The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has approved 14 constitutional amendments at its National Delegates Conference, including changes that place the elected presidential candidate at the centre of the party’s political leadership. The amendments were presented by the Chairman of the NPP Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Frank Davies, who led delegates through the motions at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
The most significant leadership change came under Motion 10, which amends Articles 10(4)(1) and 13 to clarify who leads the party at different stages of its political cycle. Under the approved provision, the elected presidential candidate becomes the leader of the party, while the President remains party leader when the NPP is in government and no presidential candidate has yet been elected.
Frank Davies explained that the amendment was intended to establish a clear succession of political leadership and remove possible uncertainty over the party’s political authority. The proposal therefore distinguishes the leadership role of an elected presidential candidate from that of a sitting President when the party controls government.
“The presidential candidate leads where one has been elected; the President leads where the party is in government but has no presidential candidate.”
Frank Davies
Meanwhile, Motion 9 gives the presidential candidate a defined role in shaping the campaign structure for the presidential election. The candidate, in consultation with the National Executive Committee and subject to National Council approval, will develop the campaign structure and appoint the chairperson and other members of the National Campaign Advisory Committee.
The conference also approved Motion 11 to expand the number of National Vice Chairpersons from three elected officers to six, with three additional positions to be appointed. The appointed Vice Chairpersons will not qualify for succession to the National Chairmanship, while the proposal also seeks wider geographical, ethnic, religious and gender representation within the national leadership.
Motion 12 further changes how the First, Second and Third National Vice Chairpersons are elected. Instead of candidates contesting within a general pool, each position will become a separate elective office, requiring aspirants to specify the particular position they seek.
Additionally, Motion 13 reinstates the President as a member of the National Steering Committee when the party is in government. The change is intended to strengthen coordination between the party and government on political and governance matters.
The final amendment, Motion 14, assigns the Women’s Wing responsibility for promoting women’s participation in politics in line with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024. Frank Davies subsequently declared all 14 motions duly carried after delegates voted overwhelmingly in their favour.
NPP Expands Executive Roles With New Constitutional Amendments
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) also introduced additional leadership positions while formally incorporating technology and communication roles into the executive structure.
The first amendment increases representation of the National Council of Elders on the National Disciplinary Committee from one member to two. According to the committee’s justification, the change is intended to bring additional experience and institutional knowledge into disciplinary proceedings while strengthening confidence in the process.
Motion 2 also expands the Constituency Executive Committee by providing for one additional Constituency Vice Chairperson. The committee explained that the additional position would broaden leadership participation and improve the distribution of responsibilities at the constituency level.
Technology receives a formal place in the party’s organisational structure under Motion 3. The amendment provides for Regional Information Technology Officers and Constituency Information Technology Officers to become members of their respective executive committees.
The change recognises the growing role of information, data and digital systems in party administration and electoral activities. It is also intended to strengthen data management, information security and digital coordination while giving the officers the institutional authority to perform their functions.
“Their inclusion will strengthen data management, digital coordination, accountability, and information security, while providing the necessary authority, independence, and institutional protection for them to effectively discharge their technical responsibilities.”
Frank Davies
Alongside the technology reforms, Motion 4 establishes Deputy Regional Communications Officers and Deputy Constituency Communications Officers as members of their respective executive committees. The amendment responds to the expansion of the party’s communications network and the increased coordination required among communicators across different levels.
The committee explained that the deputy positions would support the substantive Communications Officers and help manage the growing demands of political communication. The change also follows the transition of Regional and Constituency Communications Officers from appointive to elected positions, bringing their structure closer to other elected offices that have deputies.
The amendments were presented within a limited constitutional exercise after the committee received more than 100 proposals from party members and identifiable groups. Frank Davies explained that the proposals were reviewed and categorised before a smaller number of substantive motions were prepared for consideration because the 2026 conference was primarily focused on the election of national officers.
According to the committee, the proposals were submitted following an invitation issued by the General Secretariat on July 8, 2026. The exercise therefore sought to address specific organisational needs without reopening the comprehensive constitutional amendments completed in 2025.
NPP Gives Regional Executives More Leadership and Voting Roles
Motion 5 provides for two additional Regional Vice Chairpersons on each Regional Executive Committee. The committee explained that the expansion would increase leadership participation, improve the distribution of responsibilities and strengthen coordination at the regional level.
The move follows the party’s decision to create an additional Constituency Vice Chairperson under an earlier motion. At the regional level, however, the change provides two additional positions, giving the executive structure greater capacity to share administrative and organisational responsibilities.
The conference also approved Motion 6, which grants voting rights at the National Delegates Conference to Chairpersons of Regional Councils of Elders. The committee identified an existing representation issue because these chairpersons already sit on Regional Steering Committees alongside members who have voting rights.
Motion 7 similarly extends voting rights to Chairpersons of Regional Patrons at the National Delegates Conference. The justification presented to delegates linked the change to the contribution of patrons to the party’s growth and financial sustenance, arguing that voting rights would strengthen their participation in party decision-making.
The eighth amendment moves the party towards a more structured administrative framework for its officers. Under Motion 8, the National Council will be required to provide an administrative manual detailing the duties, responsibilities and functions of elected and non-elected officers across the party.
The committee indicated that the manual would establish clearer boundaries for officers and provide guidance on the performance of their responsibilities. It is also expected to reduce duplication and conflicts over functions while strengthening accountability throughout the party’s organisational hierarchy.
Frank Davies said the committee had carefully examined the proposals before presenting the motions for consideration. He explained that the process involved receiving submissions from party members and identifiable groups, categorising them under relevant constitutional provisions and preparing recommendations to guide delegates.
The amendment exercise was also designed as a limited review because the party had completed a comprehensive constitutional amendment process in 2025. Consequently, the committee recommended that only substantive proposals considered necessary for the current organisational context should be presented to the conference.
The NPP subsequently approved all 14 motions presented for consideration, with Davies formally declaring the entire set of amendments carried after delegates voted on the proposals.
READ ALSO: NPP Must Rebuild in Opposition, Rise Again — NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman
