NPP amends constitution, approves three additional Vice Chairperson positions

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has amended its constitution to create three additional National Vice Chairperson positions, increasing the total number from three to six.

According to the NPP, the new structure will provide for three elected National Vice Chairpersons and three appointed by the party.

The appointed vice chairpersons, however, will not be eligible to succeed the National Chairman.

The party says the expansion is intended to “ease the workload of the National Chairman, improve regional mobilisation and promote geographical, ethnic, religious and gender balance in the party’s leadership.”

The amendment also separates the election of the three elected positions. The First, Second and Third National Vice Chairpersons will each be contested independently, with aspirants required to indicate the specific office they are seeking at the nomination stage.

The constitutional changes were approved at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi as part of 14 amendments aimed at strengthening the party’s “internal structures, leadership, administration and electoral preparedness.”

The proposals were presented by the Constitutional Amendments Committee and adopted through voice votes.

The reforms also increase the National Council of Elders’ representation on the National Disciplinary Committee from one to two members.

The party says the change will bring “greater experience, wisdom and institutional perspective” to disciplinary proceedings while promoting “balance, fairness and confidence” in its disciplinary processes.

Another amendment reinstates the President, when the NPP is in government, as a member of the National Steering Committee.

The party says this is to “facilitate coordination between the party and government and enable timely consultation on political and governance matters.”

The Women’s Wing has also been given responsibility to “promote, monitor and support increased participation of women in the party and political leadership” in line with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).