional Amendments Before Voting
Delegates will first undertake constitutional business before proceeding to the elections. Proposed amendments include changes concerning the leadership of the party, the election and appointment of Vice-Chairpersons, the creation of Deputy Communications Officer positions and making the IT Officer an executive position.
The NOEC has indicated that voting is expected to begin around midday. Delegates must have their names on the official register and present a valid Voter ID, Ghana Card or NPP party card for verification.
The committee has also cautioned delegates against photographing marked ballot papers or attempting to direct others on how to vote.
Heavy Security Deployment
Security has also been stepped up across Kumasi for the conference. The NPP says between 3,000 and 4,000 police personnel have been deployed to manage security, traffic and the movement of delegates around the stadium and their accommodation facilities.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced temporary road closures and diversions around Baba Yara Sports Stadium and designated parking arrangements for accredited participants.
