Fifi Kwetey
A High Court has dismissed a suit which sought to restrain the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from implementing its directive requiring certain government appointees to resign at least six months before contesting the party’s internal election scheduled for December 2026.
The ‘General Jurisdiction Division 8’ of the High Court in Accra delivered the decision on a suit filed by a member of the NDC, clearing the way for the governing party to implement the policy announced in January this year.
General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Kwetey, on January 29, 2026, announced that party members occupying certain government positions must resign at least six clear months before filing nominations if they intend to contest for party office.
The directive applies to Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors and their deputies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, as well as persons occupying analogous offices.
“Any person seeking to contest for a party position who currently holds an office to which he or she was appointed by the President or government must resign from that office at least six clear months before filing nomination claims,” Mr. Kwetey announced at a press conference.
He said the measure, introduced pursuant to Article 54 of the party’s constitution, was intended to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants.
The directive, however exempts chairpersons and members of governing boards, as well as persons occupying analogous board positions. As a result, board appointments alone do not trigger the six-month resignation requirement.
The NDC has scheduled its national congress for December 19, 2026, while nominations for the internal elections are expected to close on November 9, 2026.
The six-month resignation directive expired in June 2026, and government appointees who hold party positions are yet to tender in their resignations.
This could suggest that they do not intend to contest in the upcoming internal elections as the party gears itself up for the 2028 general election.
By Gibril Abdul Razak