By Daniel Bampoe
After decades of resilience, disappointment, and eventual triumph, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ayesu Ntim, has reportedly decided not to seek re-election when his term ends in 2026.
Though the decision is yet to be publicly announced, Asaase News sources within the party confirm that Ntim has communicated his intentions privately to senior officials and close associates.
The revelation, while not entirely unexpected, marks a pivotal moment for the NPP’s leadership structure and signals an imminent generational transition.
At 65, Stephen Ntim is said to be grappling with progressive dementia, a condition that has affected his visibility and effectiveness in recent months.
Health, Absence, and Internal Speculation
Stephen Ntim’s limited public appearances—including his absence from Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s high-profile “Thank You Tour”—sparked growing speculation over his capacity to lead the party into the next electoral cycle.
Those rumours now appear substantiated. Though he intends to complete his current mandate, sources indicate he has ruled out any further bid for leadership.
“Given the intensity of internal party politics, campaign coordination, and dispute resolution, his condition makes it near impossible to carry on with the same energy,” a medical specialist at the University of Ghana Medical School told Asaase News.
From Perseverance to Power
Stephen Ntim’s journey to the chairmanship is one of the most remarkable in Ghana’s political party history.
After five unsuccessful attempts since 2005, he finally clinched the position in 2022. His victory was seen as a testament to persistence and loyalty.
However, his tenure coincided with one of the NPP’s most painful defeats—its worst electoral showing in over 30 years during the 2024 general elections, which saw significant parliamentary losses and a decline in public trust.
Critics point to lapses in leadership, while loyalists argue that external factors such as economic turmoil and voter apathy were more decisive.
Internal Shifts and Broader Leadership Exit
Stephen Ntim’s decision comes amid broader signs of an exodus among the party’s top national executives.
Multiple insiders have confirmed that several members, particularly from the organizational and communication wings, also do not intend to seek re-election.
This has sparked intense debate over the need for succession planning and institutional renewal.
Yet not all are heading for the exit. General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong is expected to stay in the race, positioning himself as a youthful leader who can steer the party toward revitalization.
Some party members view the mass departure as a chance to inject new energy into the NPP.
Others worry about the risks of losing experienced leaders during such a volatile political period.
A Legacy Under Reflection
For Stephen Ntim, this moment serves as a dual reckoning—both personal and political.
Once seen as the embodiment of internal party perseverance, he now exits amid concerns over health and party cohesion.
Still, many within the NPP and even some political opponents in the NDC regard his move as a graceful and strategic bow.
“His decision reflects wisdom,” a senior NPP executive stated. “He’s chosen to prioritize both his health and the party’s long-term stability. That takes courage.”
With 1st Vice Chairman Danquah Smith Buttey and the General Secretary already assuming key duties, the party is effectively preparing for life after Ntim.
The Road Ahead
As the NPP prepares for a new political era, attention now shifts to who will step up to fill the leadership vacuum—and whether that new generation can overcome the factionalism and ideological inconsistencies that have plagued the party in recent years.
For now, Stephen Ntim’s journey from political underdog to embattled chairman concludes as a powerful reminder of the cost of leadership, the unpredictability of public life, and the ever-shifting nature of political legacies.
