NPP and NDC Intensify Internal Reorganisation as Leadership Bids and Grassroots Elections Shape 2028 Strategy

Ghana's two primary political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have accelerated their internal restructuring efforts as they pivot toward the 2028 general elections. High-profile endorsements and strategic shifts are defining the NPP's national leadership race, with former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam formally endorsing Awentami Paul Afoko for the position of National Chairman. Afoko’s campaign, built on a '3Rs Agenda'—Reuniting, Rebuilding, and Returning—aims to address internal divisions and empower the party’s grassroots. Simultaneously, Sylvester Tetteh, an aspiring General Secretary, has called for a 'stronger voice' within the party leadership, emphasizing the need for regional balance and organizational reform following the party’s performance in the 2024 elections. Tetteh recently met with flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to discuss strategies for reclaiming power, with Bawumia urging unity across all factions.

At the constituency level, the NPP is navigating a complex vetting process marked by both high participation and procedural disputes. In Gomoa Central, 26 aspirants have been cleared to contest 10 executive positions in elections scheduled for July 11, 2026. Former MP Ophelia Hayford Quansah, who chaired the vetting committee, warned candidates against the divisive tactics that contributed to previous electoral setbacks. However, the process has not been without friction; in the Nandom constituency, six petitioners have accused the party’s Appeals Committee of violating due process regarding the eligibility of Patrick Nakpenaa. Similarly, in Sunyani East, Maxwell Mahama has petitioned the Bono Regional Steering Committee to disqualify a committee chairman over an alleged conflict of interest, highlighting the ongoing tension between party integrity and internal competition.

The NDC is also witnessing significant activity at the branch and constituency levels, with leadership focusing on financial support and party cohesion. Michael Aidoo, the Western North Regional Chairman, recently made an unprecedented gesture by paying the nomination and filing fees for branch aspirants in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency, supplemented by a GH"30,000 donation to ensure a smooth electoral process. Despite this support, aspiring Vice Constituency Chairman Isaac Anyimah has warned that persistent factionalism remains a threat to the party’s future. Anyimah described internal infighting as 'electoral suicide' and urged a shift toward community-centered leadership and youth empowerment to ensure a disciplined front ahead of the next national polls.

Beyond the major parties, the political landscape is further complicated by the emergence of new groups and the spread of misinformation. The Base Ghana First, a recently formed political organization led by Malam Issah, was forced to hold a press conference in Kumasi to disown a viral social media announcement regarding a planned public walk. Issah clarified that the group had no such event scheduled and threatened legal action against rival entities using the organization’s name. As both the NPP and NDC continue their internal vetting and election cycles, the focus remains squarely on resolving local grievances and consolidating leadership to present a unified face to the Ghanaian electorate for the 2028 cycle.