NPP constitutional amendment makes Presidential candidate & sitting president party leader

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has amended its constitution to make its presidential candidate the leader of the party.

Under the amended provisions, when the party is in government, the President will serve as the leader of the party until a new presidential candidate is elected.

The amendment to Articles 10(4)(1) and 13 seeks to formalise the party’s leadership structure and eliminate ambiguity or potential disputes over who exercises political leadership of the party.

The amendment recognises the presidential candidate as the principal political focal point of the party when it is in opposition. When the party is in government, however, the President, as the holder of the highest executive political authority, will lead the party until a new presidential candidate is elected.

The proposal therefore establishes a clear succession of political leadership, with the presidential candidate leading when one has been elected and the President taking over as party leader when the NPP is in government and has no presidential candidate.

The amendment was contained in Motion Ten, one of 14 constitutional amendments tabled and approved at the party’s National Delegates Conference held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium last Saturday.

Before the amendments were considered, the immediate past Acting National Chairman, Danquah Smith Buttey, called for their consideration to be postponed to the next conference, citing time constraints.

However, the Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Frank Davies, proceeded to present all 14 amendments to the delegates for consideration. The delegates subsequently voted to approve all the proposed amendments.

Other amendments

Article 10(10)(2) was amended to reinstate the President, when the party is in government, as a member of the National Steering Committee.

The amendment also formally recognises the President as leader of the party while in government and provides for the position on the National Steering Committee. According to the party, this is intended to ensure effective coordination and harmony between the party and government.

There was also an amendment to Articles 4(1)(7) and 16(9) to increase the representation of the National Council of Elders on the National Disciplinary Committee from one member to two.

The change is intended to strengthen the representation of the National Council of Elders and bring greater experience, wisdom and institutional perspective to disciplinary proceedings, while promoting balance, fairness and confidence in the party’s disciplinary processes.

Article 7(2) was also amended to provide for the appointment of an additional constituency vice-chairperson to the Constituency Executive Committee.

The party said the move would strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of Constituency Executive Committees by broadening leadership participation, facilitating the distribution of responsibilities and improving coordination and administration at the constituency level.

Articles 7(2) and 9(1) were further amended to include Regional Information Technology Officers and Constituency Information Technology Officers as members of their respective regional and constituency executive committees.

The amendment formally recognises IT officers as members of the executive committees, reflecting the growing importance of technology, information and data in party administration and electoral activities.

Similarly, Articles 7(2) and 9(1) were amended to provide for the appointment of Deputy Regional Communications Officers and Deputy Constituency Communications Officers as members of their respective executive committees.

The proposal follows the transition of regional and constituency communications officers from appointive to elective positions, bringing them in line with other elected officers who have deputies.

Furthermore, Article 9(1) was amended to provide for the appointment of two additional regional vice-chairpersons to the Regional Executive Committee.

The party said the amendment would strengthen the Regional Executive Committee by broadening leadership participation, facilitating the distribution of responsibilities and improving coordination and administration at the regional level.

Additionally, Article 10(1)(3) was amended to grant voting rights at the National Delegates Conference to chairpersons of the Regional Councils of Elders.

The amendment is intended to ensure consistency and fairness in the allocation of voting rights at the National Delegates Conference.

The party noted that chairpersons of the Regional Councils of Elders are members of the Regional Steering Committees under Article 9(3), while other members of the committees already enjoy voting rights. Extending the same right to the chairpersons would therefore eliminate the anomaly and ensure equitable representation.

Article 10(1)(3) was also amended to grant voting rights at the National Delegates Conference to chairpersons of the newly established Regional Patrons.

According to the party, the move would enhance recognition of the patrons, boost their morale and strengthen their sense of belonging and participation in party decision-making.

Article 10(2) was also amended to mandate the National Council to provide an administrative manual setting out the detailed duties, responsibilities and functions of all elected and non-elected party officers at all levels.

The manual is intended to institutionalise a clear framework governing the duties and responsibilities of party officers.

The delegates also amended Articles 10(3)(2) and 10(4)(2) to empower the presidential candidate, in consultation with the National Executive Committee, to develop the campaign structure for the presidential election.

The presidential candidate will also be able to appoint the chairperson and other members of the National Campaign Advisory Committee, subject to the approval of the National Council. The committee will oversee and coordinate the party’s national campaign.

Article 10(5) was further amended to provide for the appointment of three additional national vice-chairpersons, increasing the total number from three to six.

The newly appointed vice-chairpersons will not be eligible to succeed to the position of National Chairman.

The amendment also alters the previous arrangement under which the First, Second and Third National Vice-Chairpersons were separate elective positions, with each position contested independently at the National Delegates Conference.

Finally, Article 15(1)(2) was amended to add a new paragraph (g), mandating the Women’s Wing to champion and promote the progressive achievement of women’s participation in the political process in accordance with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).