As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) grows in stature and global reach, the time has come to re-examine our internal architecture and ask ourselves a vital question:
Are we truly representing all parts of our great party especially those beyond our borders, fairly and effectively?
Having served as a member of the three-person committee that developed the Diaspora Strategy Plan for Election 2024, and through years of active involvement in NPP UK and diaspora activities, I have witnessed firsthand the enormous contributions that our external branches bring to the table.
These insights, grounded in extensive research and practical experience, form the basis of a call for urgent and bold constitutional reforms, reforms that I respectfully urge the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Council (NC) to consider with the seriousness they deserve.
The Reality on the Ground: A Case for Structural Recognition
Branches like NPP UK, NPP USA, NPP Germany and other external branches are not mere overseas support groups.
They are highly organised, politically active regions in their own right. With over 20 functioning chapters, each equivalent to a constituency in Ghana, they mobilise voters, shape policy debates, host fundraising events, and maintain a strong grassroots presence. These chapters mirror the operational scale of our constituencies back home.
To put this into perspective:
- Ashanti Region has 47 constituencies, the highest in Ghana followed by Greater Accra, Eastern and Central Regions with 34, 33 and 23 constituencies respectively with the other regions having less than 20 constituencies.
- Ahafo, North East, Savannah, Oti, Western North, Bono East, Upper West, Bono Regions range between 6 to 12 constituencies.
- NPP UK, USA, Germany and others external branches operate over 20 chapters each, with strategic outreach and mobilisation spanning across their respective countries.
Yet, despite their comparable numbers and influence, external branches are allocated only 12 delegates each in party elections, while every Ghanaian constituency commands 17 delegates.
This numerical disparity leaves a yawning gap in representation that undermines the foundational principle of democracy within our party.
The Missing Voices: Youth, Women, and NASARA
The issue of underrepresentation is even more pronounced when we look at how our party wings are involved in selecting national leadership:
- Only the Branch Youth Organiser and a deputy are included as voting delegates for the National Youth Organiser.
- The same applies for the Women’s Wing and NASARA, with no voting power given to Chapter Organisers.
This marginalisation of grassroots leaders, those doing the everyday work of the party is a missed opportunity for real, ground-up participation. It’s time to fix that.
Proposals for Change: Building a More Inclusive and Democratic NPP
- Formal Recognition of External Branches as Regional Equivalents:
The party constitution must formally acknowledge external branches as full regional bodies. This includes their right to contribute to policy development, strategic planning, and voting in all internal elections. - Recognition of Chapters as Constituencies:
Each chapter within a branch should be treated as a constituency, with corresponding privileges and responsibilities including training, resources, and voting rights. - Recalibrate Delegate Allocation:
- All Branch Executives should be given voting rights.
- All Chapter Executives under the branch should be delegates.
- A proposed 9-member Council of Elders per external branch should be allowed delegate status.
- Expand Delegate Participation for Party Wings:
- All Branch Youth Wing Executives and Chapter Youth Organisers should vote in the election of the National Youth Organiser.
- The same principle should apply to the Women’s Wing and NASARA Wing, ensuring that all organisers regardless of their level have a seat at the decision-making table.Â
Strategic Justification: Why This Matters Now
In 2023, remittances from the Ghanaian diaspora hit $4.7 billion, according to the Bank of Ghana.
A significant proportion of this came from patriotic Ghanaians many of them NPP members, who not only support families back home but also fund party campaigns, donate to welfare initiatives, and invest in policy-driven causes.
During the 2020 and 2024 elections, external branches mobilised hundreds of thousands of cedis to directly support campaigns across Ghana.
In NPP UK alone, I was part of several initiatives that linked fundraising with constituency-level support on the ground.
We also contributed to the party’s policy platform through white papers, diaspora engagement plans, and digital voter outreach.
The truth is: our external branches are already operating as full partners in the party’s success. The constitution just needs to catch up.
Conclusion: Time for Action
The NPP has always stood for progress, inclusivity, and visionary leadership. These values must now be reflected in how we govern ourselves internally.
We are not asking for privilege; we are asking for fairness. For representation that reflects responsibility. For a constitution that recognises that the party lives and thrives not only in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale but also in London, Washington, Hamburg, and Toronto.
I urge the NEC and the NC to consider these proposals as more than constitutional tweaks. They are strategic recalibrations to build a more resilient, inclusive, and globally united NPP.
Let us lead by example. Let us include everyone. Let us rise together.
Thank you.
About author:
Dr. Kingsley Ahenkora-Duodu
Branch Deputy Youth Organiser, NPP UK
Former Youth Organiser – Leeds Chapter
Former PRO – TESCON UK
Former TESCON President – Universities in Leeds
Member – NPP 2024 Manifesto Committee for Youth and Sports