Three members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have petitioned the party leadership to reverse a directive preventing government appointees from contesting 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 the Director of Legal Affairs, argues that the directive 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 bars ministers, deputy ministers, chief executive officers, managing directors and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from picking nomination forms for constituency, regional and national executive positions.
According to the petitioners, the restriction amounts to the suppression of lawful political participation within the party.
They argued that the directive breaches Article 12(1) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and freedoms, including the right to political participation.
The group further cited provisions within the NDC constitution, particularly Article 40(2), which requires aspirants for National Executive Committee positions to have previously served in executive roles either within government or the party.
They contended that the party could not require government experience as a qualification for leadership positions while at the same time preventing office holders from contesting unless they resign from their appointments.
The petitioners are therefore calling on the party leadership to investigate the matter and ensure that all members are allowed to fully participate in the party’s internal democratic processes.