The New Patriotic Party (NPP) USA has responded robustly to recent publications attacking the proposed electoral reforms, clarifying that these reforms are not only lawful but essential to strengthening fairness within the party.

In a press statement released On April 16, 2026, some members of NPP-USA emphasised that "the ongoing debate is not about personal rivalries or power struggles. Rather, it is a critical decision about whether the NPP-USA will continue to uphold restrictive barriers that limit participation or take meaningful steps toward a more inclusive, democratic process that aligns with the values of the mother party in Ghana."

Under the current NPP-USA By-laws, members must wait four years in good standing before they are eligible to run for Branch Executive office.

This requirement, according to NPP-USA leadership, creates unnecessary barriers to active and loyal members who seek to serve at higher levels. While a one-year waiting period is sufficient to vote and two years is sufficient to run for Chapter Executive office, the four-year barrier at the Branch level is seen as excessive and undemocratic.

The reform proposal seeks to harmonize eligibility rules by lowering the waiting period for Branch Executive positions to two years, aligning with the standards at the Chapter level. NPP-USA leaders argue that this change would create a fairer system, expanding democratic participation and leadership opportunities for committed members.

The statement also clarifies that NPP-USA is bound by the constitution of the mother party in Ghana, which requires all external branches, including NPP-USA, to adhere to its rules.

According to the constitution, the National Annual Delegates Conference is the supreme governing body of the party, and the National Council directs affairs between conferences.

As such, the proposed reforms are not only lawful but also in line with the broader constitutional framework governing the NPP. Efforts to harmonize eligibility rules are fully consistent with these governing principles and should not be perceived as unconstitutional.

NPP-USA members responded to the vocal opposition against the reforms, pointing out that the critics’ focus on misrepresenting the reforms as anti-democratic is a distraction.

“The loud opposition is not about defending democracy, but about preserving the status quo and the advantages it provides to a select few,” the statement read.

Critics of the reforms, according to NPP-USA leadership, are attempting to stoke fear and misrepresent the move for inclusion as an attack on democracy. In contrast, the proposed changes are seen as an opportunity to democratize the party and make it more accessible to committed members.

The majority of NPP-USA members understand that democracy is strengthened when more voices are included, not when leadership positions are reserved for a narrow group protected by artificial waiting periods,” the statement emphasized.

NPP-USA members reiterated their firm stance that the party must prioritize fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all members. The proposed reforms are viewed as an essential step toward aligning the party with democratic principles that favor inclusivity over gatekeeping.

"Democracy cannot thrive if the gatekeepers are allowed to keep it closed to those who have shown loyalty and commitment,” the statement concluded. “We must open the door to new leaders, and we must ensure that NPP-USA is a party for all committed patriots, not just a select few.”