By: Daniel Bampoe
In a decisive show of grassroots influence, delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday, July 19, 2025, voted down two major constitutional amendment proposals during the party’s National Delegates Conference held at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra.
The proposals, which aimed at realigning the party’s youth age classification with international standards and centralize oversight of polling station elections, were met with resounding opposition
The highly anticipated conference brought together over 5,000 delegates, including Members of Parliament, national and regional party executives, and other key stakeholders, to deliberate on 56 motions extracted from more than 300 amendment submissions received nationwide.
The conference, themed “Rebuilding Together with Our Values,” comes at a critical time for the NPP as it charts a path forward following its defeat in the 2024 general elections.
One of the most debated proposals, Motion 54, sought to amend Article 15(4) of the party’s constitution by lowering the definition of youth from 40 to 35 years.
This amendment was rooted in efforts to synchronize with international standards, including definitions by the United Nations (15–24 years), the World Health Organization (15–29 years), UNICEF (15–24 years), and the African Youth Charter (15–35 years). Locally, the National Youth Authority Act of Ghana defines youth as persons between 15 and 25 years.
Chairman of the Constitutional Amendment Committee, Frank Davies, led the presentation of the motion, explaining the rationale behind the change.
“This alignment with international norms would help the party define youth participation more accurately and create opportunities for actual young people to lead,” he argued.
Former Information Minister and committee member, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah further supported the motion, noting that the current age ceiling of 40 was outdated and out of step with legal and global trends.
However, delegates pushed back, insisting the current provision offers broader inclusion and reflects the party’s realities on the ground.
Without the need for a formal count, the motion was loudly rejected through a voice vote.
“The ‘No’ has it,” Chairman Davies confirmed, thereby maintaining the party’s existing youth definition of “not above 40 years.”
This decision ensures that a larger group of young leaders—many already holding office—remain eligible under the youth category.
Another major proposal shot down was Motion 17, which sought to alter Article 7(30) of the party’s constitution. It aimed at shifting the responsibility for supervising polling station and electoral area elections from constituency executives to the Regional Executive Committee.
According to proponents, the move was necessary to address perceived conflicts of interest at the constituency level.
“Since constituencies are directly involved in the compilation of the electoral album, which forms the basis for elections, shifting supervisory responsibility to the regional level would ensure neutrality and integrity,” the motion’s text explained.
Despite its intent to enhance transparency, the proposal was again met with skepticism and ultimately rejected. Delegates argued that such centralization could alienate local party actors and reduce accountability to the grassroots.
The rejection reinforces the NPP’s traditional preference for decentralization and local autonomy in managing internal electoral affairs.
The failure of these two motions underscores an important trend within the NPP: the strong influence of the party’s base and their insistence on preserving the current structures that they believe have helped maintain internal cohesion and control.
This year’s conference also served as a platform for reflection and recommitment, with party leaders such as General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia urging unity and strategic rebuilding ahead of the 2028 elections.
Other proposals considered included reforms to the party’s electoral college and disciplinary structures.
