In a strongly worded open letter to the National Chairman and General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Frimpong, the party’s Deputy Protocol Director, has raised concerns about a proposal to elect the party’s flagbearer before selecting other internal positions.
Frimpong argues that this “top-down” approach contradicts the NPP’s long-standing democratic traditions, which prioritize grassroots involvement.
He emphasizes that the party’s strength lies in its vibrant base, from polling stations to regional and national levels. Electing a flagbearer first, he warns, could undermine grassroots participation and create an imbalance of power, potentially leading to favoritism and the imposition of leadership from the top.
The Deputy Protocol Director also highlights the risks of internal division, suggesting that selecting a flagbearer before rebuilding the party’s structures could exacerbate factionalism. Historically, Frimpong points out, the NPP has avoided such strife by ensuring party executives are elected before the flagbearer, allowing for a united and efficient party machinery.
Frimpong calls for the party to maintain its tradition of bottom-up leadership selection, which has contributed to NPP’s success in previous presidential elections. He stresses that a strong foundation must be built before selecting a flagbearer, likening it to constructing a house — one cannot install a roof before laying the foundation.
In conclusion, Frimpong urges NPP leadership to reject the proposed top-down method and reaffirm their commitment to the party’s grassroots-driven approach as they prepare for the 2028 elections.
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
