NPP National Officers Election Set for Kumasi in October 2026

More than 7,000 New Patriotic Party delegates will gather at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on October 3, 2026, to elect nine national officers. This conference marks one of the most consequential internal gatherings for the party since it returned to opposition after the 2024 election loss. Seven thousand one hundred and sixty three delegates are expected, with Ashanti contributing 1,122 delegates – the largest regional bloc. Forty five aspirants will contest nine positions across 31 polling stations. Voting will occur through different electoral colleges, including separate votes for Youth Organiser, Women’s Organiser and NASARA Organiser. The election follows a period of intense party rebuilding after the NPP lost power in December 2024. A major shift began when the party established an 11 member Election Review Committee chaired by Rev. Prof. Mike Oquaye after its defeat. The committee’s report led to 54 constitutional reforms approved at the July 2025 National Delegates Conference. Among the changes debated in Kumasi is whether the flagbearer should become the party’s formal leader, potentially shifting authority from the National Chairman to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s presidential candidate. Bawumia was elected flagbearer on January 31, 2026, with 110,643 votes from 195,901 valid votes cast. This gives him a direct mandate before the officer elections. Four candidates are contesting the chairmanship: John Boadu, Paul Afoko, Sammy Crabbe and another contender. Boadu seeks a return after losing the 2022 General Secretary race to Justin Kodua Frimpong. Afoko, who served as National Chairman from 2014 to 2015, was suspended after a disciplinary process and later had his court challenge rejected. He now asks delegates to restore him to the position. The party’s history in Ashanti shows a clear decline. In 2020, the NPP secured 1,795,824 votes in the region, which fell to 1,366,800 in 2024 – a drop of 429,000 votes. Turnout also decreased from 82.9 percent to 64.8 percent. While the NPP still won Ashanti, the margin narrowed significantly compared to previous elections. This decline raised concerns about the party’s traditional stronghold. The reforms under discussion could reshape how the party operates ahead of the 2028 elections. Delegates will decide not only who leads the party but also the formal powers attached to the chairmanship role. The outcome will influence how the party structures its campaign and engages with voters. The upcoming conference therefore represents a critical moment for the NPP as it rebuilds its strategy and seeks to regain momentum lost in 2024.