The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has amended its constitution to change how its First, Second and Third National Vice Chairpersons are elected, introducing separate elections for each position.
The amendment to Article 10(5) means candidates will no longer compete in one general contest for the three vice-chairperson positions. Instead, aspirants will be required to declare the specific position they seek, with delegates voting separately for each office.
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Under the previous arrangement, all candidates contested the same election, with the three highest vote-getters becoming First, Second and Third Vice Chairpersons respectively. The new system effectively allows delegates to make a distinct choice for each leadership position.
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The constitutional changes also create three additional National Vice Chairperson positions, increasing the total number from three to six. Three will be elected, while three will be appointed, although the appointed vice-chairpersons will not be eligible to succeed the National Chairman.
The NPP says the expanded structure is intended to ease the workload of the National Chairman while improving regional mobilisation and promoting geographical, ethnic, religious and gender balance within the party’s leadership.
The amendments formed part of 14 constitutional changes approved at the party’s National Delegates Conference held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Other changes include provisions defining the party’s political leadership structure and strengthening the role of the presidential candidate and President depending on whether the party is in opposition or government.
The changes come as the NPP reorganises its leadership following its national delegates conference and looks ahead to the next electoral cycle. The separate vice-chairperson contests could also alter how aspirants position themselves politically, as candidates will now campaign directly for clearly defined offices rather than competing within a single pool.
With the amendment now approved, future NPP delegates will have a more direct role in determining who occupies each of the party’s three elected national vice-chairperson positions.
