Delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have approved all 14 proposed constitutional amendment motions at the party’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, paving the way for the election of new national executives.
The approval came despite an earlier proposal by Acting National Chairman Joseph Danquah Smith for the constitutional amendments to be deferred to the party’s next conference.
The amendments were considered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as the first major item on the congress agenda.
Mr Smith had argued that the exercise should be postponed because of time constraints. He also expressed concern that delegates might not have adequate time to study and consider the proposals while simultaneously taking part in the national executive elections.
Delegates, however, proceeded with the constitutional review and unanimously approved all 14 motions presented by the Constitution Amendment Committee.
Among the key changes is an amendment concerning who leads the party.
At the NPP’s January 31, 2026 conference, a clause was introduced stating that the National Chairman would be the leader of the party at all material times.
The latest amendment reverses that arrangement, making the party’s flagbearer the leader.
The conference also approved changes to the election of Vice Chairpersons.
Under the previous system, candidates contested the position of National First Vice Chairman, with the first, second and third Vice Chairpersons determined according to the number of votes obtained.
The new arrangement allows candidates to declare and contest specific Vice Chairperson positions.
Delegates further approved the appointment of three additional Vice Chairpersons who will not be elected.
Other approved changes include the creation of Deputy Communications Officer positions and the elevation of the IT Officer to an executive position.
Frank Davies, Chairman of the NPP Constitution Amendment Committee, explained that the changes were aimed at addressing gaps identified in the party’s organisational structure ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“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.
He stressed the importance of implementing the changes, given their potential implications for the party’s structure and operations.
“It is imperative that these amendments are carried through because of the ramifications they have for our party’s organisational structure,” he said.
The NPP National Delegates Conference is being conducted in two main phases: the consideration of constitutional amendments and the election of new national officers.
A total of 7,163 delegates from the 16 regions are taking part in the conference, with voting being conducted at 31 polling stations for nine national executive positions.
The Electoral Commission is supervising the elections and undertaking the verification of delegates.
With the constitutional amendments approved, attention has now shifted to the national executive elections, with results expected later today.
