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The Project Director, Democracy Project, Dr John Osae-Kwapong, has stated that the decision of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to withdraw from the Tamale Central by-election does not in any way harm the country's democracy.
He explained that competitive elections were good as they offer citizens a choice of who they want to represent them, “The people of the constituency will still be represented in Parliament”.
Dr Osae-Kwapong told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the NPP, as a political party, reserves the right to decide whether it wants to participate in an election or not.
“The basis for their non-participation is reasonable given the unfortunate and tragic nature of the death of the incumbent, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala,” he said, adding that “it is commendable that they have chosen to honour his memory this way.”The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has resolved not to take part in the by-election following the death of the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency.
The NPP at a National Steering Committee meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025, decided not to take part in any by-election to elect a replacement for the late National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
A statement signed and issued by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the decision was pursuant to Article 10(10) 1) of the party’s constitution.
It said the party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat had become vacant and the possibility of a further polarisation of the country at this critical time.
“The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive process in search of a replacement for the departed MP.
The party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided,” the statement said.
It said when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” it concluded.
As to whether the NDC should withdraw from the Akwatia by-election, Dr Osae-Kwapong said the NDC reserves the right to make that decision.
He said unfortunate as death was, “I hope the NPP’s decision was also not borne out of the expectation that the NDC will reciprocate and withdraw from the Akwatia by-election.
We must respectfully avoid comparing the two situations and using it as a basis for demanding a reciprocal gesture from the NDC.
I leave it up to the party to decide what they believe is in the best interest of the nation and their party,” he said.
Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who was also the former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, was among the eight who lost their lives in the line of duty to the nation in the helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
