The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken a decisive step toward ensuring a level playing field in its internal elections ahead of the 2026 polls. During a key party conference focused on election preparations, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) announced that all government appointees seeking to contest for any internal position must resign from their roles at least six months prior. This policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and allow aspiring candidates ample time to engage fully with grassroots party activities without the distractions of official duties.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, NDC Deputy Director of Elections, Mahdi Jibril, elaborated on the directive’s rationale. “This measure is crucial to fostering transparency and fairness within the party,” Jibril stated. He emphasized that government appointees often face scheduling conflicts that hinder their ability to mobilize support at the constituency level. By mandating a six-month resignation window, the NDC seeks to empower candidates to build genuine connections with party members, strengthening the democratic process from the branch level upward.
The decision comes at a pivotal moment for the NDC, which is ramping up preparations following its strong performance in recent elections. Party insiders view the policy as a strategic move to sideline “busy executives” and promote fresh faces who can dedicate themselves wholly to the party’s internal primaries. Critics within the opposition, however, have raised concerns that it could disadvantage experienced appointees who have contributed significantly to the government’s agenda. Nonetheless, Jibril dismissed such worries, insisting the rule aligns with the party’s constitution and past precedents.
This development underscores the NDC’s commitment to internal democracy amid Ghana’s charged political landscape. As the 2026 general elections loom, similar guidelines have been floated by other major parties, signaling a broader trend toward cleaner separation between state roles and partisan ambitions. Stakeholders are watching closely to see how the NEC enforces the policy, with expectations that it will shape the lineup of candidates vying for parliamentary and presidential primaries.
For now, the announcement has sparked lively discussions across NDC branches nationwide. Affected appointees now face a tough choice: step down early to pursue party leadership or maintain their government posts. As preparations intensify, this policy could redefine power dynamics within one of Ghana’s dominant political forces.