BY Issah Olegor
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has signalled a generational shift within its leadership ranks by endorsing a proposal to reduce the age ceiling for the position of National Youth Organiser from 40 to 35 years.
The move, which aligns with global standards on youth participation in governance, is among a broad set of constitutional amendments discussed at the party’s National Council meeting held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
Background: Comprehensive Review Post-2024 Elections
The age reduction forms part of a comprehensive reform package developed by a 9-member Constitutional Amendment Committee.
The committee was constituted in the aftermath of the 2024 general elections to evaluate and modernize the NPP’s internal structures.
It drew upon findings from both the 2024 Election Review Committee chaired by former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Oquaye and the 2021 Constitutional Review Committee.
Tasked with modernizing the party’s constitutional framework, the committee received over 300 amendment proposals.
It engaged in broad consultations with stakeholders, including past Presidents, flagbearer aspirants, and party grassroots.
Youth Age Cap Adjustment Reflects Global Trend
Among the most symbolic decisions is the adjustment of the youth age definition within the party.
The new upper limit of 35 replaces the previous cap of 40 years.
According to the committee, the change is intended to align with international conventions and national benchmarks, where youth are generally defined as persons under 35.
This change will take effect pending ratification by the party’s National Delegates Conference.
It will affect eligibility for the Youth Organiser role and possibly filter into other youth-centered structures of the party.
Furthermore, to promote inclusivity and representation, the party agreed that in future elections, all youth and female delegates will be allowed to vote in selecting Youth and Women Organisers.
This reform is aimed at ensuring broader grassroots involvement in key leadership selections.
Expanded Electoral Participation for Former Officials
The Amendment Committee also proposed a significant expansion of the party’s internal electoral college to include several categories of former officeholders.
The National Council approved the recommendation, subject to ratification by the upcoming party conference.
Under the proposed arrangement:
Former Members of Parliament (MPs) will gain voting rights at National Delegate Conferences, National Congresses, and both parliamentary and presidential primaries.
Former Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will have voting rights in parliamentary and presidential primaries.
Former Ministers and Deputy Ministers will also be permitted to vote in presidential primaries.
Former CEOs, ambassadors, and other appointees will not automatically be granted voting rights unless appointed as patrons—a category the party may expand.
Former Constituency and Regional Executives will receive voting rights at both levels of primaries.
The inclusion of these experienced former officials is aimed at strengthening institutional memory and rewarding long-serving party members while expanding the decision-making base in internal elections.
Grassroots Reforms and Structural Adjustments
The National Council also adopted a series of recommendations aimed at improving representation at the grassroots level.
Notably:
At the Polling Station level, the number of executive positions will increase from five to seven. Two new positions—Communications Officer and Electoral Affairs Officer—will be introduced.
At the Electoral Area level, four new members will be added to the existing Electoral Area Coordinator structure, forming a five-member committee.
This aligns the party’s structures more closely with the Electoral Commission’s demarcations.
In addition, structural updates at the constituency and regional levels include the decoupling of the Research and Elections Officer roles, and the appointment of PWD (Persons with Disabilities) Coordinators and Regional Legal Officers to reflect evolving needs for inclusion and legal oversight.
Broader Reforms and Governance Measures
In the same reform package, the NPP has proposed the abolition of the controversial Super Delegates Conference, citing its restrictive nature.
Instead, the party plans to expand the electoral college for presidential primaries to include a broader cross-section of stakeholders, including former MPs, MMDCEs, party executives, Council members, and TESCON representatives. The primaries are expected to be held by March 2026.
To promote efficiency and reduce costs, the frequency of the party’s National Delegates Conference will be changed from annually to every two years. A proposal to create a Party Manual—detailing roles and responsibilities of all officers—was also accepted, replacing the practice of enshrining every role in the constitution.
On disciplinary matters, the authority to suspend party members will be moved from Executive Committees to the Disciplinary Committee, to ensure due process and reduce potential abuse of power.
Finally, the constitution will be amended to explicitly affirm that the National Chairman is the official Leader of the Party, a clarification aimed at preventing ambiguity and ensuring cohesive leadership.
