The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed all government appointees seeking to contest for party positions to resign from their posts at least six months before the party’s internal elections, as part of newly approved eligibility rules.
The directive, announced by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, follows the approval of revised provisions by the National Executive Committee (NEC) under Article 54 of the NDC constitution. The measures are intended to regulate participation in the party’s upcoming internal elections and prevent conflicts between public office and party ambitions.
Under the new rules, any person holding an office to which they were appointed by the President or government must resign at least six clear months before filing nomination to contest for a party position. The affected categories include ministers and deputy ministers; chief executive officers, managing directors and their deputies or equivalent office holders; and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives.
However, chairpersons and members of boards are exempt from the directive. Mr Kwetey explained that board members do not fall under the restriction because they are not considered full-time employees of the state.
Addressing journalists, the General Secretary stressed that the provisions are binding and will be enforced strictly. “These provisions are firm, constitutional and will be enforced without exception,” he said, warning that no appeals or pleas for exemption would be entertained.
The party has also set out specific resignation timelines depending on the level at which an aspirant intends to contest. Appointees seeking to contest at the constituency level are required to resign by April 2026. Those aiming for regional-level positions must step down by May 2026, while aspirants for national-level party offices are required to resign by June 2026.
Mr Kwetey said the official guidelines governing the internal elections would be made public immediately, allowing party members and the general public full access to the details.
The move is expected to affect several serving government officials with ambitions within the party, as the NDC prepares for internal contests ahead of future national elections. Party officials say the rules are designed to ensure fairness, internal discipline and a clear separation between state responsibilities and party political activity.
The announcement has already sparked debate within political circles, with some viewing the directive as a necessary step to level the playing field, while others anticipate it could trigger a wave of resignations in the coming months.
The NDC leadership has maintained that the guidelines are consistent with the party’s constitution and essential for safeguarding the integrity of its internal democratic processes.