Financial economist and academic, Dr Razak Kojo Opoku, has called for an amendment to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constitution to make the party’s presidential candidate the leader of the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.
According to Dr Opoku, the proposed constitutional change would clarify the leadership structure of the party and ensure that the person leading the NPP into a general election also serves as its formal leader.
He made the proposal ahead of the NPP’s National Annual Delegates Conference and National Officers Elections scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
In a statement shared on social media, Dr Opoku argued that the party should amend its constitution to establish the presidential candidate as the leader of the party whenever the NPP has a presidential candidate for a general election.
He specifically proposed that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is leading the party into the 2028 presidential election, should become the NPP’s leader ahead of the election.
“The NPP Constitution should be amended on 3rd October 2026 to make the Presidential Candidate the Leader of the Party,” Dr Opoku wrote.
Dr Opoku’s proposal envisages a leadership arrangement that would change depending on whether the NPP has a sitting President or a presidential candidate.
He said where the party has a presidential candidate preparing for a general election, that candidate should serve as the leader.
Where the NPP has a sitting President who is a member of the party, the President would continue to serve as party leader.
However, in the absence of both a presidential candidate and a sitting President from the party, Dr Opoku proposed that the National Chairman should assume the role of party leader.
“There is nothing wrong with making Dr. Bawumia the Leader of the Party ahead of the 2028 general election,” he stated.
He further argued that if Dr Bawumia wins the 2028 presidential election, he should continue as the leader of the party.
Conversely, should the NPP lose the 2028 presidential election, Dr Opoku proposed that the National Chairman should immediately assume the leadership of the party until a new presidential candidate is elected for the 2032 general election.
Under his proposal, the arrangement would therefore create a direct link between the party’s presidential leadership and its formal organisational leadership during election cycles.
Dr Opoku’s proposal comes as the NPP prepares to elect a new crop of national officers who will oversee the affairs of the party for the next four years.
The party’s National Annual Delegates Conference and National Officers Elections will bring together delegates from across the country for the selection of national executives and consideration of proposed changes to the party’s constitution.
The conference is also expected to set the organisational direction of the NPP as it begins preparations for the 2028 general elections.
The party’s National Organisers and Elections Committee (NOEC) has finalised and validated the album and register of delegates for the conference.
According to information available ahead of the elections, concerns raised by various aspirants regarding the register have been addressed using source records obtained from regional party structures and relevant institutions.
Dozens of cleared candidates are expected to contest various national executive positions, including National Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and General Secretary.
The elections are expected to determine the composition of the NPP’s national leadership as the party undertakes a reorganisation ahead of the next general election.
Beyond the election of national officers, delegates are expected to consider a number of proposed amendments to the NPP Constitution.
Among the proposals is an expansion of the number of national vice-chairpersons from three to six.
The proposed amendments also seek to redefine aspects of the party’s leadership structure, particularly the question of who should exercise overall leadership when the NPP is in opposition.
It is within this broader constitutional review that Dr Opoku has proposed making the presidential candidate the formal leader of the party.
His proposal, if adopted, would establish a leadership model in which the individual selected to lead the NPP’s presidential campaign would also have formal responsibility for leading the party during the election cycle.
The October 3 conference will therefore not only determine the party’s national officers but could also shape the NPP’s internal organisational structure and leadership arrangements ahead of the 2028 elections.
By 1960news.com
