Political defections and party breakaways have played a significant role in shaping Ghana’s political history, with some altering the balance of power and redefining political alliances.

From the struggle for independence to the Fourth Republic, prominent politicians have at various points abandoned established political organisations, broken away to form new parties, or crossed political lines to join their former opponents.

Some of these moves have involved individuals holding or seeking some of the highest political offices in the country, while others have resulted in the creation of political parties that went on to influence national elections and the direction of Ghanaian politics.

This article takes a look at some politicians responsible for the most significant political defections and breakaways in the country’s history, including Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s split from the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), as well as, other major realignments that have shaped the political landscape.

Dr Kwame Nkrumah:

Perhaps the greatest political defection in Ghana’s history led to the country’s independence on March 6, 1957, and subsequently becoming a republic on July 1, 1960.

Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, broke away from the political party that financed his return to the then Gold Coast to help with the country’s independence struggle, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), to form his own political party, the Convention People's Party (CPP).



Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was the General Secretary of the UGCC, broke away from the party in 1949 to form the CPP because of a disagreement over the pace and methods of the independence struggle, with him wanting Ghana’s independence immediately.

William Ofori Atta aka Paa Willie:



Another interesting defection in Ghana’s political history was that of William Ofori Atta, a leading figure of the United Party tradition, who broke away and established the United National Convention (UNC) in 1978.

According to multiple reports, Paa Willie broke away over disagreements over the direction of the political tradition and who should be included in the political movement.

Kow Nkensen Arkaah:



The Fourth Republic of Ghana has seen a number of political defections, but perhaps the most dramatic among them is that of Kow Nkensen Arkaah, a Vice President of Ghana, who defected to join the largest opposition political party.

Arkaah, who was the leader of the National Convention Party (NCP), became the Vice President of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings after the NCP entered an alliance with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 1992 election.

However, while he was still Vice President, his relationship with Rawlings deteriorated; ahead of the 1996 election, which led to him moving into the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to become the running mate of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The Flagstaff House Kitchen Brawl: A story of Nkrumah’s fight with his bodyguard who was trying to kill him

Freddie Blay:



Another notable defection in the Fourth Republic was by former National Chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay.

Blay, a leading figure in the CPP and a Member of Parliament on the party’s ticket, defected to the NPP in 2011.

He subsequently became the First National Vice Chairman of the NPP and later National Chairman of the party.

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings:



The Fourth Republic also saw the wife of a founder of a party leaving the party to form her own political party.

The late former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the wife of the founder of the NDC, the late JJ Rawlings, who played key roles in her husband's party, left the party to form her own in 2012.

Agyeman left the NDC to form the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2012 after she lost the party’s presidential primaries to become its flagbearer for the 2012 general election.

Alan Kyerematen:



The last intriguing political defection is by Alan Kyerematen, a leading member of the NPP, who had played key roles in the party and its governments. He broke away in 2023.

Alan resigned from the party and announced his intention to contest the 2024 presidential election as an independent candidate under the Movement for Change.

He has now formed a political party called the Unity Party (UP).

BAI/VPO

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