NDC delegates system reforms hailed as ‘new dawn’ for internal democracy

Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant for Akatsi South, William Kpormatsi, has welcomed reports that the party’s delegates system is being abolished, saying the proposed change could mark a significant step towards broader participation in the selection of parliamentary and presidential candidates.

Kpormatsi, who contested the NDC parliamentary primaries in the constituency, said the reform should not weaken the party’s grassroots organisation. Instead, he argued that branch executives would remain essential to maintaining effective political structures and systems.

In a statement shared on Facebook, he said: “The delegates system is abolished, but we still need branch executives for stronger political structures and systems. We commend Professor Frimpong Boateng, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Dr Christine Amoako-Nuama and Lawyer Vorke-Vormawor. A new dawn of democracy for Parliamentary and Presidential Primaries.”

His comments come amid continuing discussions within the NDC over proposed constitutional reforms expected to reshape the party’s internal electoral arrangements ahead of future parliamentary and presidential primaries.

The reported abolition of the delegates system is being viewed as an attempt to widen involvement in the process through which the party chooses its candidates. Kpormatsi described the development as a new chapter in the NDC’s internal democratic processes, while emphasising that the party’s organisational foundations must remain strong.

He said branch executives would continue to play a critical role in mobilising members, coordinating activities and sustaining the party’s presence at grassroots level. In his view, changes to the internal voting system should be accompanied by strong local leadership capable of supporting the NDC’s long-term growth.

Kpormatsi also praised those he said had contributed to the constitutional review process. He commended Professor Frimpong Boateng, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Dr Christine Amoako-Nuama and Lawyer Oliver Vorke-Wormavor for their roles in advancing the reforms, which he believes have helped create the conditions for the proposed changes.

Although the delegates system is reported to have been abolished, Kpormatsi maintained that branch executives would remain indispensable to the party’s political organisation. He linked their work to effective mobilisation, internal coordination and the development of durable grassroots structures.

The reforms are expected to influence how the NDC conducts future parliamentary and presidential primaries, although the discussions surrounding the changes remain ongoing among party members.

Kpormatsi is also a financial and economic development analyst. Over the years, he has campaigned on issues involving party welfare, education and grassroots development in the Akatsi South Constituency.

His intervention places the focus not only on the proposed changes to the party’s electoral system, but also on the importance of retaining a strong organisational network at branch level as the NDC considers the next phase of its internal democracy.