Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu Warns NPP Leadership Structure Could Cause Internal Conflict
Former Majority Leader says constitutional reforms are needed to prevent future leadership disputes within the NPP.
- Leadership review proposed ahead of the NPP delegates conference
- Conflict warning over the party's current leadership structure
- Constitutional reforms aim to strengthen party unity and grassroots operations
The Chief of Staff of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has cautioned that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could face internal divisions if it fails to review its constitutional provisions on party leadership.
His remarks come as the NPP prepares to consider proposed constitutional amendments aimed at clearly defining who should be recognised as the party’s leader.
Under the party’s current structure, the National Chairman is regarded as the leader whether the NPP is in government or in opposition. However, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu believes this arrangement could create friction, particularly if the National Chairman and the party’s presidential candidate emerge from opposing factions or support different interests.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, he said party members remain divided over whether the leadership position should be formally assigned or left undefined as it has traditionally been.
According to him, some members believe the presidential candidate should officially be recognised as the party’s leader, while others prefer maintaining the current practice, where the role is not explicitly stated in the party’s constitution.
He explained that disagreements could arise when the National Chairman and the presidential candidate do not share the same political alignment within the party.
“We’ve had situations where the person who became the chairman may not have had the person who eventually became the presidential candidate as his candidate. So if you have such a situation, it’s a recipe for confusion and conflict in the party,” he said.
He added that although the presidential candidate is generally regarded as the party’s de facto leader, the NPP must decide whether to formally recognise that position in its constitution.
The leadership proposal forms part of several constitutional amendments expected to be debated at the NPP National Delegates Conference on September 19, 2026, where delegates will also elect new national executives.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu further disclosed that another proposal seeks to expand the responsibilities of polling station executives by tasking them with promoting the party’s political, social, and economic programmes through door-to-door campaigns.
The reforms would also require polling station executives to register party members during outreach activities and establish reporting systems to improve the party’s knowledge of its grassroots membership.
He said the proposed changes are intended to strengthen the party’s structures and support its long-term growth.
The NPP has invited members to submit proposed constitutional amendments by July 17, 2026, ahead of the delegates’ conference, where the proposals will be discussed alongside the election of new national officers.
