From Umbrella to Elephant: What NDC and NPP colours and symbols mean

There are two dominant political parties in the country, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and they have played a central role in the country’s multiparty democratic system.

The National Democratic Congress, which is currently in government, is a social democratic political party founded by Jerry John Rawlings, who served as Ghana’s Head of State from 1981 to 1993 and as President from 1993 to 2001.

The party was established around principles including probity, accountability and social justice.

On the other hand, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was officially established on July 28, 1992, following Ghana’s return to multiparty democracy.

The party is deeply rooted in the Busia-Dombo tradition, a significant political tradition that places emphasis on individual freedoms, economic liberalism, and strong democratic governance.

What the NDC's '3y3 Zu' and '3y3 Za' slogans actually mean

Beyond their political ideologies and histories, the two parties are also identified by distinctive colours and symbols that feature prominently in their flags, campaign materials and public events.

Meaning behind the colours

NDC colours

The NDC uses red, white, green and black as its colours.

Red is associated with strength, passion and determination, while white represents peace, unity and purity. Green symbolises growth, prosperity and hope, while black is associated with strength, resilience and stability.

Together, the NDC’s colours are used to convey themes linked to social justice, national unity, economic empowerment and development.

There is also an umbrella on the NDC flag, which symbolises shelter, protection, and safety for all citizens through political and economic changes.

NPP colours

The NPP, on the other hand, uses red, white and blue as its official colours.

Red is commonly associated with passion, energy and the drive for national development, while white represents purity, transparency and integrity. Blue symbolises stability, trust and unity.

The iconic emblem on the NPP flag is an African elephant. The blue elephant on a white background serves as the party's identifier.

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