The writer
By: Prince Adjei – Guy Gee
There are indications that the two former Presidents, Kufuor and Akufo-Addo, have called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to postponement the Congress scheduled for July 19, 2025. It is worth noting that this appeal is underpinned by the need for further engagements on proposed constitutional amendments and addressing some pertinent intra-Party matters.
In a recent development, former President Kufuor has bemoaned his exclusion from Party decisions that make him question whether his status as a Party member has been revoked.
In the spirit of rebuilding and curing apathy which has bedeviled the Party on the back of an approximately two (2) million voter loss during the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, it may be prudent for the National Executive Committee to build consensus in key decisions and ensure that same resonate with the grassroots of the Party.
If stalwarts and statesmen like Kufuor and Akufo-Addo are being sidelined, how will a dissenting opinion or the voices of the ordinary party member at the polling station be heard?
More concerns
Presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Attorney General, Joe Ghartey, has added his voice to growing calls for caution and constitutional compliance ahead of the party’s upcoming National Delegates Conference scheduled for July 18–20, 2025.
According to him, any failure by party leadership to adhere strictly to the provisions of the NPP’s internal rules—particularly on constitutional amendments—risks undermining the legitimacy of the conference and deepening grassroots alienation.
With barely days to the high-stakes event at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Mr. Ghartey expressed deep disappointment over what he described as a “flagrant disregard” for Article 18 of the party’s constitution—the very clause that dictates how proposed amendments should be handled.
CoConstitutional breach
Article 18 of the NPP Constitution clearly states that:
All proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the General Secretary at least two months before the National Delegates Conference; and
These proposals must be circulated to all Regional and Constituency Offices at least one month prior to the event.
Yet, as of July 13, there is no evidence of the proposed amendments—said to have originated from the Frank Davis Committee Report—having been officially disseminated across the party’s structures nationwide.
“This is deeply troubling,” Ghartey lamented in an interview. “If we, as a party that prides itself on rule of law and constitutionalism, cannot follow our own procedures, what message are we sending to our members and to the Ghanaian public?”
He added pointedly: “The constitution is not a formality—it is binding. We must respect it, especially at such a crucial juncture in our party’s journey.”
Implications
The 2025 Delegates Conference was initially envisioned as a platform to discuss critical reforms, including the long-awaited restructuring of the party’s electoral college—a move widely viewed as essential to strengthening internal democracy and restoring grassroots trust.
However, the apparent attempt to push through amendments without following laid-down procedures risks reducing the conference to a rubber-stamp affair, eroding confidence among delegates.
“This is not what internal democracy looks like,” one regional executive told reporters on condition of anonymity. “The base of the party is being sidelined, and it’s not right.”
There are concerns that delegates may be forced to vote on amendments they have neither seen nor understood—an act that critics have described as a “constitutional ambush.”
Selfishness?
The ongoing controversy underscores a troubling trend: the rise of parochial and self-serving interests over collective party unity and democratic principles. Joe Ghartey’s intervention, along with the concerns raised by former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo, is a loud reminder that selfish political maneuvering cannot and must not override the Party’s foundational ideals.
In times of crisis and rebuilding, selfishness becomes a dangerous saboteur. It alienates loyal members, stifles honest dissent, and creates a culture of fear rather than trust. If a few individuals insist on pushing personal agendas without due process, the party risks deepening internal divisions and extinguishing the hope of reconciliation and renewal.
The strength of the NPP has always been rooted in consensus, consultation, and adherence to its constitution. Disregarding these values for short-term political gain may win a moment—but it loses the movement.
In June 2025, the NPP established a nine-member Planning Committee to oversee preparations for the conference. However, per the party’s constitution, any amendment must receive endorsement from two-thirds of delegates present.
Without prior and proper circulation of the amendment proposals, any approval secured may lack not only legal validity but moral authority as well.
Integrity or Implosion
Joe Ghartey, known for his constitutionalist stance, issued a final rallying call to the Party’s leadership—particularly the General Secretary and the Planning Committee—to immediately suspend any attempt to push through amendments until all constitutional procedures have been followed.
“This is a turning point for our party,” he said. “Either we uphold the integrity of our processes or we risk internal discontent that could weaken us ahead of the 2026 elections.”
He urged all delegates and party members to rise in defense of the Party’s founding principles: “This is not just about rules—it’s about who we are as a political family. We cannot rebuild by sidelining our elders, bypassing our constitution, or silencing the grassroots.”
As the clock ticks toward July 19, the choice is clear: genuine unity or further fragmentation.
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