By Daniel Bampoe
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has approved a massive constitutional reform package, endorsing 54 out of 56 proposed amendments at its National Delegates’ Conference at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
The constitutional overhaul is part of the party’s broader strategy to rejuvenate internal structures, expand its electoral base, and prepare for victory in the 2028 general elections.
The comprehensive reforms — described as one of the most extensive in the party’s history — touched on nearly every layer of party governance, including grassroots reorganization, policy reforms, structural changes, electoral rules, and inclusivity mandates.
However, two motions — which touched on youth eligibility and regional supervision of polling station elections — were decisively rejected by the delegates, signalling deep grassroots sentiment against centralization and youth age limits.
Background to the Reforms
Calls for constitutional amendments within the NPP intensified following the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.
Party stakeholders, including executives, grassroots activists, and think tanks, urged leadership to restructure the party’s internal democracy and rebuild trust, especially at the base.
Ahead of the 2025 conference, General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong spearheaded the motion process, circulating draft proposals for wide stakeholder input.
By July 19, a total of 56 motions had been compiled and tabled for debate and approval.
The motions spanned Articles 1 through 15 of the party constitution, reflecting a robust attempt to modernize and reposition the party for future electoral contests.
The Two Motions Rejected
Despite the overwhelming endorsement of 54 motions, two proposals met stiff resistance:
Motion 17 sought to amend Article 7(30) to give Regional Executive Committees the authority to appoint supervisors — excluding polling station and electoral area officers — for grassroots elections.
Delegates feared this would erode local autonomy and weaken constituency-level control. In a resounding voice vote, the proposal was shot down.
Motion 54, aimed at aligning the NPP’s definition of “youth” with global standards (i.e., individuals not above 35 years), was also rejected.
Advocates, including Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, cited references from the UN, WHO, UNICEF, and Ghana’s own National Youth Authority Act.
However, the motion sparked concerns about excluding competent young persons who fall just outside the 35-year cap but remain active in party youth wings.
Key Approved Amendments
The 54 approved motions represent significant structural changes, some of which include:
Expansion of Grassroots Representation: Motion 6 expanded polling station executives from five to seven to enhance inclusiveness. A new five-member Electoral Area Executive Committee was also introduced under Motion 5.
Elective Positions for Communications Officers: Motion 9 now requires communication officers at all levels — from polling station to national — to be elected rather than appointed, to promote transparency and meritocracy.
Removal of Dual Office Holders: Motion 10 prevents party officers appointed to government positions from holding party roles concurrently, ensuring full attention to each mandate.
New Voting Rights for TESCON and External Branches: Several motions (24, 25, 19, 20) granted voting rights at regional and national conferences to TESCON Coordinators, TESCON Presidents, and external branch executives — part of efforts to broaden participation in key decision-making.
Abolition of the Special Electoral College: Motion 47 ended the controversial Super Delegates system used to screen presidential aspirants — a move expected to open up the process to wider participation.
Redefined Leadership Structure: Motion 35 affirmed the National Chairperson as the official Leader of the Party, while Motion 36 tasked the Chairperson with leading the Campaign Advisory Committee during election seasons.
Strengthening Financial Oversight: Under Motions 16 and 38, treasurers’ reports now require prior approval from Executive Committees, and the National Treasurer will report directly to the General Secretary — consolidating administrative accountability.
Reactions and Outlook
Party members and political analysts have described the scale and scope of the reforms as “historic.” Many believe that the changes signal a clear departure from elite-driven politics towards a more grassroots-centered party structure.
Speaking after the conference, General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong hailed the outcomes as “a bold step towards deepening democracy and rejuvenating the NPP for a stronger 2028 campaign.”
With internal restructuring now in motion, attention is expected to shift towards candidate selection for parliamentary and presidential elections, where the newly expanded electoral college will play a critical role.
Despite the rejection of two motions, the overwhelming adoption of the reforms signals a united front within the party — one that is ready to embrace change while preserving foundational principles.
