6-Month Deadline: See NDC appointees set to miss party elections

The eligibility of some National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives to contest in the party’s December 2026 national elections has come under scrutiny after the six-month resignation deadline for government appointees seeking party positions expired.

The directive, announced by the party, required Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers and other government appointees who wished to contest for party positions to resign at least six clear months before filing their nominations.

On January 29, 2026, the National General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, announced that party members occupying certain government positions must resign at least six clear months before filing nominations if they intend to contest for party office.

“Any person seeking to contest for a party position who currently holds an office to which he or she was appointed by the President, or government must resign from that office at least six clear months before filing nomination claims,” Kwetey stated.

According to him, the directive, introduced pursuant to Article 54 of the NDC’s constitution, was aimed at ensuring a level-playing field for all aspirants seeking party positions.

The directive which affects Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors and their deputies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, as well as persons occupying analogous officers excludes chairpersons and members of governing boards, as well as persons occupying similar board positions. This means board appointments alone do not require resignation under the rule.

Based on the party’s six-month requirement, affected government appointees who wished to contest would have been required to resign by June 2026.

July 19, 2026, marked six months to the scheduled congress date.

Despite the deadline passing, none of the affected NDC national executives currently serving in government has publicly announced a resignation.

This could suggest that they do not intend to seek re-election to their respective party positions or are awaiting a possible change in the party’s position.

Based on the current list of national executives who also hold government appointments, the following officials fall within the category of persons affected by the directive

Until a court decision is made, the NDC’s stated position remains that affected officeholders were required to resign at least six clear months before filing nominations.

In practical terms, the expiration of the deadline means government appointees currently holding positions covered by the directive may be unable to contest for national party positions at the December 2026 congress under the existing rules.

It also suggests that at least eight current national executives serving in government may not seek re-election unless the ongoing court challenge changes the party’s position.

Under the directive, any Minister, Deputy Minister, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director or deputy, Metropolitan, Municipal or District Chief Executive, or person occupying who remains in post would be affected if they intend to contest for party office.

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The matter is, however, not fully settled. On July 1, 2026, an NDC member filed a case at the High Court challenging the six-month resignation requirement announced by the party.

The case is still pending, and its outcome could determine whether the directive remains enforceable or whether its interpretation changes ahead of the party’s internal elections.

Here is the list of national executives who are also appointees of the government who could be affected by the directive

1.George Opare Addo - Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment

2. Sammy Gyamfi - Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Gold Board

3. Malik Basintale - Chief Executive Officer, Youth Employment Agency

4. Osman Ayariga - Chief Executive Officer, National Youth Authority

5. Dr Hanna Lousia Bissiw - Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Development Fund

6. Ruth Seddoh - Director-General, National Service Authority

7. Elikem Kotoko - Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Forestry Commission

8. Abigail Elorm Mensah - Chief Executive Officer, MASLOC

The NDC has scheduled its national congress for December 19, 2026, with nominations for the internal elections expected to close on November 9, 2026.

JKB/VPO

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