Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Chief of Staff of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s Campaign Team, has cautioned that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could face internal divisions if it fails to clearly define its leadership structure in the party’s constitution.

His remarks come as the NPP prepares to consider a series of constitutional amendments, including proposals to clarify who should officially be recognised as the party’s leader.

Under the party’s current arrangement, the National Chairman is generally regarded as the leader of the party, both when the NPP is in government and when it is in opposition.

However, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu believes the absence of a clearly defined constitutional provision could trigger disputes, particularly when the National Chairman and the party’s presidential candidate belong to different camps.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, he said differing views within the party have prompted calls for a formal definition of the leadership role.

“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.

According to him, one school of thought believes the party’s presidential candidate should be constitutionally recognised as its leader, while another prefers maintaining the current arrangement without explicitly assigning the title.

“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 former Majority Leader said the leadership question is among several constitutional reform proposals expected to be tabled at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference on September 19, 2026, where delegates will also elect new national executives.

He disclosed that another proposed amendment seeks to strengthen the role of polling station executives by assigning them clear responsibility for promoting the party’s political, social and economic programmes through sustained house-to-house campaigns.

The proposal also requires polling station executives to register party members during their outreach activities and submit regular reports to help the party accurately assess and monitor its grassroots membership strength.

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the proposed reforms are intended to deepen the party’s organisational structure and position it for sustained growth.

The party has scheduled Saturday, September 19, 2026, for its National Delegates Conference, where new national officers of the party will be elected.

The date was approved by the party’s National Council following a decision by the National Executive Committee (NEC) at a separate meeting held on June 25, 2026.

The conference will be conducted in line with Article 10(1) of the party’s Constitution.

As part of preparations towards the conference, the party has opened a process for members and stakeholders to submit proposals for amendments to its constitutional provisions.

The proposals are to be submitted to the Office of the General Secretary at the party’s national headquarters or through the designated electronic mail platform. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 17, 2026.

The NPP said the constitutional review exercise is intended to strengthen party structures, improve internal democratic practices and promote more effective governance.

It encouraged members, supporters and other stakeholders to take part in the process by submitting proposals that will help enhance the party’s constitutional arrangements.