NPP and NDC Intensify Internal Reorganizations Ahead of 2026 National Executive Elections and 2028 General Polls

The Ghanaian political landscape is witnessing a surge in activity as both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepare for critical internal elections. For the NPP, the 2026 National Executive Elections have drawn high-profile candidates, including former Information Minister Nana Akomea, who has officially filed his nomination for the First Vice Chairman position. Akomea, a veteran strategist and former MP for Okaikwei South, is among 13 aspirants vying for three vice-chairmanship slots. Meanwhile, Eugene Boakye Antwi has filed for the General Secretary position, pledging to restore discipline and accountability within the party. These internal races are seen as pivotal for the NPP as it reorganizes following its 2024 defeat, with various aspirants like National Youth Organiser hopeful Abanga Yakubu promising to mobilize four million youth votes for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2028 general elections.

A significant development in the NPP race is the withdrawal of Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, from the national chairmanship contest. Currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for mining rights violations, Antwi-Boasiako cited personal circumstances for his withdrawal. His legal troubles have intensified as the High Court in Accra recently ordered disclosures to proceed in a separate GH¢30 million fraud trial involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank after plea negotiations failed. With his exit, the chairmanship race remains a contest between Sammy Crabbe, Paul Afoko, and Boakye Agyarko, the latter of whom has emphasized an inclusive administration aimed at reuniting the party to "recapture" power in 2028. This call for unity is echoed by regional leaders like Alhaji Issa Issaka, who urged newly elected executives to engage veteran party members to leverage their experience for grassroots mobilization.

The NDC is also navigating its own internal transitions as it seeks to consolidate the legacy of President John Mahama, who was inaugurated on January 7, 2025. Former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Akwasi Opong-Fosu has announced his bid for the NDC National Chairmanship, challenging the incumbent Johnson Asiedu Nketiah. Opong-Fosu’s campaign, anchored on the pillars of "Restoration, Renewal, and Resetting," aims to strengthen the bond between party leadership and grassroots members. Other notable NDC developments include the candidacy of Nii Armah Ashietey for the chairmanship and Abraham Azuman Lambon, a Technical Aide to President Mahama, for the Deputy National Organizer position. At the constituency level, Alberta Sunu is seeking to become the first female chairperson of the NDC in Weija-Gbawe, promising to end a 24-year parliamentary drought in the area.

As both parties head toward their respective national congresses—the NPP in October 2026 and the NDC on December 19, 2026—the emphasis remains on resource allocation and strategic mobilization. Efforts to equip the grassroots are already underway, evidenced by MP Samuel Abu Jinapor’s donation of 100 motorbikes and a pickup vehicle to the Damongo constituency to enhance party operations. These internal elections represent more than just leadership changes; they are the foundation upon which both the NPP and NDC intend to build their strategies for the 2028 general elections. The outcomes will likely determine which party best manages its internal divisions and successfully taps into the energy of the youth and the experience of its veterans to sway an increasingly sophisticated electorate.