The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed an immediate halt to all premature presidential campaign and endorsement activities within the party.
The directive followed a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama and instructs all party communicators and members to cease early political maneuvering ahead of the 2028 elections. The Council further urged members to focus on governance and support the government’s Resetting Agenda until official timelines for internal contests are announced.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Executive Director of the Institute of Strategic Studies, and governance and public policy researcher, described the Council’s intervention as timely and necessary for preserving party unity and discipline.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem with Alexander Nana Dogbe in Accra. Dr. Otchere said the directive was intended to prevent unnecessary internal tension and ensure stability within the party ahead of future presidential primaries.
According to him, recent developments suggest that both the presidency and party leadership have become increasingly concerned about premature political maneuvering and internal power struggles among some government appointees and party figures.
“This is clearly about the President trying to ensure stability within the party,” he said. “Some people are already engaging in subtle campaigning, building structures across the country, touring regions, appointing coordinators, and creating visibility for themselves, even though the official processes for the flagbearership race have not yet begun.”
Dr. Otchere explained that under the party’s constitution, government appointees are not expected to openly campaign for the flagbearership while serving in office. He noted that regulations governing the next internal elections have not yet been released and that no official vetting process has commenced.
“The concern is that some appointees are using indirect methods to promote their ambitions while still serving in government, which gives them an unfair advantage over others who may also be interested in contesting,” he stated.
He said the intervention by the Council of Elders was aimed at restoring order, maintaining discipline, and ensuring a level playing field for all prospective aspirants.
“If people fail to comply, the next step could be sanctions,” he cautioned.
Dr. Otchere further stressed that party members must respect constitutional timelines governing internal elections and avoid actions that could trigger unnecessary conflict or factionalism.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Debate
Commenting on the ongoing debate surrounding the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, Dr. Otchere observed that members of both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have shown interest in the matter.
However, he criticized aspects of the political discourse, arguing that some positions adopted by the Minority appeared politically motivated rather than focused on building national consensus.
According to him, the Minority’s stance was disingenuous because both the Minority and Majority caucuses played roles in the formulation and advancement of the bill at various stages.
He added that the current administration must avoid repeating mistakes made by previous governments in handling sensitive parliamentary and constitutional matters.
“It should not be different from what the previous president did. I only hope that the President, considering his parliamentary experience, together with the Speaker of Parliament, will ensure that things are done properly. It is better to take time and get it right than to rush the process and end up in court,” he stated.
Dr. Otchere concluded by emphasizing the importance of fairness, discipline, and constitutional order within political parties to preserve unity and prevent avoidable divisions.
Council Warns Against Early Campaign Activities
In a related development, the NDC Council of Elders has cautioned party members against engaging in premature presidential campaign activities, urging unity and discipline as the party concentrates on governance.
The warning follows a meeting between the Council and President Mahama on May 29, 2026, during which discussions centered on party unity, internal discipline, and support for the government’s Resetting Agenda.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Council expressed concern over reports of early campaign activities by individuals and groups within the party, warning that such actions could undermine cohesion and distract from governance priorities.
The Council stressed that the NDC is currently focused on delivering its mandate to the people of Ghana and urged members to channel their energies and resources into supporting the government’s development agenda.
“At this critical stage of national reconstruction and renewal, every member of the Party is expected to devote his or her energies, resources, and commitment to supporting the Government’s efforts to reset the country and improve the lives of Ghanaians, rather than engaging in activities that have the potential to create division, distraction, or unnecessary internal competition,” the statement said.
The Council also referenced Article 42 of the NDC Constitution, which outlines the process and timelines for electing a presidential candidate, noting that such matters are determined by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
It emphasized that until the NEC officially announces a timetable and guidelines for presidential primaries, no individual or group is authorized to engage in campaign activities, either directly or indirectly.
“The Council emphasises that, until the appropriate constitutional processes have been initiated and the National Executive Committee has determined the timetable and guidelines for the conduct of presidential primaries, no individual, group, or interest bloc is authorised to undertake or promote any form of presidential campaign, whether directly or indirectly,” the statement added.
The Council therefore directed all persons involved in such activities to cease immediately, including campaigning, mobilisation, endorsements, and related political activities.
It urged members to remain focused on party unity and governance, stressing that internal competition would be addressed at the appropriate time.
“The time for internal contests will come. For now, our collective responsibility is to serve the nation and successfully implement the mandate entrusted to us,” the Council stated.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah