Incumbent General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has urged delegates to retain him in the party’s October national executive elections, saying his continued leadership will help strengthen the party and position it to return to the Jubilee House in 2029.

Mr Kodua made the appeal after filing his nomination to contest the general secretary position at the NPP headquarters on Monday, August 24.

Addressing party supporters, Mr Kodua said he was confident in his record and ability to lead the party through its reorganisation following its defeat in the 2024 general election.

He said the party entered the 2024 election with the ambition of "breaking the eight" but was unable to retain power.

Mr Kodua, however, stressed that despite the defeat, the NPP remained a strong political force.

"We all know the party went into a very difficult election in 2024. And because we knew the election was going to be a difficult one, we came out with a mantra termed as breaking the eight.

"Though we couldn't win the elections, the New Patriotic Party continued to remain a strong party," Mr Kodua said.

Party faced turbulence after 2024 defeat

According to Mr Kodua, the NPP went through a particularly difficult period in 2025 following its electoral defeat.

He said the period was characterised by tension, confusion, acrimony, disagreements, and uncertainty, with some party members becoming concerned about the future of the NPP.

"Many of you were very worried, looking at the tension, the confusion, the acrimony, the disturbances, and the uneasiness in our party," Mr Kodua said. "Many of you felt that 2025 was going to be a very difficult year for the New Patriotic Party. At that point, some of you thought that the party was even going to collapse."

Mr Kodua said the party leadership subsequently took what he described as a bold and unprecedented decision to elect its presidential candidate before conducting the other internal elections.

He acknowledged that the decision attracted criticism at the time but maintained that it had ultimately helped restore calm and stability within the party.

"But when the party decided to take a bold decision for us to have calmness, to have peace, and to have order in our party, we decided to take a decision that has never been taken before. A very decisive decision, but at that time very unpopular," he said.

Mr Kodua recalled that the decision to elect the flagbearer first was met with criticism from some members of the party.

"When we said that in order for the party to have peace and calmness, we needed to start the election with our flagbearer, I remember when we took that decision, many people chastised the general secretary and members of the National Council," he said.

"But I can tell you that today we have been vindicated," he added.

Claims credit for party reorganisation

Mr Kodua also highlighted his role in the reorganisation of the party, pointing to the successful completion of internal elections at various levels.

He said the NPP had conducted elections at the polling station, electoral area, constituency, and regional levels, describing the process as one of the most peaceful and successful internal election exercises in the party's history.

"By electing our flagbearer first, it has ensured that there is peace in our party. And the person who led us to take that decision is your own general secretary," Mr Kodua said.

He added that his leadership had been instrumental in guiding the party through its reorganisation.

"I assure you that as the man who has led the reorganisation of our party through ensuring successful polling station elections, successful electoral area elections, successful constituency elections, and successful regional elections, all of you attest to the fact that we have organised one of the most peaceful and successful internal elections the party has ever had," he said.

According to Mr Kodua, the successful internal elections have helped restore confidence and enthusiasm among party members.

"Indeed, as I speak to you today, the New Patriotic Party spirit is back," he said.

Calls for continuity ahead of 2028

Mr Kodua said the NPP's immediate focus should now be on building a united and effective party ahead of the 2028 general election.

He urged delegates to elect executives who would work towards securing victory for the party and ensuring that its flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, becomes President of Ghana.

"The only thing left is for us to come 3rd of October to elect executives who will work to make sure that His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia becomes the president of Ghana in 2028," Mr Kodua said.

He further stressed the importance of maintaining a strong working relationship between the General Secretary's office and that of the party's flagbearer.

"And I can assure you that, indeed, you have a general secretary who works comfortably with the flagbearer," he said.

"You have a general secretary who has a good working relationship with the office of the flagbearer," Mr Kodua added.

He argued that retaining him would help preserve the cordial relationship between the party's administrative leadership and the office of the flagbearer.

"In order for us to continue to ensure that cordiality, there is the non-negotiable need for us to maintain the general secretary of our party," he said.

Predicts endorsement in Kumasi

Mr Kodua expressed confidence that delegates would back his bid for another term when the NPP holds its national executive elections in Kumasi on October 3.

He said he expected the contest to be less about a competitive election and more about an endorsement of his leadership.

His bid for another term comes as the NPP seeks to consolidate its structures and rebuild after losing the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The October elections will determine the team that will lead the party as it prepares for the 2028 general election, with Mr Kodua seeking to retain his position and continue what he describes as the party's ongoing reorganisation.

Mr Kodua is set to face three other contenders: former Subin Member of Parliament Eugene Boakye Antwi, Slyvester Tetteh, and Charles Dwamena.