NPP’s Top-Down Reform Approach Faces Backlash from Grassroots – Palgrave Boakye-Danquah

Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a key member of Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign communications team, has raised concerns about the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) current strategy for internal reforms, warning that a centralized, top-down approach is unpopular among the party’s grassroots.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, June 21, Dr. Boakye-Danquah revealed that he has received numerous calls from party delegates and grassroots members expressing dissatisfaction with the direction of the proposed reforms.

“In my experience, many grassroots delegates have reached out to voice their discontent with this top-down method. It’s clearly not well received,” he said.

Citing the Mike Oquaye Committee’s recommendations to broaden the party’s electoral college, he noted that if these proposals are adopted at the upcoming Extraordinary Delegates Congress on July 19, the reforms should include provisions allowing former government officials—from both the Kufuor and Akufo-Addo administrations—to participate in delegate voting.

“It is essential that the reforms extend voting rights to former MMDCEs, MPs, CEOs, deputy CEOs, ministers, and deputy ministers,” he emphasized.

Dr. Boakye-Danquah warned that pushing through reforms without adequate grassroots consultation could alienate core supporters, especially given the limited time before the next round of internal elections.

“We believe the top-down approach is ill-timed and risky. There’s very little time, and the leadership must reconsider,” he added.

He also argued for a complete re-election of polling station executives to accommodate the proposed increase in officers per station from five to seven. Simply appointing two new officers to the existing structure, he cautioned, would only preserve the status quo.

“There must be a proper election for all polling station executives. Just adding two new officers to the current five without re-election would only maintain the existing structure,” he said.

His remarks come amid increasing debate within the NPP about the best path forward for structural reforms ahead of the 2026 internal elections.

Dr. Boakye-Danquah’s stance aligns with earlier concerns expressed by former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, who criticized the party’s decision-making process regarding internal elections. In a statement dated Wednesday, June 18, Agyarko labeled the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) approach as “strategically unsound, politically indefensible, and organisationally reckless,” warning that it could fracture party unity.

Agyarko voiced concern over the NEC’s plan to hold polling station elections on December 6, 2025, and the presidential primaries on January 31, 2026, while delaying other key elections—such as those for constituency and national executives—to unspecified dates.

Meanwhile, NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Koduah has confirmed that the party’s presidential primaries are officially scheduled for January 31, 2026, following the National Council’s endorsement of the constitution review committee’s proposal.

He clarified that the presidential primary date has already been ratified by the National Council and will not be subjected to approval by the delegates.

“The presidential primaries will be held on January 31, 2026. The National Council has already exercised its authority to approve this date,” he stated, noting that a planning committee has been established to oversee proposed constitutional amendments.