The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reshaped its leadership as it looks ahead to the 2028 general election. At its National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, the party approved a constitutional change making Dr Mahamudu Bawumia its leader and elected a new team of national executives, with John Boadu returning as national chairman.
The conference took place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, according to YEN.com.gh and MyJoyOnline. More than 7,000 delegates took part.
Delegates approved 14 amendments to the party's constitution, YEN.com.gh reports. The most significant makes the party's elected presidential candidate its leader. Dr Bawumia, the former Vice President, won the party's presidential primary in January 2026.
The change reverses a provision adopted earlier this year that had given leadership of the party to the national chairman. Frank Davies, chairman of the party's Constitution Amendment Committee, said the revisions "were necessary to close gaps that had surfaced following the party's previous constitutional review," according to YEN.com.gh.
Other amendments include three additional national vice-chairperson positions, revised procedures for electing vice-chairpersons, new deputy communications roles and the elevation of IT officers to executive positions.
John Boadu, a former general secretary of the party, won the chairmanship race with 2,888 votes, according to MyJoyOnline. Boakye Agyarko came second with 2,048 votes, and Paul Afoko polled 490. Sammy Crabbe withdrew and endorsed Boadu.
Justin Frimpong Kodua was elected general secretary with 4,486 votes, YEN.com.gh reports.
YEN.com.gh published the full list of winners:
Several of the winners are familiar faces. John Boadu previously served as the party's general secretary while it was in government, and Justin Frimpong Kodua held on to the general secretary role he has occupied since 2022. Mavis Hawa Koomson, the new national women's organiser, is a former Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Addressing delegates after the elections, Dr Bawumia urged the party to unite. "Winning the 2028 election won't be easy; we must work harder," he said, according to YEN.com.gh.
He also reached out to candidates who lost. "You'll be part of the 2028 campaign. There's enough work for all of us," he said. He called on members to put internal competition behind them and focus on grassroots mobilisation and reconnecting with supporters.
The day was marred by a stampede at the stadium. YEN.com.gh reports that at least three people were injured when some people tried to force their way through crowded sections. One person suffered a fracture, while others had minor injuries. More serious cases were taken to Kumasi South Hospital, and police stepped up crowd control.
The NPP lost the 2024 general election to the National Democratic Congress, ending its eight years in government. Since then, the party has been working through internal reviews and reorganisation as it prepares to return to power.
Naming Dr Bawumia as leader settles the question of who speaks for the party, while the new executives will be responsible for rebuilding its structures across the country. How well they unite the different camps after a competitive set of internal elections will be an early test.
Talk Talk will continue to follow developments as Ghana's main parties prepare for 2028.
