BY Daniel Bampoe
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has approved a constitutional amendment formally recognising its elected presidential candidate as the leader of the party, placing Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the centre of the party’s political leadership structure ahead of the 2028 general election.
The amendment was considered at the party’s ongoing National Delegates Conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Delegates approved the proposal by an oral vote, according to reports from the conference.
The decision follows months of discussion within the NPP over the question of who should formally exercise political leadership of the party when it is in opposition and has an elected presidential candidate.
Under Motion Ten, the party proposed amendments to Articles 10(4)(1) and 13 to provide that, when the NPP has an elected presidential candidate, the presidential candidate shall be the Leader of the Party.
The proposal further provides that when the party is in government, the President shall be the Leader of the Party until a new presidential candidate is elected.
The stated objective of the amendment is to establish a clearer leadership structure and remove possible ambiguity over the relationship between the National Chairman, the presidential candidate and, when applicable, the President.
The proposal identifies the presidential candidate as the principal political focal point of the party while establishing a succession arrangement under which the President assumes the leadership of the party when the NPP is in government and remains so until another presidential candidate is elected.
The change has particular significance for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who became the NPP’s presidential candidate after winning the party’s presidential primary in January 2026. He subsequently led the party into the 2026 reorganisation process and is now the party’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
The NPP has said its new national executives are expected to work with him and the party’s structures as preparations for 2028 intensify.
From January constitutional changes to a new leadership arrangement
The latest amendment follows an earlier constitutional change considered by the NPP in January 2026. The leadership question subsequently generated further discussions within the party, with different views emerging over whether the National Chairman or presidential candidate should formally be recognised as the party’s leader.
Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu had earlier warned that ambiguity over the leadership structure could create tensions, particularly in circumstances where the National Chairman and presidential candidate do not share the same political interests. He said the party needed to carefully consider whether to formalise the presidential candidate’s position as leader.
The new amendment seeks to settle that question by distinguishing between the party’s leadership when it is in opposition and when it is in government.
The development also comes as the NPP undertakes a wider internal reorganisation following its 2024 electoral defeat. Polling-station, electoral-area, constituency and regional elections have already been completed, paving the way for the national officers’ elections being held in Kumasi. More than 7,100 delegates are participating in the process.
Changes to Vice-Chairmanship structure
The leadership amendment is one of several proposed changes considered as part of the constitutional review.
Motion Eleven sought to amend Article 10(5) to provide for the appointment of three additional National Vice-Chairpersons. Under the proposal, the party would have six Vice-Chairpersons in total — three elected and three appointed.
The appointed Vice-Chairpersons would not be eligible to succeed to the position of National Chairperson.
According to the justification accompanying the proposal, the additional appointments are intended to reduce the workload of the National Chairperson, strengthen regional mobilisation and improve geographical, ethnic, religious and gender balance within the party’s leadership.
The proposal also cites Article 55(9) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the composition of political parties’ national leadership to reflect the national character of Ghana.
Motion Twelve proposed another major change to the election of Vice-Chairpersons. Instead of candidates contesting a general pool and subsequently being ranked according to their votes, aspirants would indicate at the nomination stage whether they were contesting for First, Second or Third National Vice-Chairperson.
The proposal is intended to give delegates the opportunity to select candidates specifically for each of the three positions and to encourage aspirants to present distinct programmes for the offices they seek.
Presidential candidate to control campaign structure
Another important proposal, Motion Nine, sought to amend Articles 10(3)(2) and 10(4)(2) to give the presidential candidate a formal role in developing the party’s presidential campaign structure.
Under the proposal, the presidential candidate, in consultation with the National Executive Committee, would develop the campaign structure for the presidential election and appoint the Chairperson and other members of the National Campaign Advisory Committee.
Those appointments would remain subject to approval by the National Council.
The stated objective is to align campaign leadership with the vision of the presidential candidate while retaining institutional oversight by the party.
President to return to National Steering Committee
Motion Thirteen proposed an amendment to Article 10(10)(2) to reinstate the President, when the NPP is in government, as a member of the National Steering Committee. The justification for the proposal is to improve coordination between the party and government by ensuring that the President, as both head of government and leader of the party when the NPP is in government, participates in the National Steering Committee.
According to the proposal, presidential participation would facilitate consultation and coordination on political and governance matters.
Women’s participation receives constitutional backing
The proposed reforms also included a specific provision concerning the party’s Women’s Wing. Motion Fourteen sought to amend Article 15(1)(2) by adding a new paragraph mandating the Women’s Wing to promote the progressive achievement of greater participation by women in Ghana’s political system.
The proposal links the responsibility to the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) and seeks to give the Women’s Wing an institutional mandate to promote, monitor and support women’s participation in politics.
Regional Patrons to receive voting rights
Another proposed change would amend Article 10(1)(3) to give Chairpersons of Regional Patrons voting rights at the National Delegates Conference.
The justification states that the change would formally recognise the financial and other contributions made by party patrons to the growth and sustenance of the NPP.
It is also intended to increase their participation in party decision-making and strengthen their sense of inclusion in the party’s organisational structure.
Administrative manual proposed for all party officers
Motion Eight proposed an amendment to Article 10(2) requiring the National Council to provide an Administrative Manual setting out the duties, responsibilities and functions of elected and non-elected party officers at all levels.
The proposed manual is intended to clarify responsibilities, improve accountability, reduce duplication and minimise conflicts between officers and structures.
The proposal would establish a clearer framework for party officials to understand their respective roles.
More changes at constituency and regional level
The proposed constitutional reforms also extend to the grassroots structures of the party.
Motion Two sought to provide for the appointment of an additional Constituency Vice-Chairperson to each Constituency Executive Committee. The stated objective is to expand leadership participation and improve the distribution of responsibilities at the constituency level.
Motion Three proposed that Regional and Constituency Information Technology Officers become members of their respective Regional and Constituency Executive Committees. The proposal reflects the increasing importance of technology, information management and data in modern party administration and electoral organisation.
The amendment would also give IT officers greater institutional authority and protection to perform their technical duties, while strengthening data management, digital coordination, information security and electoral preparedness.
Another proposed amendment, Motion One, sought to increase the representation of the National Council of Elders on the National Disciplinary Committee from one member to two. The stated purpose is to bring greater institutional experience and balance to disciplinary proceedings and strengthen confidence in the party’s internal disciplinary processes.
Constitutional reforms amid national elections
The constitutional changes form the first major component of the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, before delegates proceed with the election of national officers.
The conference is being held as the party completes its internal reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general election. A total of 7,163 delegates were expected to participate in the national elections, with the Electoral Commission supervising the voting process.
