Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is gearing up for a crucial phase in its electoral process as it commences the vetting of 47 aspirants vying for various national officer positions in the 2026 elections. This vetting exercise, a significant step following the closure of nominations, is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 31, 2026, and will continue until Thursday, September 3.
According to Ghana Web, out of the 50 individuals who purchased nomination forms, 47 successfully filed their completed forms ahead of the 6:00 pm deadline on Saturday, August 29. The National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC) confirmed this development while noting that three aspirants did not complete the filing process. Among them are Bernard Antwi Boasiako, who had intended to contest for the National Chairperson position, Evans Kodom, who aimed for the National Communications Director role, and Perpetual Ekua Lomokie Akwada, who sought to become the National Women Organiser. Boasiako withdrew his candidature, Kodom stepped aside during the nomination of Dennis Miracles Aboagye, and Akwada did not submit her completed nomination forms in time.
The upcoming vetting exercise will be organized based on the specific positions being contested. On Monday, aspirants for the positions of National Chairperson, General Secretary, and National Treasurer will face the Vetting Committee. Tuesday is reserved for those contesting for National Vice Chairperson positions, while Wednesday will see candidates for National Organiser and National Youth Organiser positions. The final day, Thursday, is allocated for aspirants seeking roles as National Communications Director, National Nasara Organiser, and National Women Organiser.
Chaired by Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Vetting Committee will assess the aspirants to ensure they meet the necessary requirements to proceed in the party's electoral process. The committee's role is to ensure that the candidates are adequately prepared and qualified for their respective positions.
The withdrawal of Boasiako from the National Chairperson race, Kodom stepping aside, and Akwada's failure to submit her forms have reduced the number of active aspirants from 50 to 47. This change leaves Dennis Miracles Aboagye as the sole aspirant for the National Communications Director position, potentially uncontested, pending the completion of the vetting process.
The NOEC has emphasized the importance of unity and decorum among aspirants and their supporters during the electoral process. It has reiterated its commitment to conducting an "orderly, fair, transparent, and credible" election process. This vetting marks the first significant challenge for the aspirants as they aim to secure national officer positions, contributing to the party's ongoing reorganization efforts ahead of the 2028 general election.