Some constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Tarkwa-Nsuaem have boycotted the inauguration of a local elections committee and petitioned the party’s national leadership, alleging breaches of internal guidelines and attempts to influence the process.
The dispute centres on the formation of polling station elections committees, a key step in the party’s internal electoral preparations.
Dissenting executives say the composition of the committees does not comply with party rules and risks undermining credibility at the grassroots level.
“We are not against the process, but against the clear violation of laid-down procedures,” said Kwadwo Antiedu Kwarteng, the constituency’s financial secretary, who spoke to local media after the boycott.
In a petition signed by Constituency Organiser Augustine Quaicoe, Second Vice Chairman Frank Gyemfi and Kwarteng, the group accused constituency officials of unilaterally selecting committee members without broader executive approval.
They argue that individuals aligned with certain factions were improperly classified as “opinion leaders” to secure their inclusion, sidelining former executives, assembly members and past Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) traditionally considered for such roles.
The petition also alleges that no formal meeting of the Constituency Executive Committee was held to approve the list, in breach of party procedures.
Kwarteng cited specific concerns in areas such as Cyanide and Kwabedu, claiming that some appointees had previously been linked to disruptions during party activities.
According to the petition, the situation was compounded during the inauguration when Western Regional Secretary Henry Amankwa Afrifa acknowledged pushing for a quick submission of names due to time constraints, after missing a deadline stipulated in party guidelines.
The group further alleged that names presented at the inauguration differed from earlier submissions and were introduced without consultation or approval from the appropriate party structures.
The petitioners said attempts to resolve the issue at the constituency and regional levels had failed, prompting escalation to the national leadership.
“The party must not be allowed to collapse on the altar of extreme autocracy disguised as expediency,” Kwarteng said, urging national executives to intervene.
The aggrieved members are calling for the committees to be declared null and void and reconstituted in line with party regulations.
There was no immediate response from constituency or regional party officials.
Click to read the full details of the petition below
