The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mounted a strong objection to President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), demanding that the President withdraw the appointment over concerns about her political neutrality.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and signed by its National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the NPP argued that Ms Agbenyo’s previous involvement in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) raises questions about her ability to discharge her duties impartially at the electoral management body.

The party cited her reported role as the NDC’s governance sector spokesperson during the preparation of its 2024 manifesto, as well as her alleged participation in campaign rallies and activities ahead of the 2024 general elections.

According to the NPP, appointing someone with such a political background to the leadership of an institution responsible for organising elections could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, particularly as the country approaches the 2028 general elections.

The party also accused President Mahama of contradicting his earlier position on political appointments to the Electoral Commission. It recalled that in March 2023, he reportedly criticised the appointment of individuals he described as party activists to the Commission and advocated an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval for such appointments.

The NPP has consequently called on the President to withdraw Ms Agbenyo’s appointment and urged the Council of State to explain the advice it provided regarding the decision.

The party further wants the ongoing constitutional review process to address the appointment of Electoral Commission members, arguing that reforms are necessary to strengthen confidence in the institution’s independence.

However, the concerns raised by the NPP represent the party’s position and do not, by themselves, establish that Ms Agbenyo would perform her duties with political bias.

Ms Agbenyo was sworn into office on October 12 alongside Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah. President Mahama urged both appointees to perform their constitutional responsibilities independently and impartially, without favouring any political party or candidate.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all prospective parliamentary aspirants to immediately cease campaign activities, warning that violators could face disciplinary sanctions, including consequences for their eligibility to contest.

In a statement dated October 11, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said it had received numerous complaints about members seeking parliamentary positions who had begun campaigning in various constituencies ahead of the official timetable.

According to the statement, the activities contravene the party’s regulations and Code of Conduct, creating an uneven playing field and threatening the unity and discipline required for the party’s success.

The directive takes immediate effect and covers all prospective parliamentary aspirants, their agents and supporters. They have been ordered to suspend every form of campaign activity until further notice.

Among the prohibited activities are mounting posters, billboards, banners and other branded materials; organising rallies, polling station executives’ meetings or constituency tours to solicit support; distributing items or inducements to delegates and party members; and running paid media or social media advertisements promoting a candidature.

The party has also warned its officers at polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national levels, as well as the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), against promoting prospective aspirants on social media or facilitating premature campaign activities.

The statement cautioned that anyone who fails to comply would be dealt with under the party’s disciplinary procedures, with possible implications for their eligibility to contest in the party’s parliamentary primaries.

Meanwhile, the NPP leadership said the timetable and guidelines for its parliamentary processes would be announced in due course. Constituency and regional executives have been tasked with ensuring strict compliance within their respective jurisdictions.

The directive signals the party leadership’s intention to maintain order in its internal electoral processes and prevent aspirants from gaining an early advantage before the official campaign period begins.

President John Dramani Mahama has begun a two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region as part of his nationwide ‘Resetting Ghana’ tour, with attention expected to focus on development priorities and engagement with local communities.

President John Dramani Mahama has commenced a two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region as part of his broader Resetting Ghana agenda, an initiative associated with his administration’s vision for national development and improved governance.

The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the President to engage with regional stakeholders, assess local development needs and discuss issues affecting residents and communities across the region.

The Ahafo tour also places the region’s development priorities in focus, particularly concerns relating to infrastructure, employment, healthcare, education and economic opportunities. However, the specific projects and policy issues scheduled for discussion during the visit have not been confirmed in the information provided.

As part of the working tour, attention will be on the President’s engagements with local authorities and other stakeholders, as well as any announcements or commitments that may emerge from the visit.

The Resetting Ghana agenda has been presented as a broader framework for addressing national challenges and improving the country’s development trajectory. The Ahafo visit offers another opportunity for the administration to engage with people at the regional level and hear concerns about local conditions and priorities.

Residents and other stakeholders will be watching closely for concrete outcomes from the engagements, including any commitments on development projects, public services and economic growth.

The central question is what tangible benefits the two-day visit will deliver for the people of Ahafo and how any commitments made will translate into action.

Further details on the President’s itinerary, scheduled meetings and specific announcements are needed to establish the full scope of the visit.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed aspirants to remove oversized campaign posters, warning that failure to comply with the directive could attract sanctions.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reportedly issued a stern warning to aspirants over the display of oversized campaign posters, giving them an ultimatum to take down the materials or risk facing disciplinary action.

The directive is aimed at addressing concerns surrounding campaign publicity materials as aspirants intensify efforts to promote their ambitions within the party.

The warning signals the party’s intention to enforce its campaign guidelines and ensure that aspirants adhere to the rules governing promotional activities.

Under the directive, aspirants whose posters fall foul of the stipulated requirements are expected to remove them within the period prescribed by the party. Those who fail to comply could face sanctions, although the specific penalties and enforcement arrangements have not been detailed in the headline.

The development comes amid campaign activities within the NDC, where aspirants are seeking to increase their visibility and strengthen their appeal among party members ahead of internal contests.

The directive is expected to draw attention to the balance between candidates’ promotional efforts and the need to maintain order and compliance with party regulations.

However, further details regarding the deadline for compliance, the specific dimensions considered oversized, and the nature of the sanctions are needed to establish the full scope of the directive.

Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has raised concerns about internal tensions within the governing party, warning that divisions among members could undermine its political fortunes ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Mr Gbande has acknowledged strained relations between the party and government, as well as disagreements over appointments and the performance of some government appointees.

In May 2026, he admitted that some ministers needed to be reshuffled but cautioned that carrying out the exercise without addressing existing divisions could deepen tensions within the party.

“Some Ministers must be reshuffled. As a Deputy General Secretary, that is what I believe,” he stated.

He explained that the challenge went beyond replacing ministers, arguing that factional alignments and perceptions of favouritism could influence how any reshuffle was interpreted by party members.

“Our problem has gone beyond reshuffle. Who are you going to change? Because if we are not together, if you reshuffle someone, they’ll say it’s because you don’t like the person,” he said.

Mr Gbande called for consensus-building and greater unity among party members before major decisions were taken, warning that disagreements over appointments could further divide the party.

He has also cautioned that the NDC’s biggest threat ahead of the 2028 elections may come from within rather than from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on October 5, 2026, he stressed that how the party manages power, relationships and internal structures would be critical to its future electoral performance.

He urged members to avoid undermining one another and creating parallel structures that could weaken the party at the grassroots.

Mr Gbande’s comments highlight the internal cohesion challenges facing the NDC as it balances the demands of governing with the expectations of party faithful.

His remarks suggest that strengthening internal relationships and addressing grievances will be important as the party prepares for the next general election.