As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares to head to the polls on Saturday, January 31, 2026, to elect a flagbearer for the 2028 elections, the party is celebrating a landmark expansion of its internal democracy.
Since the return to constitutional rule in 1992, the NPP delegate population has transformed from a small gathering of less than 2,000 to a massive army of 211,849 voters.
This surge follows a strategic push by the party leadership to broaden the base and decentralise decision-making, ensuring that the selection of a flagbearer reflects the will of the entire nation rather than a select elite.
The Evolution of the NPP Delegate Base
The journey from 1992 to 2026 reflects the NPP’s commitment to its motto, “Development in Freedom.”
Data compiled by the Joy Research Desk from the NPP election centre show that in its inaugural year, the party’s presidential candidate was chosen by just 1,998 delegates.
By the time the party held its 2010 primary, that number had jumped to 106,590 following significant constitutional reforms designed to minimise vote-buying and increase the legitimacy of the results.
Today, the 2026 voter album stands at a record 211,849, a nearly 10,500% increase since 1992.
The Historical Growth Curve:
- 1992: 1,998 delegates
- 1996: 1,996 delegates (held at the Great Hall, University of Ghana)
- 2007: 2,293 delegates
- 2010: 106,590 delegates (First major expansion)
- 2023: 203,439 delegates
- 2026: 211,849 delegates (New historical peak)
New Categories of Voters for 2026
The current expansion, adopted at the National Annual Delegates Conference in July 2025, included several new categories of officials in the voter album to enhance inclusivity.
These include:
- All former party card-bearing Members of Parliament and Ministers.
- All past National, Regional, and Constituency Executives.
- TESCON Presidents and Patrons from every recognized tertiary institution.
- External Branch Executives from the party’s international chapters.
The Race for the Flag: Meet the Candidates
Five aspirants have successfully filed their nominations to vie for the single slot to lead the NPP into the 2028 general elections.
- Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
- Dr. Bryan Acheampong
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
- Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum
- Kwabena Agyei Agyepong
Two other candidates make up the five-man race, which party analysts describe as a “battle of ideas, personality, and strategy”.
D-Day Logistics and Security
Voting will take place nationwide across all 275 constituencies, with regional and national centres also designated for specific categories of delegates.
The Ghana Police Service has been granted exclusive jurisdiction over security to prevent any unauthorised private arrangements.
As the Elephant party prepares for this massive logistical undertaking, all eyes are on whether this expanded delegate base will deliver a one-touch victory or force a run-off between the top contenders.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
