Let’s Build a Stronger Party Before Electing a Flagbearer – Kwabena Frimpong

The Deputy Protocol Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kwabena Frimpong, has voiced strong opposition to the proposal suggesting that the party should elect its flagbearer before conducting internal elections for other positions.

In a Facebook post sighted, Mr. Frimpong emphasized the importance of maintaining the party’s traditional bottom-up electoral process.

He stated, “Imagine being involved in a serious accident on your way to Kumasi. Instead of repairing the damaged vehicle, you insist on continuing the journey in its broken state. That would be reckless. Similarly, no one begins building a house by installing the roof before laying the foundation. To construct something solid, you start from the ground up.”

Mr. Frimpong continued by stressing that the strength of the NPP lies in its grassroots structures. “As a political party, we must begin our internal reorganization from the base — starting with the polling station executives, followed by the electoral area coordinators, regional executives, and then the national leadership. Only after establishing a strong and credible internal framework should we proceed to elect a flagbearer,” he said.

He called for a fair, transparent, and inclusive process that respects the party’s established traditions and ensures unity ahead of the next general elections.

Below is the full open letter

Open Letter To National Chairman & General Secretary

Dear Sir,

Subject: Let’s build a Stronger Party Before electing a Flagbearer: Why NPP Must Reject Top-Down Flagbearer First Proposals.

As a committed member of the New Patriotic Party and in my capacity as Deputy Protocol Director, I strongly oppose the proposal suggesting that the NPP should elect its flagbearer first before electing other internal party positions. This idea not only contradicts our long-standing democratic traditions but also threatens to erode the very foundation upon which our party was built — the grassroots.

– Undermining Grassroots Participation

The strength of the NPP lies in its vibrant and committed base, starting from the polling stations, through the electoral areas, constituencies, regions and National. Our traditional approach electing party officers from the bottom up ensures that the decision-making power begins with the grassroots. Electing a flagbearer first reverses this structure and effectively sidelines the voice of the grassroots, weakening the democratic spirit that weaken the NPP democratical principles of the party.

– Risk of Imposed Leadership

When a flagbearer is elected before the party’s base structures are fully formed or renewed, it opens the door for favoritism, manipulation, and potential imposition of preferred candidates on the rank-and-file. This top-down method creates a power imbalance, where the chosen flagbearer may unduly influence the selection of party executives at all other levels whom are perceived his supporters eroding fairness and trust in the process. All prospective aspirants perceived to be anti the Flagbearer would be sidelined in the internal election leading to more division in the party

– Conflicts of Interest and Internal Disunity

Historically, the NPP has avoided internal strife by allowing the party to rebuild its structures before choosing its Flagbearer. If we flip the order and select a flagbearer first, we risk deepening factionalism within the party, as aspirants may attempt to use their influence to install loyalists across various levels, rather than focusing on building a united and efficient party machinery.

– Institutional Precedent Matters

Our electoral tradition has always prioritized party organization before presidential ambitions. This structure is not only time-tested but also designed to produce a well-prepared, organized, and united front. Changing the process arbitrarily — particularly to favor a few individuals — could set a dangerous precedent where party rules are bent for political convenience.

– Organizational Efficiency and Mobilization

A solid and legitimate executive base across all levels is necessary to mobilize effectively for any national election. Without elected local and regional executives, a flagbearer will lack the full support structure needed to launch a cohesive and effective campaign. Electing executives first ensures the flagbearer inherits a functional and representative party ready for battle.

– Electing Party Executives before the Flagbearer would enhance check and balances

When the party executives are elected before the Flagbearer, there would be proper check and balances when setting up the National Campaign team and Manifesto committee to avoid a one sided team filled with only loyalists of the Flagbearer but a United campaign team even with members from the Flagbearers opposing teams members.

Finally, as a proud member and servant of this great party, I believe it is in the best interest of the NPP to uphold its tradition of bottom-up leadership selection which has been done from the formation of the party in 1992. We must resist attempts to centralize power and instead trust the structures that have guided us to four(4) presidential electoral victories time and time again. Let us continue to build the party from the grassroots which would be strong, united, and prepared for election 2028 before we choose our next Flagbearer, no one begins building a house by installing the roof before laying the foundation. To construct a solid house, you must start from the ground up not top down.

Thank You.

Kwabena Frimpong
Deputy Protocol Director, NPP