By Issah Olegor
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has secured a major legal victory after the Accra High Court dismissed a suit challenging the party’s directive requiring government appointees to resign before contesting executive positions in the upcoming internal elections.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Sedina Agbamava, effectively clears the way for the governing party to implement one of its most significant internal electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 regional and national executive elections.
The suit had sought to restrain the NDC from enforcing its mandatory resignation policy, arguing against the directive approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
However, the court dismissed the application in its entirety, leaving the party’s internal guidelines intact.
The decision means that political appointees who intend to contest for constituency, regional or national executive positions within the NDC must comply with the party’s constitutional requirements and timelines or risk disqualification from the internal electoral process.
Earlier this year, the NDC National Secretariat issued a directive, under reference number NDC/HR/25-3/100, outlining the roadmap for the party’s nationwide reorganization exercise.
The circular, signed by Deputy General Secretary (Finance and Administration), Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, announced the opening of nominations for branch elections and specified resignation deadlines for government appointees seeking to contest higher party offices.
Under the guidelines approved by the National Executive Committee, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors, their deputies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), as well as officials occupying equivalent positions, were required to resign before contesting internal elections.
The timelines required affected appointees seeking constituency executive positions to resign by April 30, 2026, those contesting regional executive positions by May 14, 2026, and aspirants for national executive positions by June 7, 2026.
The party explained that the policy was introduced to ensure fairness in the electoral process, prevent the possible use of state resources to influence internal campaigns, eliminate conflicts of interest, and create a level playing field for all contestants.
The directive has already resulted in several high-profile resignations across government.
Among those who stepped down was Dr. Kevor Mark-Oliver, who resigned as Director-General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) to contest for the position of Eastern Regional Chairman.
Similarly, Kojo Danquah resigned as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund to contest for the office of Deputy National Communications Officer.
Reports also indicated that Osman Abdulai Ayariga stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority to pursue the position of National Youth Organiser.
