NPP Internal Strain: 134 Former MMDCEs Demand Unpaid Benefits as National Executive Elections Approach

As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares for its national executive elections on October 3, 2026, the party is facing significant internal pressure from its former local government appointees. A group of 134 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who served under former President Nana Akufo-Addo has formally petitioned the Ministry of Finance for the payment of overdue terminal benefits. These officials, who remained in office until October 2021 at the request of the previous administration, claim they were unfairly excluded from payments that their successors have already received. The petition is directed to the current Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, seeking a resolution to what the group describes as a glaring oversight. This financial grievance highlights the administrative challenges lingering from the transition to the current government led by President John Mahama. Parallel to these administrative disputes, the race for national leadership positions is intensifying. Archibald Gamor Korletey, a candidate for the National Organiser position, has dismissed recent polling data that suggests he is not among the leading contenders. Korletey, who is currently ranked third on the ballot, argued that internal party dynamics and delegate preferences are too fluid for polls to accurately predict the outcome in Kumasi. He emphasized that the final decision rests solely with the delegates present on election day and expressed confidence that his grassroots-focused campaign would resonate with the voters despite pre-election rankings. Looking toward the 2028 general elections, Korletey suggested that public frustration over the rising cost of living and the financial burden of education could provide the NPP with a path back to power. He specifically criticized aspects of the Free Senior High School policy, noting that families still face significant out-of-pocket expenses. This strategic focus on economic hardship is being complemented by efforts to secure support from the party's international branches. Yakubu Alhassan, the NPP Canada Branch organiser known as BigMo, has publicly endorsed Justin Kodua Frimpong (JFK) for a leadership role, citing JFK's consistent engagement with the diaspora and his commitment to addressing the concerns of party members living outside Ghana. These developments collectively underscore a party in the midst of a critical organizational and strategic reset as it navigates its role in opposition.