The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it is undergoing wide-ranging internal reforms following its defeat in the 2024 general elections, while firmly rejecting claims that it is losing political relevance.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the NPP remained a central force in Ghana’s democracy and insisted it was focused on rebuilding rather than survival politics.
“We are not struggling for political relevance,” he said on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on April 16.
“There is no way you can talk about Ghana’s democracy without acknowledging the role of the NPP.”
He said the party had embarked on a restructuring drive aimed at strengthening internal systems, improving communication and preparing more effectively for future elections.
A key part of the reforms is the creation of a communications committee tasked with reviewing the party’s messaging, developing policy positions and coordinating responses to political opponents.
According to Mr Frimpong, the changes go beyond election strategy.
“It is not just about winning power, but staying in power to implement policies and ideology,” he said, adding that the party had reflected on mistakes made while in government.
He argued that poor long-term planning after assuming office contributed to the party’s defeat in 2024.
To address this, the NPP has also set up a Political Strategy and Policy Committee to develop short, medium and long-term planning frameworks.
The party has further launched what it calls the Patriotic Institute, a training platform designed to educate members, particularly younger activists, on its ideological foundations as a centre-right political party.
Mr Frimpong said the institute would help strengthen loyalty and deepen understanding of the party’s history and political philosophy.
In addition, the NPP is developing a detailed operational manual outlining the roles of party officers at every level, from national executives to constituency structures.
The move follows internal disagreements and factional tensions during the 2024 election period, which the party has partly blamed on unclear responsibilities and overlapping functions.
“We want to eliminate ambiguity and reduce conflict within the party structures,” Mr Frimpong said.
Despite these reforms, the party has faced criticism that it is attempting to remain in the public spotlight through frequent press briefings.
But the party’s Communications Director rejected that view, insisting the NPP remains active in holding government accountable.
“As an opposition party, it is our duty to bring to light matters of public interest, including governance failures and alleged wrongdoing,” he said.
He also pointed to the party’s historical role in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, arguing that its contribution to democratic development cannot be overlooked.
The NPP’s latest press conference also raised concerns about what it described as political persecution and judicial overreach.
The Communications Director cited the case of a constituency communications officer in Sunyani East who was invited by police to assist in an investigation.
He said the party had secured legal representation for the individual and would continue to monitor the matter.
The governing National Democratic Congress has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
The developments underline continuing tensions between Ghana’s two main political parties as the NPP seeks to regroup after electoral defeat while stepping up its role as the main opposition.
