Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Jalil Ateku, has proposed a leadership structure that would make a political party’s flagbearer the leader of the party whenever it is in opposition, while a sitting president would remain the party’s leader when the party is in government.
His comments come as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares for its National Delegates Conference, where delegates will consider proposed constitutional amendments.
Among the proposals is a recommendation to designate the party’s flagbearer as its leader, rather than the National Chairman, as stipulated in the current constitution.
According to Dr. Ateku, the party’s flagbearer, having secured the mandate through the party’s internal electoral process, should automatically assume the role of party leader when the party is in opposition.
“In my view, the flagbearer should become the leader of the party once he or she has been elected. If the party wins the national election, the president naturally continues as the leader of the party throughout his or her presidency,” he said.
Dr. Ateku, however, argued that where a party has not yet elected a flagbearer after losing power, the National Chairman should assume the leadership role until a new flagbearer is chosen.
“If the party loses an election, it will eventually elect a new flagbearer. Until that happens, the National Chairman should continue to lead the party. That arrangement provides continuity and avoids any uncertainty over who is in charge,” he stated.
