NPP Deputy Protocol Director Rejects Proposal to Elect Flagbearer Before Party Executives

In a strongly worded open letter addressed to the National Chairman and General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Deputy Protocol Director Kwabena Frimpong has urged the party to reject any proposal that places the election of a flagbearer ahead of internal party executive elections.

Frimpong argues that the “flagbearer-first” idea runs contrary to the party’s foundational values of grassroots democracy and risks undermining internal cohesion.

According to him, the NPP’s strength lies in its bottom-up structure — a model that ensures the voice of polling station members is heard before major national decisions are made.

“Electing a flagbearer first reverses this structure and effectively sidelines the voice of the grassroots, weakening the democratic spirit of the party,” he wrote.

He warned that such a move could lead to favoritism, imposition of candidates, and internal disunity, as a pre-selected flagbearer might exert undue influence on the election of party officers.

Frimpong emphasized that building a solid executive foundation across all levels is essential for a credible and united campaign going into the 2028 elections.

He also highlighted the risk of setting a dangerous precedent by prioritizing presidential ambitions over institutional process.

“No one begins building a house by installing the roof before laying the foundation,” he noted.

The Deputy Protocol Director concluded with a call to preserve the party’s tradition of electing leaders from the bottom up, stressing that the NPP must remain focused on strengthening its base before turning attention to flagbearer selection.

Read full statement below;

Open Letter To National Chairman & General Secretary

Dear Sir,

Subject: Let’s build a Stronger Party Before electing a Flagbearer: Why NPP Must Reject Top-Down Flagbearer First Proposals.

As a committed member of the New Patriotic Party and in my capacity as Deputy Protocol Director, I strongly oppose the proposal suggesting that the NPP should elect its flagbearer first before electing other internal party positions. This idea not only contradicts our long-standing democratic traditions but also threatens to erode the very foundation upon which our party was built — the grassroots.

– Undermining Grassroots Participation

The strength of the NPP lies in its vibrant and committed base, starting from the polling stations, through the electoral areas, constituencies, regions and National. Our traditional approach electing party officers from the bottom up ensures that the decision-making power begins with the grassroots. Electing a flagbearer first reverses this structure and effectively sidelines the voice of the grassroots, weakening the democratic spirit that weaken the NPP democratical principles of the party.

– Risk of Imposed Leadership

When a flagbearer is elected before the party’s base structures are fully formed or renewed, it opens the door for favoritism, manipulation, and potential imposition of preferred candidates on the rank-and-file. This top-down method creates a power imbalance, where the chosen flagbearer may unduly influence the selection of party executives at all other levels whom are perceived his supporters eroding fairness and trust in the process. All prospective aspirants perceived to be anti the Flagbearer would be sidelined in the internal election leading to more division in the party

– Conflicts of Interest and Internal Disunity

Historically, the NPP has avoided internal strife by allowing the party to rebuild its structures before choosing its Flagbearer. If we flip the order and select a flagbearer first, we risk deepening factionalism within the party, as aspirants may attempt to use their influence to install loyalists across various levels, rather than focusing on building a united and efficient party machinery.

– Institutional Precedent Matters

Our electoral tradition has always prioritized party organization before presidential ambitions. This structure is not only time-tested but also designed to produce a well-prepared, organized, and united front. Changing the process arbitrarily — particularly to favor a few individuals — could set a dangerous precedent where party rules are bent for political convenience.

– Organizational Efficiency and Mobilization

A solid and legitimate executive base across all levels is necessary to mobilize effectively for any national election. Without elected local and regional executives, a flagbearer will lack the full support structure needed to launch a cohesive and effective campaign. Electing executives first ensures the flagbearer inherits a functional and representative party ready for battle.

– Electing Party Executives before the Flagbearer would enhance check and balances

When the party executives are elected before the Flagbearer, there would be proper check and balances when setting up the National Campaign team and Manifesto committee to avoid a one sided team filled with only loyalists of the Flagbearer but a United campaign team even with members from the Flagbearers opposing teams members.

Finally, as a proud member and servant of this great party, I believe it is in the best interest of the NPP to uphold its tradition of bottom-up leadership selection which has been done from the formation of the party in 1992. We must resist attempts to centralize power and instead trust the structures that have guided us to four(4) presidential electoral victories time and time again. Let us continue to build the party from the grassroots which would be strong, united, and prepared for election 2028 before we choose our next Flagbearer, no one begins building a house by installing the roof before laying the foundation. To construct a solid house, you must start from the ground up not top down.

Thank You.

Kwabena Frimpong
Deputy Protocol Director, NPP