NPP opens online portal for 2028 parliamentary aspirants

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has introduced a new administrative step for the 2028 general elections, requiring prospective parliamentary candidates to formally declare their interest via an online portal. General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong announced that the portal will be open from November 1 to November 10, 2026. This initial phase requires aspirants, including sitting Members of Parliament, to pay a non-refundable fee of GH₵5,000 as part of the party's effort to streamline its internal electoral processes and ensure candidates meet both constitutional and party-specific eligibility requirements.

Mr. Frimpong emphasized that this "Declaration of Intent" stage is strictly administrative and does not constitute the official opening of nominations. Consequently, the party has prohibited all forms of campaigning at this stage. The process is designed to conduct early eligibility checks against national laws and the NPP’s internal standards. By implementing this digital registration, the party aims to identify potential legal or constitutional hurdles for candidates before the formal vetting and nomination stages begin, thereby preventing last-minute disqualifications or legal challenges.

Following the declaration period, the NPP plans to hold capacity-building workshops and training sessions for stakeholders in December 2026. These sessions will be organized across three designated zones to prepare aspirants for the responsibilities of parliamentary service and to familiarize them with the party’s strategic objectives. The General Secretary noted that these reforms are based on lessons learned from the 2024 elections, aimed at fostering unity and discipline within the party ranks.

While the party frames the GH₵5,000 fee as a necessary step for administrative and training costs, the decision has sparked internal discussion regarding its impact on inclusivity. Some observers have raised concerns that the fee might create financial barriers for youth, women, and candidates with limited resources, potentially narrowing the field of aspirants. Despite these concerns, the NPP leadership maintains that the structured approach, which includes a zoning exercise and vetting, is essential for maintaining the party’s competitiveness ahead of the 2028 polls.