Politics
Elections Watch Ghana Raises Concerns Over Cost, Gender Balance in NPP Delegates’ Election
Elections Watch Ghana has congratulated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the successful conduct of its delegates’ election but has raised concerns over the cost of internal party elections, security deployment, women’s representation and the growing influence of money in determining electoral outcomes.
In its report on the NPP delegates’ election in October 2026, Elections Watch Ghana described the exercise as an important component of Ghana’s democratic process and said it demonstrated the party’s continued commitment to internal democracy, participation and the strengthening of political institutions.
The organisation congratulated all successful candidates and urged them to approach their new responsibilities with integrity, inclusiveness and accountability.
According to the report, elected executives have a responsibility not only to serve the interests of the NPP but also to contribute positively to the development and consolidation of Ghana’s democracy.
Elections Watch Ghana commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for what it described as the professional management of the electoral process.
It noted that the apparent reduction of errors to a minimum was encouraging and demonstrated the importance of continued investment in efficient electoral administration, adequate preparation and proper procedures.
The security agencies were also praised for maintaining peace and order throughout the exercise.
However, the organisation expressed concern about the deployment of more than 3,000 police officers for what was an internal party election.
While acknowledging that election security remains important, Elections Watch Ghana questioned the long-term sustainability and cost of deploying such a large number of police personnel for a single internal party contest.
It called for continuous assessment and refinement of security arrangements to ensure that they remain proportionate, efficient and sustainable.
The organisation further called for greater emphasis on election-related education for citizens, delegates, candidates and other stakeholders.
It also urged authorities to strengthen specialised electoral monitoring and election-security training for security personnel so that officers assigned to electoral duties would better understand the specific requirements of democratic elections.
Another major concern highlighted in the report was the representation of women in the NPP’s leadership.
Elections Watch Ghana noted that only one woman was among the elected executives, raising concerns about the level of women’s representation in political leadership.
The organisation said if Ghana is to achieve meaningful inclusion in political governance, deliberate efforts must be made to create greater opportunities for women to participate in decision-making at all levels.
It therefore encouraged the NPP to consider gender balance and inclusiveness in future appointments and leadership opportunities.
Elections Watch Ghana stressed that greater representation of women should not be viewed merely as a numbers game but as an essential part of building a political system that reflects the diversity, experiences and aspirations of Ghanaians.
The report also raised concerns about the increasing cost of internal party elections.
According to Elections Watch Ghana, expenses relating to transportation, feeding, accommodation and other logistical arrangements can place significant financial pressure on candidates.
It warned that such financial burdens could create an environment where a candidate’s financial capacity becomes an important factor in determining electoral success.
The organisation proposed that political parties consider mechanisms through which the basic logistical needs of accredited delegates could be centrally organised and financed by the party.
This, it said, would prevent individual aspirants from having to shoulder the cost of transporting, feeding or accommodating delegates.
Elections Watch Ghana believes such reforms could help create a more level playing field and reduce the influence of money in internal party contests.
The report further expressed concern over what it described as an increasing emphasis on candidates perceived to be politically aggressive, influential or financially capable.
It argued that greater attention should instead be given to candidates who present clear and innovative ideas for advancing the party and the country.
According to Elections Watch Ghana, political leadership should ultimately be based on vision, competence, character, service and the ability to develop and implement policies that improve the lives of citizens.
The organisation therefore urged delegates to look beyond popularity, personal influence, political connections and financial strength when choosing leaders.
It called on delegates to carefully assess the ideas, proposals, track records, integrity, leadership abilities and commitment of candidates before voting.
It warned that the quality of leadership produced through internal party elections can have consequences extending beyond the political party itself.
Elections Watch Ghana said the NPP delegates’ election serves as a reminder that the strength of Ghana’s democracy depends not only on national elections but also on the quality of democracy practised within political parties.
The organisation commended the NPP, the Electoral Commission, security agencies, candidates, delegates and other stakeholders who contributed to the peaceful conduct of the election.
At the same time, it said the exercise presented an opportunity to reflect on areas requiring improvement, particularly the cost of internal elections, the influence of money, gender representation, electoral education, security arrangements, and the need to place ideas and competence at the centre of political leadership selection.
Elections Watch Ghana concluded that responsibility for building a better political system rests with all stakeholders, stressing that every delegate has the power to influence the direction of a political party and, by extension, the future of the country.
Politics
LOUIS APPIAH APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AND PROGRAMMES FOR NPP NATIONAL YOUTH WING
Louis Appiah, popularly known as Commander OD4, has been appointed Director of Events and Programmes for the National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), bringing his years of experience in student leadership, grassroots mobilisation and party organisation to the national level.
The appointment, reported on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, is expected to see him play a key role in coordinating activities, organising programmes and supporting the mobilisation efforts of the party’s youth wing.
Appiah has built his political career through various leadership positions, beginning with student politics at Koforidua Technical University (KTU), where he served as Finance Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). He later became Eastern Regional SRC President and National Director of Finance for the University of Cape Coast’s Distance Education Students’ Association of Ghana (DESAG-UCC).
Within the NPP, he served as President of the Tertiary Students Confederacy Network (TESCON) at KTU during the 2011/2012 academic year before taking up roles at the polling station and constituency levels.
From 2018 to 2022, Appiah served as New Juaben South Constituency Youth Organiser, where he was involved in grassroots organisation and mobilisation. He also served as Director of Operations for the NPP during the 2020 general elections and reportedly held a deputy campaign coordination role in the constituency ahead of the 2024 elections.
His experience in party communication also forms part of his background, having been active in the NPP Communication Wing since 2011.
The new appointment comes as the NPP’s national leadership prepares to strengthen party structures and organise its activities ahead of the 2028 general elections.
As Director of Events and Programmes, Appiah is expected to contribute to the planning and coordination of youth-wing activities, although the full details of his official mandate have not been publicly outlined in the reports reviewed.
His appointment adds another responsibility to a political journey spanning student leadership, constituency organisation and national campaign activities.
Politics
ADEHYE FM MORNING SHOW HOST FILES FOR NDC ASHANTI REGIONAL DEPUTY SECRETARY POSITION
Popular broadcaster Prince Ofori Atta, host of Adehye FM’s morning show, has officially filed his nomination to contest for the position of Deputy Ashanti Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), outlining his ambition to strengthen the party’s structures ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Mr Ofori Atta filed his nomination forms at the NDC’s regional party headquarters on Thursday, October 15, 2026, formally advancing his bid for the influential regional executive position.
Campaigning under the banner “POA2026,” the journalist says his ambition is driven by the need to improve party administration, strengthen communication and reconnect the regional leadership with grassroots members.
Speaking after filing his forms, Mr Ofori Atta urged party delegates to prioritise competence, experience and leadership ability when choosing their next Deputy Regional Secretary.
He also cautioned against allowing financial inducements to dominate the internal electoral process, arguing that the party’s organisational strength and readiness for future elections should take precedence over monetary considerations.
His campaign is built around the themes “Service Above All” and “Changing the Narratives,” with proposed priorities including improved political education, greater youth participation and more effective communication between regional executives and constituency officers.
If elected, he says he intends to help establish a more proactive regional secretariat capable of supporting constituency and branch executives, coordinating party activities and improving the flow of information throughout the region.
The Deputy Regional Secretary position is an important administrative role within the party’s regional structure, supporting the Regional Secretary in coordinating activities and implementing decisions.
Ofori Atta’s entry adds a media personality to the contest as the NDC prepares to select regional executives who will help manage its organisation and mobilisation in the Ashanti Region.
With the 2028 general elections on the horizon, the race is expected to focus on candidates’ ability to strengthen grassroots engagement, promote unity and improve internal party coordination.
Politics
NPP REJECTS EMELIA AGBENYO’S EC APPOINTMENT, DEMANDS MAHAMA WITHDRAW NOMINATION
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mounted a strong objection to President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), demanding that the President withdraw the appointment over concerns about her political neutrality.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and signed by its National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the NPP argued that Ms Agbenyo’s previous involvement in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) raises questions about her ability to discharge her duties impartially at the electoral management body.
The party cited her reported role as the NDC’s governance sector spokesperson during the preparation of its 2024 manifesto, as well as her alleged participation in campaign rallies and activities ahead of the 2024 general elections.
According to the NPP, appointing someone with such a political background to the leadership of an institution responsible for organising elections could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, particularly as the country approaches the 2028 general elections.
The party also accused President Mahama of contradicting his earlier position on political appointments to the Electoral Commission. It recalled that in March 2023, he reportedly criticised the appointment of individuals he described as party activists to the Commission and advocated an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval for such appointments.
The NPP has consequently called on the President to withdraw Ms Agbenyo’s appointment and urged the Council of State to explain the advice it provided regarding the decision.
The party further wants the ongoing constitutional review process to address the appointment of Electoral Commission members, arguing that reforms are necessary to strengthen confidence in the institution’s independence.
However, the concerns raised by the NPP represent the party’s position and do not, by themselves, establish that Ms Agbenyo would perform her duties with political bias.
Ms Agbenyo was sworn into office on October 12 alongside Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah. President Mahama urged both appointees to perform their constitutional responsibilities independently and impartially, without favouring any political party or candidate.
Politics
NPP HALTS CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES: Parliamentary Aspirants Face Disciplinary Action Over Early Campaigning
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all prospective parliamentary aspirants to immediately cease campaign activities, warning that violators could face disciplinary sanctions, including consequences for their eligibility to contest.
In a statement dated October 11, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said it had received numerous complaints about members seeking parliamentary positions who had begun campaigning in various constituencies ahead of the official timetable.
According to the statement, the activities contravene the party’s regulations and Code of Conduct, creating an uneven playing field and threatening the unity and discipline required for the party’s success.
The directive takes immediate effect and covers all prospective parliamentary aspirants, their agents and supporters. They have been ordered to suspend every form of campaign activity until further notice.
Among the prohibited activities are mounting posters, billboards, banners and other branded materials; organising rallies, polling station executives’ meetings or constituency tours to solicit support; distributing items or inducements to delegates and party members; and running paid media or social media advertisements promoting a candidature.
The party has also warned its officers at polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national levels, as well as the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), against promoting prospective aspirants on social media or facilitating premature campaign activities.
The statement cautioned that anyone who fails to comply would be dealt with under the party’s disciplinary procedures, with possible implications for their eligibility to contest in the party’s parliamentary primaries.
Meanwhile, the NPP leadership said the timetable and guidelines for its parliamentary processes would be announced in due course. Constituency and regional executives have been tasked with ensuring strict compliance within their respective jurisdictions.
The directive signals the party leadership’s intention to maintain order in its internal electoral processes and prevent aspirants from gaining an early advantage before the official campaign period begins.
Politics
MAHAMA EMBARKS ON TWO-DAY AHAFO TOUR: PRESIDENT SETS SIGHTS ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER ‘RESETTING GHANA’ AGENDA
President John Dramani Mahama has begun a two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region as part of his nationwide ‘Resetting Ghana’ tour, with attention expected to focus on development priorities and engagement with local communities.
President John Dramani Mahama has commenced a two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region as part of his broader Resetting Ghana agenda, an initiative associated with his administration’s vision for national development and improved governance.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the President to engage with regional stakeholders, assess local development needs and discuss issues affecting residents and communities across the region.
The Ahafo tour also places the region’s development priorities in focus, particularly concerns relating to infrastructure, employment, healthcare, education and economic opportunities. However, the specific projects and policy issues scheduled for discussion during the visit have not been confirmed in the information provided.
As part of the working tour, attention will be on the President’s engagements with local authorities and other stakeholders, as well as any announcements or commitments that may emerge from the visit.
The Resetting Ghana agenda has been presented as a broader framework for addressing national challenges and improving the country’s development trajectory. The Ahafo visit offers another opportunity for the administration to engage with people at the regional level and hear concerns about local conditions and priorities.
Residents and other stakeholders will be watching closely for concrete outcomes from the engagements, including any commitments on development projects, public services and economic growth.
The central question is what tangible benefits the two-day visit will deliver for the people of Ahafo and how any commitments made will translate into action.
Further details on the President’s itinerary, scheduled meetings and specific announcements are needed to establish the full scope of the visit.
-
General News1 week agoWorld Cup Visa Storm: Kojo’s GTA Questions Resurface as Minority Demands Action
-
General News2 weeks agoSSNIT Unveils Big Plans to Transform Labadi, La Palm Beachfront into Tourism Hub
-
General News1 week agoPolitical communicators must prepare before speaking on teachers’ strike – Seth Afum Dankwah
-
Education2 weeks agoShould Schools Teach Students How to Handle Failure?
-
General News2 weeks agoUniversity of Ghana Announces Major Update on 2026/2027 Registration and Accommodation
-
General News2 weeks agoPolice Investigate Death of Three Children at Kobilmahigu; IGP Deploys Special Team
-
Politics1 week agoGeorge Krobea Asante Alleges Deliberate Delay in Voting Process
-
General News1 week agoUS Defense Department Cuts Ties With Anthropic Over AI Restrictions
