The Planning Committee Chairman for the 2025 National Annual Delegates’ Conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Joseph Osei-Owusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, has announced that a total of 5,675 delegates are expected to attend the two-day conference.

The conference is scheduled for Friday, 18th, and Saturday, 19th July 2025, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing held at the NPP Headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra, on Thursday, 10th July 2025, Mr Osei-Owusu emphasised that all conference activities would take place exclusively at the stadium, with the requisite logistical and security arrangements already in place to ensure a seamless and incident-free gathering.

Responding to concerns following recent reports of a COVID-19 case at the University of Ghana, Mr Osei-Owusu assured the public that the party had taken comprehensive steps to safeguard attendees.

“We anticipate that issues related to COVID may arise, and so we have made adequate preparations. Our Health Committee has undertaken all critical measures necessary to guide participants and ensure that no COVID-related incidents are recorded during the conference,” he stated.

He clarified that, despite apprehensions expressed in certain quarters regarding the choice of venue, the Health Committee is well equipped and has instituted all precautionary protocols. He assured that the event would proceed without any health complications.

Mr Osei-Owusu revealed that the primary objective of this year’s delegates’ conference is to deliberate on proposed amendments to the NPP’s constitution.

“The agenda is to consider amendments put forward by the Constitutional Review Committee. A 300-page document has already been circulated by the General Secretary to all regional and constituency branches,” he explained. “In addition, a 64-page summary has also been made available. However, all of this will be distilled into specific motions upon which delegates will vote.”

He urged delegates to familiarise themselves with the proposed motions ahead of the event, stressing that decision-making during the conference would be strictly confined to those motions.

The Committee Chairman was emphatic that the event is strictly a delegates-only affair, and access to the core conference area—where decisions will be taken—would be restricted exclusively to accredited delegates.

“This is strictly a National Delegates’ Conference. Only delegates will be permitted into the main conference arena,” he cautioned. “A few exceptions may be granted by the National Executive Committee, but non-delegates will not be allowed to take part in the core deliberations.”

He also underscored that the party would not allow the conference to be turned into a platform for presidential hopefuls.

“We’ve already informed the National Council that no campaign materials—whether leaflets, posters, banners, T-shirts, or billboards—belonging to any aspirants will be allowed into the stadium,” he warned. “Any breach of these directives will be dealt with swiftly by our security team.”

According to him, such measures are intended to preserve the integrity and focus of the conference as a constitutional decision-making forum rather than a campaign rally.

On media participation, Mr Osei-Owusu announced plans to establish a designated media enclave at the venue to provide journalists with sufficient working space and facilities.

“We shall ensure you all have adequate space,” he told journalists. “We intend to provide a common broadcast feed for all media houses to ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting. Any publication that contradicts the official feed will be addressed accordingly.”

Mr Osei-Owusu reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to holding a peaceful, orderly, and impactful delegates’ conference that will strengthen internal democracy within the party.

“We wish to assure Ghanaians that this conference will be conducted with the utmost discipline and seriousness it warrants. It is not a stage for campaigners, but a solemn constitutional exercise. We are fully prepared.”