Delegates at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Delegates Conference in Kumasi have approved all 14 proposed constitutional amendment motions presented to them.

The approval came despite an earlier proposal by Acting National Chairman Joseph Danquah Smith to defer consideration of the amendments to the party’s next conference.

Mr Smith had argued that the limited time available would make it difficult for delegates to properly consider the proposals while also taking part in the election of new national executives.

The party, however, proceeded with the constitutional review at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with all 14 motions presented by the Constitution Amendment Committee approved by delegates.

Chairman of the NPP Constitution Amendment Committee, Frank Davies, said the amendments were necessary to address gaps in the party’s organisational structure.

“These limited constitutional amendments were necessitated by some acts of omission and commission, which heralded the last amendment we had in 2025, so this is to cure the grey areas that we overlooked,” he said.

Mr Davies said the amendments were important because of their implications for the party’s organisational structure.

“It is imperative that these amendments are carried through because of the ramifications they have for our party’s organisational structure,” he said.

Flagbearer becomes party leader

One of the major amendments changes the designation of the NPP’s leader.

At the party’s January 31, 2026 conference, the NPP introduced a clause stating that the National Chairman would be the leader of the party at all material times.

The approved amendment reverses that position.

Under the new provision, when the party has an elected presidential candidate, the presidential candidate shall be the leader of the party.

It also provides that when the party is in government, the President shall be the leader of the party until a presidential candidate is elected.

Changes to Vice Chairperson positions

Delegates also approved changes to the election of National Vice Chairpersons.

Under the previous arrangement, all candidates contested the position of National First Vice Chairman, with the first, second and third Vice Chairpersons determined according to the order of votes received.

The new arrangement creates separate elective positions for the First, Second and Third National Vice-Chairpersons.

Candidates will now have to specify the particular position they intend to contest when filing their nominations.

Delegates also approved the appointment of three additional National Vice-Chairpersons, bringing the total number to six.

Three will be elected and three appointed.

The appointed Vice-Chairpersons will not be eligible to succeed to the position of National Chairman.

Other amendments

The 14 approved amendments are:

1. National Disciplinary Committee: Representation of the National Council of Elders will increase from one to two members.

2. Constituency Vice Chairperson: One additional Constituency Vice Chairperson will be appointed to the Constituency Executive Committee.

3. IT officers: Regional and Constituency Information Technology Officers will become members of their respective executive committees.

4. Deputy Communications Officers: Deputy Regional Communications Officers and Deputy Constituency Communications Officers will be appointed as members of their respective executive committees.

5. Regional Vice Chairpersons: Two additional Regional Vice Chairpersons will be appointed to the Regional Executive Committee.

6. Regional Council of Elders: Chairpersons of the Regional Council of Elders will have voting rights at the National Delegates Conference.

7. Regional Patrons: Chairpersons of the Regional Patrons will also have voting rights at the National Delegates Conference.

8. Administrative Manual: The National Council will be required to provide an Administrative Manual detailing the duties, responsibilities and functions of elected and non-elected party officers at all levels.

9. Presidential campaign structure: The Presidential Candidate, in consultation with the National Executive Committee, will develop the campaign structure and appoint the Chairperson and members of the National Campaign Advisory Committee, subject to approval by the National Council.

10. Party leadership: The elected Presidential Candidate will be the leader of the party, while the President will remain leader when the party is in government until a new Presidential Candidate is elected.

11. Additional National Vice-Chairpersons: Three additional National Vice-Chairpersons will be appointed, bringing the total to six.

12. Separate Vice-Chairperson elections: The First, Second and Third National Vice-Chairperson positions will be contested separately.

13. National Steering Committee: The position of President will be reinstated as a member of the National Steering Committee when the party is in government.

14. Women’s Wing: The Women’s Wing will be mandated to promote increased participation of women in Ghana’s political system in accordance with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).

Delegates proceed to national elections

The NPP’s National Delegates Conference is being held in two main stages: consideration of constitutional amendments and the election of new national officers.

A total of 7,163 delegates from all 16 regions are participating in the conference.

Voting is taking place across 31 polling stations for nine national executive positions, with the Electoral Commission supervising the elections and verifying delegates.

Following the approval of the constitutional amendments, delegates have proceeded to vote in the national executive elections, with results expected later on Saturday.