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Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated the outgoing NPP National Executive Committee led by Danquah Smith Buttey, the National Officers Elections Committee chaired by Frederick Opare Ansah, and all delegates following the successful 2026 National Annual Delegates Conference in Kumasi.
He also congratulated the newly elected executives led by National Chairman John Boadu and called for unity as the party begins its next phase. 📍 Kumasi, Ashanti Region |
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated the outgoing National Executive Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Officers Elections Committee and delegates following the successful conclusion of the party’s 2026 National Annual Delegates Conference in Kumasi.
The former President also extended his congratulations to the newly elected national executives led by National Chairman John Boadu, while calling on members of the party to move forward with a sense of unity following the completion of the internal elections.
The conference, held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, brought together delegates from across the country for the election of new national officers to lead the party into its next organisational phase.
In a message shared after the conference, Akufo-Addo commended the outgoing National Executive Committee, led by former Acting National Chairman Danquah Smith Buttey, for overseeing the party during the period leading to the elections.
He also recognised the work of the National Officers Elections Committee, chaired by Frederick Opare Ansah, as well as the delegates who participated in the conference.
According to the former President, the successful completion of the conference demonstrated the strength of the NPP's internal democratic processes.
Akufo-Addo praises the internal democratic process
Akufo-Addo described the conference as evidence of the party's continuing internal democratic tradition.
He said the process had once again demonstrated the “vibrancy” of the NPP's internal democratic processes.
The comments come after months of preparations for the national officers' elections.
The National Officers Elections Committee had been established to oversee the process, with Frederick Opare Ansah serving as chairman. The committee had engaged aspirants and their representatives ahead of the October 3 elections and announced rules and operational arrangements for the polls.
For Akufo-Addo, the conclusion of the conference represents more than the selection of new officers. It also provides an opportunity for the party to begin another stage of its organisational development.
His message therefore focused on the need to move beyond the internal contest and concentrate on the broader objectives of the party.
Recognition for Danquah Smith Buttey
The former President specifically congratulated the outgoing National Executive Committee led by Danquah Smith Buttey, who served as Acting National Chairman during a significant period for the party.
Buttey took over the acting chairmanship at a time when the NPP was undergoing internal restructuring following its defeat in the 2024 general elections.
At the party's delegates conference, NPP presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also paid tribute to Buttey, saying he had stepped forward during a difficult period and helped steady the party.
Akufo-Addo's recognition therefore adds to the acknowledgement of the outgoing leadership's role in guiding the party towards the latest internal elections.
The transition from one national executive team to another is an important part of the internal administration of a political party, particularly after a competitive leadership contest.
Frederick Opare Ansah and the Elections Committee commended
Akufo-Addo also praised the National Officers Elections Committee chaired by Frederick Opare Ansah.
The committee had the responsibility of overseeing the process that culminated in the election of the new national officers.
Its work included preparations for the election, engagements with aspirants and their representatives, and the establishment of rules and procedures for the voting process.
By recognising the committee alongside the outgoing executives and delegates, Akufo-Addo acknowledged the different groups that contributed to the organisation of the conference.
The former President's message also placed the delegates at the centre of the process, congratulating them for their participation in the conference.
John Boadu leads the new executive team
Akufo-Addo extended his congratulations to the newly elected national executive officers led by John Boadu, who emerged as the NPP's new National Chairman.
Boadu defeated former Energy Minister Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko and former National Chairman Paul Afoko in the chairman's contest. He secured 2,888 votes, while Agyarko obtained 2,408 and Afoko received 790 votes, according to results reported by the Ghana News Agency.
Justin Frimpong Kodua retained the position of General Secretary, while other new officers were elected to positions including National Organiser, National Women’s Organiser, National Youth Organiser, National Nasara Organiser and Communications Director.
Akufo-Addo wished the new leadership a fruitful mandate.
His congratulations come as the new executives begin the process of taking responsibility for the party's national administration and organisational direction.
“One Party, with One Purpose”
A major part of Akufo-Addo's message was his call for the party to move forward under the principle of unity.
He said the conclusion of the conference should mark the beginning of a progressive march towards the party's collective aspirations as “One Party, with One Purpose, United for Victory.”
The statement comes after a competitive internal election in which several candidates contested various national executive positions.
Internal party elections can generate competing interests and differences among members, making the period after the election particularly important for the new leadership.
Akufo-Addo's message therefore emphasised the need for members to work together after the contest.
The call for unity also echoes statements from the newly elected National Chairman, John Boadu, who told the party that there should be no winners or losers after the elections, but rather one NPP united around a common purpose.
Focus now turns to rebuilding the party
With the national executive elections concluded, attention is expected to shift towards organisational work within the party.
Boadu has already called for the party to strengthen its grassroots structures, improve consultation and work with different sections of the organisation.
He said the party must rebuild from the grassroots upwards and strengthen constituency structures. He also called for unity, consultation and greater organisational discipline.
Akufo-Addo's message similarly places emphasis on collective action following the conference.
The new executives will therefore have to work with regional and constituency officers, Members of Parliament, party supporters and other stakeholders as they begin their mandate.
The ability of the new leadership to bring different groups together will be an important part of the next phase of the party's development.
Looking ahead to the 2028 elections
Akufo-Addo also linked the party's post-conference unity to the next general elections.
He said the time had come for “all hands on deck” for the party to pursue its objectives in the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to his statement, the NPP's presidential candidate for the 2028 election is Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
Akufo-Addo said that an NPP victory would result in a new NPP government under Bawumia's leadership and associated that government with promoting the rule of law and the welfare of ordinary Ghanaians.
Those comments form part of the former President's political message to his party and should be understood in that context.
The 2028 election remains ahead, meaning the NPP's immediate organisational challenge is to translate the outcome of the internal conference into a functioning national leadership structure.
A new chapter for the NPP
The 2026 conference effectively closes one chapter of the NPP's internal leadership and opens another.
The outgoing executives have handed over the national leadership structure to a new team led by John Boadu.
For the NPP, the transition comes after a period of internal assessment and restructuring following the 2024 electoral defeat.
The party's leadership has repeatedly spoken about rebuilding its structures, strengthening grassroots engagement and preparing for future electoral contests.
The new national executives will therefore inherit both opportunities and challenges.
They will have to manage internal expectations, maintain communication with party members and coordinate the work of the party's structures across the country.
Importance of a peaceful transition
The successful completion of an internal leadership election is significant for any political organisation.
A peaceful transition allows the new leadership to begin its mandate without prolonged uncertainty over who is responsible for the party's national administration.
Akufo-Addo's decision to congratulate both the outgoing and incoming teams underscores the importance of continuity.
His message did not focus only on those who won positions. By thanking the outgoing executives, the Elections Committee and delegates, he acknowledged the broader process through which the new leadership emerged.
This also provides the new executives with a clear starting point: the election is over, and organisational work must now take centre stage.
The road ahead
The new NPP leadership is expected to spend the coming period strengthening party structures and engaging members across the country.
The party's internal organisation will be closely watched as it prepares for future electoral contests.
The leadership will also have to balance the interests of members who supported different candidates during the national elections.
That makes the call for unity particularly relevant.
The new executives' ability to maintain cooperation among competing groups could influence how effectively the party operates during the next phase.
Meanwhile, outgoing executives such as Danquah Smith Buttey remain part of the wider party structure and can continue contributing their experience.
Conclusion
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated the outgoing NPP National Executive Committee led by Danquah Smith Buttey, the National Officers Elections Committee chaired by Frederick Opare Ansah, and all delegates for the successful organisation and conduct of the party's 2026 National Annual Delegates Conference.
He also congratulated the newly elected national executives led by John Boadu, wishing them a fruitful mandate.
The former President described the conference as a demonstration of the vibrancy of the NPP's internal democratic processes and called for the party to move forward as “One Party, with One Purpose, United for Victory.”
With the internal elections now concluded, the NPP enters a new phase under its new national leadership.
The immediate task is to turn the spirit of the conference into sustained organisational work, unity and engagement across the party's structures.
As the party looks towards the 2028 general elections, Akufo-Addo's message places one central issue at the heart of the next chapter: the need for members to put the internal contest behind them and work collectively towards the party's stated objectives.