A group of New Patriotic Party-aligned lecturers known as the Friday Club, has called on all prospective presidential candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint, maturity and focus on issues rather than personalities as the party prepares for its internal leadership race ahead of the 2028 general elections.

In a statement released today, Wednesday, July 2, the group urged party members to uphold the NPP’s legacy of disciplined democratic practice and avoid conduct that could fracture party unity.

“As a party with a proud legacy of democratic practice and internal competition, the NPP must once again demonstrate its strength through a disciplined, issue-based and forward-looking leadership contest,” the statement read.

The Friday Club warned that while only one candidate will ultimately be chosen as the party’s flagbearer, fostering disunity during the contest could undermine efforts to rally support for the eventual nominee.

“Sowing seeds of acrimony now will only make unity and effective mobilisation later more difficult,” the group cautioned.

Signed by President of the group, Prof Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah, and Secretary, Dr Daniel Okyere-Darko Nsowah, the statement further urged all aspirants to focus their campaigns on policies, leadership qualities, and a shared vision for the party and country.

The group also called on the NPP’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Council of Elders and other internal structures to ensure a transparent and fair process, stressing the need for discipline and timely interventions to prevent potential divisions.

“We urge the National Executive Committee (NEC), the Council of Elders and other relevant structures and bodies within the Party to play proactive roles in ensuring that the internal contest is fair, transparent and devoid of actions that could jeopardise party cohesion,” the statement added.

The Friday Club concluded by urging all members of the NPP to let “unity, decorum and a shared commitment to Ghana’s development” guide their actions.