The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to hold presidential primaries on January 31, 2026, has sparked intense debate. Prof. Joseph Freeman Danquah, a lecturer at the University of Bradford argues that prioritizing presidential primaries over reforms at the base, particularly expanding polling station executives, is flawed logic.
The Importance of Expanding the Base
The NPP’s grassroots structure is crucial to its success. Expanding polling station executives from five to seven members is not just an administrative tweak; it’s a strategic imperative to rejuvenate the party’s base, broaden participation, and correct past exclusionary practices that contributed to the party’s 2024 defeat. This expansion would inject new energy and legitimacy into the base, reducing perceptions of manipulation or imposition.
Logistical Feasibility
It’s logistically and constitutionally feasible to expand the base before January 31, 2026. The Delegates Conference on July 19, 2025, can approve the addition of new polling station officers and authorize elections within 90 days, well in time for the presidential primary. The party has demonstrated capacity to conduct polling station elections within a few weeks, as seen in 2018 and 2022.
Avoiding Expansion is Shortsighted
Selecting a presidential candidate with an outdated or incomplete base will delegitimize the process and deepen apathy among party members. The party’s acceptance of the Oquaye Committee’s recommendation for an expanded electoral college while dismissing grassroots empowerment is contradictory.
Conclusion
The NPP has a golden opportunity to rebuild its internal structures with integrity. By expanding polling station executives and refreshing the grassroots before electing a flagbearer, the party can ensure a fair and updated electoral college, foster true unity, and reduce perceptions of manipulation. The choice is clear: lay a stronger foundation before choosing the next leader.
