L-R: Haruna Mohammed, NPP Deputy General Secretary, Joseph Osei-Owusu, Planning Committee Chair and Henry Nana Boakye
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership has disclosed that final preparatory works are underway for Saturday’s National Delegates’ Conference to be held at the University of Ghana (UG) Sports Stadium in Accra.
NPP’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), speaking ahead of the conference dispelled rumours that is it a campaign event, stating, “It is a gathering strictly for delegates and stakeholders defined by the party’s constitution.”
He shared a glimpse of the programme for the conference which included reports from the General Secretary, Treasurer, and National Chairman followed by consideration of reform proposals that may lead to constitutional amendments by the over 5,500 delegates expected to participate in the event.
Constitutional Reforms
One of the key items on the agenda is the consideration of reform proposals developed by the Frank Davies Committee. These proposals, if endorsed by a two-thirds majority of delegates, will result in amendments to the party’s constitution under Article 19.
“We are not only taking reports but actively seeking to amend the constitution to reflect evolving party dynamics. These amendments are the product of extensive consultations and have been shared with all regional and constituency offices for review,” Nana B explained.
The reforms come on the back of previous recommendations by the Prof. Mike Oquaye Committee and are meant to modernise the party’s internal structures and streamline operations ahead of the 2028 elections.
Mr. Boakye admitted that tensions were currently high within the party because of the upcoming presidential primary, but indicated that it was a natural phenomenon.
He further dismissed rumours that the leadership intends to impose a preferred candidate on the party, describing such claims as unfounded.
“This is a party of nearly 400,000 delegates. Nobody can control such a huge number to favour a single candidate. Our job as national executives is to ensure a level playing field. That’s the only way to bring everyone on board post-elections.”
…Two File Injunction
Meanwhile, two members of the party, Shamsudeen Iddrisu and Boateng Kwadwo have filed an application at the High Court to temporarily restrain the party from organising the National Delegates’ Conference pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging the party’s decision to hold the conference ahead of constituency and regional level delegates’ conferences.
The applicants are challenging the decision of the party to consider proposals for amendment to the party’s constitution, which they say breaches provisions of the constitution which stipulate that amendments shall be done at National Annual Delegates’ Conference and not an Extraordinary Delegates’ Conference.
They further argue that the General Secretary’s decision to circulate the notice for the proposed amendment on social media flouts the party’s constitution, which stipulates that it must be sent to the constituency and regional offices of the party for consideration ahead of the National Delegates’ Conference.
They argue that provisions of the party’s constitution have not been met and that the party cannot proceed to hold an Annual Delegates’ Conference to consider the proposal for amendments of the constitution.
“That the General Secretary has deliberately failed to give the one (1) month notice convening the National Annual Delegates’ Conference to every Constituency Executive Committee,” the applicants argue.
They further argue that the party has not demonstrated any exceptional circumstances for the conduct of the National Delegates’ Conference to amend the party’s constitution without complying with the express provisions of the constitution.
It is their case that the conduct of the party will deprive the constituency and regional levels the opportunity to consider the proposed amendments prior to the scheduled date for the conference and also the opportunity to make meaningful inputs at the conference.
They aver that the party will not suffer any hardship or inconvenience if the application is granted, as they have the opportunity to convene the meeting upon complying with the provisions of the party’s constitution.
On the other hand, they add that they and other members of the party will suffer untold distress and hardship as they will be saddled with binding resolutions and decisions which will amend the party’s constitution.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah & Gibril Abdul Razak