NPP’s decision to elect communicators will strengthen party structures – Dr Akonga

Dr. Samuel Akonga of the NPP communications team in the Upper East Region has welcomed the party’s decision to elect communication officers at all levels. He believes the move will enhance accountability and empower communicators to work more effectively.

He believes the move, which was approved at the party’s 2025 National Delegates Conference in Accra, will be a game changer that strengthens the autonomy, efficiency, and credibility of the NPP’s communication machinery.

Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday, July 25, Dr. Akonga welcomed the constitutional amendments—specifically Articles 7(5), 9(2), and 10(7)(3)—that transition the role of communication officer from an appointed post to an elected one, starting from the polling station to the national level.

“This is one of the boldest reforms the party has taken in years,” Dr. Akonga stated. “It gives autonomy to communication officers to act in the best interest of the party without fear of being micromanaged by chairpersons who appointed them.”

As a former Nabdam Constituency Communication Officer himself, he recalled instances where decisions that could have benefitted the party were blocked by executives simply because communication officers had no mandate of their own.

“When you’re appointed, you owe your allegiance to the person who gave you the job, not the grassroots. That limits your effectiveness. But once the role is elective, the accountability shifts to the delegates who put you there. That’s real power,” he said.

Dr. Akonga also pointed out that under the old system, performance was often compromised due to favoritism and lack of oversight.

“Some people were chosen not because they were the best, but because they were loyal to the executives. While some did a good job, others were just sleeping on the job,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that this and other reforms adopted at the conference—totaling 54 motions—will help build a more democratic and merit-based party structure that can better prepare the NPP for victory in 2028.

“If we’re serious about returning to power, we must be willing to restructure. Electing our communicators is a step in the right direction.”