By Issah Olegor
Salam Mustapha, the Incumbent and an aspiring National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has withdrawn from the party’s ongoing national executive elections, ending his bid for the influential organisational position.
In a formal letter dated September 9, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the NPP National Officers Elections Committee at the party’s headquarters in Accra, Mr. Mustapha announced his decision to withdraw from the contest for National Organiser.
The former candidate described the decision as a difficult one, explaining that it had been taken despite what he characterised as considerable encouragement, goodwill and support from NPP members, delegates, colleagues and well-wishers across the country.
According to him, “circumstances beyond my control” had made it impossible for him to continue with his candidature. He did not, however, provide further details about the circumstances that informed his decision.
Mr. Mustapha stressed that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as a retreat from the NPP or its political ideals. He said his commitment to the party remained intact and pledged to continue contributing to its unity, rebuilding efforts and electoral fortunes.
He also reiterated his support for the presidential ambitions of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, stating that he would continue working towards the objective of making the former Vice President the next President of Ghana.
The withdrawal comes at a significant point in the NPP’s internal electoral process, as the party prepares to elect a new national leadership team to lead its reorganisation following the 2024 general election.
The National Organiser position is one of the key positions in the party’s national executive structure, with the office playing a central role in coordinating party structures and grassroots mobilisation.
Before his withdrawal, Mustapha was among the candidates seeking the position in a field that included Ing. Kwame Prempeh, Agyenim Boateng, Archibald Gamor Korletey, Nana K, Ali Maiga Halidu, Emmanuel Korsi Bordja and Daniel Nii Kwartey Titus Glover.
His exit therefore changes the dynamics of the contest and reduces the number of candidates competing for the organisational portfolio.
In his withdrawal statement, Mr. Mustapha expressed particular appreciation to those who had supported his campaign and appealed to his supporters to accept his decision and remain united around what he described as the broader interest of the NPP.
He cautioned against allowing individual political ambitions to become more important than the collective interests of the party.
“Political positions may come and go, but our commitment to the NPP and the future of our Party must remain greater than any individual ambition,” he stated.
Mr. Mustapha further wished the party and all candidates participating in the internal electoral process well, expressing hope that the choices made during the elections would strengthen the NPP and position it for future electoral victory.
The NPP’s national executive elections are scheduled for October 3, 2026, following the party’s nomination, filing, vetting and appeals processes.
The party’s announced timetable places the exercise within a broader effort to reorganise its national structures and prepare for the next electoral cycle.
The party has indicated that the elections will be conducted under the supervision of its National Elections Committee, with the Electoral Commission of Ghana expected to conduct the elections in line with the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574).
Mr. Mustapha concluded his letter on a religious note, quoting Psalm 23, which he described as his favourite passage in the Holy Bible: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…”
His withdrawal leaves the remaining contenders to intensify their campaigns as the NPP moves closer to the election that will determine the party’s next national organisational leadership.
