NPP makes flagbearer party leader when in opposition, president leader when in government

The People’s National Convention (PNC) has expressed concerns to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against altering the party’s constitution to designate the presidential candidate as the automatic leader of the party during opposition periods. The PNC, which delivered a solidarity message at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on October 3, emphasized that such an arrangement could undermine the NPP’s internal democracy and hinder the emergence of fresh leadership.

The organization conveyed its concerns as a friend of the party, rather than an attempt to meddle in its internal matters. Reports suggest that the conference might vote on a proposal to amend the party’s constitution to make the flagbearer the party leader even when the party is not in power. The PNC urged the NPP delegates to carefully evaluate the proposal, pointing out that the duties of a presidential candidate and party leader are distinct.

While a flagbearer represents the party during elections, a party leader is responsible for building structures, reconciling factions, and maintaining party accountability between elections. By merging these roles, the PNC warned that it could compromise the party’s internal democracy and the prospect of new leadership emerging.

The PNC’s stance on this issue is offered in the spirit of political fraternity, not interference. It is among several constitutional changes that NPP delegates are deliberating upon at the conference. Ultimately, it is the party’s Constitutional Amendment Committee that will decide on the proposals, including the one related to party leadership.

In addition to the constitutional matter, the PNC also called for improved responsibility in Ghana’s political discourse, urging political parties to refrain from insults, provocative comments, and divisive language that could fracture the nation. The PNC urged the NPP, National Democratic Congress (NDC), and other political parties to tackle what it described as the growing moral decay in political discourse.

The organization also encouraged the NPP to select competent leaders who could effectively manage the party and contribute to the strengthening of Ghana’s democracy. The PNC positioned itself as an alternative to the NPP and NDC, expressing confidence that Ghanaians would support it in the 2028 general election.