Three members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have petitioned the party’s leadership to reverse a directive barring government appointees from contesting constituency, regional and national executive positions in the party’s 2026 internal elections.
The petition, addressed to the party’s General Secretary and copied to the Functional Executive Committee (FEC), National Executive Committee (NEC) and Director of Legal Affairs, argues that the restriction violates the constitutional rights of affected members.
The petitioners — Sinare Toufique Sinare, Ibrahim Tuzee Abdul-Raheem and Mohammed Amin Adam — are challenging a communiqué issued on April 27, 2026, which disqualified ministers, deputy ministers, chief executive officers, managing directors and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from picking nomination forms.
They contend that the move amounts to what they describe as “the suppression of lawful political activity and participation of party persons.”
“We hereby submit that, to the extent that an attempt is being made at estopping such persons with particular government designations from picking nominations to contest positions within the party, these attempts constitute an act of suppressing the lawful political activity and participation of such persons,” portions of the petition stated.
The petitioners further argue that the directive breaches Article 12(1) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and freedoms, including political participation.
They also cite provisions of the NDC constitution, particularly Article 40(2), which requires aspirants for National Executive Committee positions to have previously held executive office either within the party or government.
According to them, the party cannot “approbate and reprobate” by demanding government experience as a qualification while simultaneously compelling office holders to resign before contesting party positions.
They are therefore urging the party leadership to investigate the matter and ensure that all members are allowed to fully participate in the party’s internal democratic processes.
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