Kyei‑Mensah‑Bonsu Warns NPP: Undefined Leadership Structure Risks Factional Conflicts Ahead of September Conference
The Chief of Staff of the Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Campaign Team, Osei Kyei‑Mensah‑Bonsu, has cautioned that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) current leadership arrangement could trigger internal tensions if the party fails to critically review its constitutional provisions.
His warning comes as the NPP prepares to consider key amendments aimed at clarifying who should be formally recognised as the party’s leader.
Under the existing structure, the National Chairman is generally regarded as the party’s leader—both in government and in opposition. But Kyei‑Mensah‑Bonsu believes this practice is ripe for conflict, especially when the Chairman and the presidential candidate belong to different factions or support different contenders.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, he said several party members are pushing for a clear definition of the leadership role to prevent future disputes.
“We’ve had situations where the person who became the chairman may not have had the person who eventually became the presidential candidate as his candidate. So if you have such a situation, it’s a recipe for confusion and conflict in the party,” he said.
He explained that while some members want the presidential candidate to be formally recognised as the party’s leader, others prefer maintaining the current practice where the position remains undefined but is understood informally.
“We leave it as it had been without naming whoever, but the generality of the people recognise that the presidential candidate is effectively the leader of the party de facto. Or do we formalise it? I think the party will have to think through what is the most appropriate,” he added.
The leadership debate is one of several constitutional amendments expected to be tabled at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference on September 19, 2026, where delegates will also elect new national officers.
Another proposal seeks to strengthen the role of polling station executives by assigning them clear responsibilities for promoting the party’s political, social and economic programmes through house‑to‑house campaigns. The amendments would also require polling station executives to register party members during outreach activities and establish reporting systems to help the party assess its grassroots strength.
Kyei‑Mensah‑Bonsu said the reforms are intended to support the party’s growth and organisational development.
The NPP has invited members to submit proposed constitutional amendments by July 17, 2026, ahead of the September conference where the proposals will be debated alongside the election of national executives.
— CitiNewsRoom