NPP National Delegates Conference: Over 7,000 Delegates to Elect New Officers in Kumasi Ahead of 2028 General Elections

Kumasi is prepared to host the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Delegates Conference on October 3, 2026, as the party seeks to finalize its internal reorganization ahead of the 2028 general elections. Over 7,100 delegates from across Ghana will gather at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to elect new national officers, following the party’s earlier selection of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as its flagbearer. The city is currently dominated by party colors, billboards, and posters, signaling a high-stakes atmosphere for the 47 aspirants contesting nine executive positions, including National Chairperson and General Secretary. The Electoral Commission has confirmed that all voting materials are ready for the supervised process, which is scheduled to begin at noon.

The race for the National Chairmanship has emerged as a focal point of the conference, with high-profile candidates including Awentami Paul Afoko, John Boadu, Sammy Crabbe, and Boakye Agyarko. Political scientist Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng has defended the inclusion of candidates like Afoko and Bawumia, arguing that competence and the ability to reconcile disgruntled party members should take precedence over regional backgrounds. Dr. Amakye-Boateng described Afoko as a potential "clean-break" leader who could unify the party’s structures. Meanwhile, the incumbent General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, is seeking to retain his position amidst a competitive field of aspirants aiming to strengthen the party's grassroots appeal.

To ensure public safety and order, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced extensive security measures, including temporary road closures and traffic diversions around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Affected routes include those from the Bridginia Traffic Lights to the Carvery Methodist Church and the Unity Oil Fuel Station. Superintendent Godwin Ahianyo and other police officials have warned that unauthorized vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed at the owners' expense. Only accredited vehicles and individuals will be allowed access to designated parking zones, with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) deployed to manage the expected influx of travelers and dignitaries.

The lead-up to the conference has also highlighted internal demands and progressive reforms. The NPP External Branches have issued a 90-day ultimatum to the Electoral Commission to provide a costed roadmap for the implementation of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act (ROPAA), ensuring voting rights for Ghanaians abroad by 2028. Additionally, the party has been praised by activists for constitutional amendments that reserve executive positions for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), a move expected to empower over 250 members at the congress. On the local level, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, MP for Effiduase-Asokore, donated an 18-seater bus to his constituency executives to bolster grassroots mobilization, emphasizing the party's focus on welfare and organizational strength.

Despite the preparations, the event has not been without controversy. Dr. Kerskin Opoku Owusu, the NPP's Ashanti Regional Communications Director, recently condemned the alleged destruction of aspirants' posters by political opponents, urging security agencies to intervene to prevent retaliatory actions. Furthermore, political debates have intensified outside the stadium; for instance, NPP Third National Vice Chairman Alhaji Osman Masawudu recently defended the railway development record of former President Nana Akufo-Addo's administration against public criticism. As the gavel prepares to fall in Kumasi, the outcome of these elections will likely define the NPP's strategic direction and unity as they challenge the current administration of President John Mahama in the next general election cycle.