It’s about time NPP restructures its electoral process – Kwabena Agyepong

A former presidential candidate and senior advisor to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the 2024 campaign,Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has called for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to focus its attention on presidential primaries before all other internal elections.

In a memorandum dated April 17, directed to the NPP’s Constitution Amendment Committee, led by Frank Davies, Agyepong proposed several constitutional changes aimed at improving internal unity and fairness within the party.

One of his primary recommendations was to remove Article 13(9) of the party’s constitution, which currently stipulates the use of a special electoral college to reduce the number of presidential candidates to five. Mr. Agyepong criticized the existing process, describing it as undemocratic and prone to manipulation. “The current structure of this special college—comprising fewer than one thousand (1,000) members—is susceptible to manipulation and undermines democratic fairness,” he said, emphasizing the need for a fairer and more open process for selecting presidential candidates.

Additionally, Mr. Agyepong called for the establishment of constituency caucuses in all 276 constituencies. These caucuses would include Members of Parliament, District and Municipal Chief Executives, Constituency Executives, Electoral Area Coordinators, Polling Station Executives, Patrons, and Elders. He described this initiative as “a limited enlargement of the electoral college, ensuring broader consultation and representation in key decision-making processes.”

To further promote a more organized and less divisive electoral process, Agyepong recommended that the presidential primaries be held before any other internal elections. He argued that this would better align with Article 13(1) of the party’s current constitution and ensure a smoother electoral timeline. “This approach promotes a more logical and less contentious electoral timeline,” he noted.

These proposed reforms come as the NPP prepares for internal restructuring in anticipation of the 2028 general elections.