As the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) gathers today, July 19, at the University of Ghana Stadium for its National Delegates’ Conference, a significant proposal for constitutional reform is set for deliberation.
Daniel Adomako, also known as Sir Obama-Pokuase of Affa, a Polling Station Secretary at Amasaman, has submitted a comprehensive set of amendments aimed at revitalising the party’s grassroots engagement and democratic processes following its heavy defeat in the 2024 general elections.
This is part of 59 amendment proposals to the NPP constitution submitted by various individuals, groups and organisations within the party.
The NPP suffered a substantial setback in the December 2024 polls, losing the presidency to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a significant number of parliamentary seats. The NDC secured 56.55% of the presidential vote and 184 out of 276 parliamentary seats, marking the NPP’s largest loss in the history of the Fourth Republic.
This electoral performance has triggered deep introspection within the party, leading to calls for fundamental structural and procedural changes ahead of the 2028 elections.
Among the key amendments proposed by Adomako, and perhaps the most impactful, is the repeal of Clause 9 of Article 13 of the NPP Constitution.
This clause currently establishes a Special Electoral College, a smaller body of delegates (often senior party members, national, regional, and constituency executives, parliamentarians, and government appointees) who prune the list of presidential aspirants to a manageable number (usually five) before the main presidential primary election involving a larger delegate body.
Adomako argues that this provision is “elitist” and undermines the democratic integrity of the party.
He contends that Clause 9 “assumes that delegates in the main primaries lack the discernment to distinguish between competent and unsuitable presidential candidates, thereby undermining their democratic role.”
Furthermore, he alleges that the operation of this Special Electoral College has been fraught with challenges and susceptible to manipulation.
“The operation of the Special Electoral College has demonstrated significant flaws, as it creates opportunities for a select group of elites to manipulate the process through substantial bribes from aspirants, compromising the integrity of the electoral process.”
He strongly advocates for its complete removal, stating, “Repealing Clause 9 will restore trust in the broader delegate body and eliminate an elitist mechanism prone to corruption. For these reasons, it is hereby proposed that Clause 9 of Article 13 be repealed in its entirety. Thus, all Presidential Aspirants shall proceed directly to the main primaries, ensuring a transparent and democratic selection process free from undue influence by a privileged elite.”
Broader reforms for a stronger NPP
Adomako’s proposals, submitted to the Party’s Constitutional Review and Amendment Committee, span several articles (6, 6A, 7, 9, 10, 13, and 15) and aim to fundamentally reshape the party’s internal structures and operations. These include:
- Expanded Polling Station Executive Committees: To enhance grassroots mobilisation and participation.
- Establishment of Five-Member Electoral Area Committees: Strengthening party structures at a more localised level.
- Restructuring of Constituency and Regional Executive Committees: Introducing specialised appointed and elected roles to improve efficiency and accountability.
- Mandating Specialised Director and Coordinator Roles: Proposed amendments to Article 10 would impose the appointment of roles such as Legal Director, IT Coordinator, and PWDA (Persons With Disability) Coordinator, formalising expertise within the party’s management.
- Redefining and reorganising the National Youth Wing (Article 15): Aiming to empower and streamline the party’s youth structures.
- Robust Governance Mechanisms: These include enlarging the composition and jurisdiction of the National Council’s Vetting Committee for appointed roles and imposing restrictions on dual office-holding to prevent conflicts of interest.
- Broader Delegate Representation: Beyond the presidential primary, the proposals seek to expand delegate representation for the Constituency Annual Delegates Conference.
- Accountability and Meritocracy: By mandating regular meetings and reports and addressing issues like favouritism and inefficiency, the amendments aim to foster a culture of accountability and merit-based appointments within the party.
The debate over the Special Electoral College is not new in Ghanaian politics.
While the NPP introduced it to manage a potentially large pool of aspirants and prevent a drawn-out, costly primary, it has often been criticised for concentrating power in the hands of a few and being susceptible to financial inducements.
Past NPP flagbearer contests, particularly the 2007-2008 and 2014 primaries, which saw a large number of aspirants, highlighted these challenges.
The 2023 Special Super Delegates Congress, which preceded the main primary for the 2024 elections, also drew scrutiny regarding its effectiveness and potential for manipulation.
Ghana’s major political parties, including the NPP and NDC, have faced ongoing scrutiny regarding their internal democratic practices.
Issues such as the monetisation of internal elections, political patronage, and alleged imposition of candidates often lead to disunity and impact overall electoral performance.
Reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, reducing financial influence, and empowering grassroots members are widely seen as crucial for strengthening party democracy and, by extension, national democracy.
Sir Obama-Pokuase’s submission reflects a growing demand from within the NPP for a more inclusive and transparent internal electoral system.
The deliberations at today’s National Delegates Conference will reveal whether the party is ready to embrace these sweeping changes to rebuild unity and position itself for success in the 2028 elections.
Below is the full 59-point constitution review proposal of the NPP.
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