The National Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has established a specialized Ad Hoc Committee to monitor and regulate the conduct of aspiring presidential candidates ahead of the party’s crucial primary elections scheduled for January 31, 2026.
The decision, announced on Monday, September 15, 2025, follows a strategic meeting held with presidential aspirants on Thursday, September 11.
According to a statement issued by Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Chairman of the Council of Elders, the newly constituted committee will serve as a regulatory body overseeing the campaign activities of all presidential hopefuls, their campaign teams, and supporters throughout the primary process.
This initiative represents the party’s commitment to ensuring a fair, transparent, and orderly selection process for its 2028 presidential candidate.
The establishment of this monitoring committee comes at a critical juncture for the NPP, which is preparing to select its standard-bearer for the 2028 general elections.
The party has already undertaken significant electoral reforms, including an expansion of its delegate register to broaden participation in the primary process.
These constitutional amendments have introduced new categories of delegates, reflecting the party’s desire to democratize its internal electoral processes.
The timing of this announcement underscores the party’s proactive approach to managing what promises to be a competitive primary season.
With several potential candidates expected to contest for the party’s nomination, the Ad Hoc Committee’s role becomes crucial in maintaining party unity and preventing the kind of divisive campaigns that could weaken the party’s prospects in the 2028 general elections.
Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, a veteran politician who previously served as Ghana’s Foreign Minister from 2001 and has been Chairman of the Council of Elders since 2019, brings considerable experience to overseeing this process.
His leadership of the council has been marked by efforts to maintain party discipline and unity, as demonstrated in previous interventions regarding party members’ conduct.
The committee’s mandate extends beyond mere observation to active regulation of campaign conduct, suggesting the party leadership is determined to prevent any activities that could tarnish the integrity of the primary process.
This includes monitoring campaign messaging, resource utilization, and adherence to party guidelines governing internal elections.
The NPP’s decision to establish this oversight mechanism reflects lessons learned from previous primary elections and the party’s recognition that a well-managed selection process is essential for presenting a unified front in the 2028 general elections.
The committee will likely establish guidelines for campaign conduct, monitor compliance, and potentially impose sanctions for violations.
As the January 31, 2026 primary date approaches, this Ad Hoc Committee will serve as the guardian of the party’s democratic processes, ensuring that the selection of the NPP’s 2028 presidential candidate reflects the genuine will of the party’s expanded delegate base while maintaining the highest standards of electoral integrity within the party’s internal democracy.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
