Ambition is not crime but must be regulated — NPP Flagbearer hopefuls cautioned

A print media practitioner and political activist, Bright Philip Donkor, has called on all individuals eyeing the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s flagbearer slot ahead of the 2028 general elections to exercise restraint and uphold the unity of the party. According to him, “ambition, while legitimate, must be regulated for the greater good of the NPP”.

Speaking during an interview on *Asaase Radio 99.5’s Press Pass* programme on *Wednesday, June 11, 2025* — which focused on the topics “NPP Internal Elections: Aspirants Defy No-Campaign Directive” and “GRNMA Strike Cripples Health Services”, Mr. Donkor expressed concern over the subtle signs of premature campaigning among some NPP members despite a clear party directive prohibiting early jostling for leadership.

“Let’s be honest — every would-be NPP flagbearer aspirant wants to secure their base early. So what we’re seeing isn’t surprising. But they must respect the foundational unity of the NPP. The party is bigger than any individual, and many have sacrificed for it. So we must keep the NPP strong in all things,” Mr. Donkor stated.

Unregulated ambition

Mr. Donkor, who is also the Founder of the Briphildon Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, emphasised that the current period should “be one of sober reflection and healing following the party’s electoral defeat in 2024, not a time for open or coded power struggles”. He acknowledged that visibility was an essential currency in politics, but cautioned that unregulated ambition, especially in opposition, could deepen cracks within the party.

“Politics thrives on visibility, and once aspirants smell opportunity especially in a party out of power — silent campaigning is inevitable. But NPP cannot allow defiance to take over. It could damage the party’s 2028 prospects,” he cautioned.

Mr. Donkor, who serves as the news editor of the Daily Statesman, cautioned that if internal competition continues unchecked, it risks weakening the party’s internal cohesion and could erode public confidence in its ability to govern.

“If this trend continues, it could widen internal cracks. Ghanaians are watching — if the NPP looks chaotic internally, how can it be trusted to govern nationally again? And in view of current developments, and to prevent a repeat of some of the actions by flagbearer hopefuls that caused problems for the party during the last elections, I urge the party’s leadership to quicken its pace towards organizing the flagbearership elections,” he said.

Culture of discipline

He urged aspirants and their supporters to embrace a culture of discipline, patience, and strategic engagement, stating that the “success of the NPP in future elections will depend not only on its policies but also on how it manages its internal affairs”.

“My advice to all individuals who will be considering to contest as NPP flagbearer aspirants: let’s all respect the spirit of party unity. There’s time for healthy competition, but now must be about reflection and strategy. The NPP needs healing and focus, not premature showdowns. True leadership shows in restraint, not in loud engagements or coded endorsements,” he said.

Mr. Donkor further noted that the ongoing disregard for the party’s no-campaign directive was not just an issue of individual misconduct but a broader test of the NPP’s internal discipline and resilience.

GRNMA impasse

Touching on the nationwide strike action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), which continues to take a heavy toll on the country’s healthcare delivery, Mr. Donkor called on the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to adopt a more conciliatory and respectful approach toward the demands of nurses and midwives. He indicated that any attempt to indirectly silence the grievances and demands of these essential healthcare workers or engage in a confrontational “tug of war” could worsen the crisis and further undermine public trust in the health system.

“This is a complex issue. Nurses and midwives are indispensable to Ghana’s healthcare system. Their importance goes far beyond bedside care; they are the backbone of primary healthcare delivery and the frontline defenders of our public health. And so they’re striking for a reason. They are striking for dignity, safety, and fairness and they have every right to do that.

“In the first place, it is unfortunate that the Health Minister and the government would respond to this crisis by calling on retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their services. That move was not only dismissive of the concerns raised but also counterproductive,” he said.

Walking the talk

Mr. Donkor also emphasised that resolving the crisis required more than stopgap measures. He called on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue, demonstrate empathy, and respond decisively to the legitimate concerns raised by the GRNMA.

“The government must listen. The government must respect. And most importantly, the government must act. These are not political demands, they are professional and humanitarian ones. The way to resolve this health impasse is not through coercion or neglect or demonstrating any form of governmental superiority, but through cooperation and genuine commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers,” he added.

Normalising periodic strikes?

He further stressed that Ghana cannot afford to normalize periodic strikes in the health sector. According to him, institutionalizing proactive engagement with health unions, honoring collective agreements, investing in the welfare of nurses and midwives, and avoiding the use of political lenses in addressing such issues were key to preventing the recurrence of industrial actions.

“The defiance of the no-campaign directive is not just about individuals. It’s a test of the NPP’s internal cohesion and discipline. How the party handles this moment will shape its strength heading into 2028,” he stressed.

He further reminded the rank and file of the NPP that in politics, timing and temperament were as crucial as vision and ambition. “As the NPP prepare for the future, let no one forget that ambition is not a crime, but it must be regulated. The party’s unity, discipline, and public image are at stake. Those intending to contest should bear in mind that the NPP is bigger than any individual, and must therefore be circumspect in their engagements,” he reiterated.

He added that the NPP doesn’t need to suppress ambition, it needs to structure it. In his view, with clarity, consistent enforcement, and creative party-building initiatives, the party can transform internal contests from sources of fragmentation into engines of renewal.