As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares to host its much-anticipated National Delegates Conference on July 19 in Accra, tensions are mounting within
As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares to host its much-anticipated National Delegates Conference on July 19 in Accra, tensions are mounting within the party over what some insiders describe as former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s attempt to hijack the event for political control.
According to credible sources within the party, Akufo-Addo—who is currently on a private visit to the United Kingdom—is allegedly working behind the scenes to force a postponement of the conference.
He is said to be lobbying influential figures within the NPP’s Council of Elders, many of whom are his long-time loyalists, to submit petitions to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) calling for the event’s rescheduling.
The official reason cited for this postponement request is the absence of prominent figures such as former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Akufo-Addo himself. Although Kufuor has reportedly agreed to participate in the conference virtually via Zoom, Akufo-Addo’s allies argue that both statesmen must be physically present for the meeting to proceed—an argument critics view as a mere smokescreen for deeper political motives.
Party insiders see these developments as part of a broader scheme by Akufo-Addo to maintain a firm grip on the party, even after leaving office.
“It’s about influence,” said Bright Asiedu, a constituency executive. “I honestly don’t know why President Akufo-Addo is doing this at this particular point in time when the party rather needs unity and inclusiveness to prosecute the 2028 agenda.”
The former President’s critics are questioning the timing of his overseas trip, noting that he left the country knowing the party was headed into one of its most critical organizational moments.
They argue that his absence—and the push for postponement—are deliberate tactics aimed at weakening internal opposition and buying time to consolidate influence over key party decisions.
Despite the growing unease, the NPP’s National Planning Committee, chaired by former Bekwai MP Joe Osei-Owusu, has confirmed that preparations for the July 19 conference are in full swing and that there are no indications the event will be postponed.
The special conference is expected to address critical matters, including party restructuring and strategy ahead of the August Akwatia by-election and the broader 2028 general election campaign.
Party grassroots members and regional executives have expressed frustration at what they see as an attempt to derail a crucial process.
Political observers say this episode is the latest in a string of internal power struggles within the NPP, with a faction calling for older leaders like Akufo-Addo and Kufuor to take a backseat to allow for generational renewal.
In December 2024, NPP stalwart Jonathan Okyere publicly called on both former Presidents to step aside to give room for younger voices in the party to emerge.
While the NEC is yet to make an official pronouncement on the petition, early indications suggest it is likely to be dismissed.
A growing majority within the party believe the push for a postponement lacks merit and threatens to further fracture an already divided political front.
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