The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all prospective parliamentary aspirants to immediately stop their campaign activities until the party announces official guidelines for its parliamentary primaries.

In a statement dated October 11, 2026, and signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party disclosed that it had received several complaints about some members who had begun campaigning in various constituencies.

The NPP described the activities as contrary to its regulations and Code of Conduct, warning that they could create an unfair playing field and undermine unity and discipline within the party.

The directive covers all forms of campaign activities, including the mounting of posters, billboards and banners, as well as the organisation of rallies, meetings with polling station executives and constituency tours to solicit support.

The party has also prohibited the distribution of items or other inducements to delegates and party members, as well as paid media and social media advertisements promoting prospective candidates.

It further directed party officers at the polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national levels, including TESCON, to refrain from promoting any parliamentary aspirant on social media platforms such as Facebook, X and Instagram.

According to the statement, party officers are also prohibited from facilitating what the party described as premature parliamentary campaign activities.

The NPP warned that anyone who fails to comply with the directive will face disciplinary action, which could affect their eligibility to contest in the party’s parliamentary primaries.

The party added that it would announce the timetable and guidelines for its parliamentary processes in due course.

It has consequently directed constituency and regional executives to ensure strict compliance with the directive within their respective jurisdictions.

The statement concluded with an appeal to all party members to cooperate with the leadership.

By: Jacob Aggrey

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says Ghana deserves commendation for the swift evacuation of 1,964 citizens who sought to leave South Africa amid fears of xenophobic attacks.

He made the remarks during an interview on TV3’s The Key Points on October 10, 2026, while responding to reports of renewed tensions in South Africa following a recent court decision concerning asylum seekers.

Mr Ablakwa observed that anti immigrant sentiments remained strong in South Africa, stressing the need for the government to act swiftly to protect Ghanaians living there.

He noted that although South Africa had experienced several waves of xenophobic attacks, the latest evacuation marked the first time the Ghanaian government had acted so swiftly to bring home citizens who voluntarily registered to leave the country.

According to him, the government ensured that Ghanaians who felt unsafe, came under attack or sought refuge at Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria and the Pentecost Church were brought home.

The minister disclosed that he had personally commended the leadership of the Pentecost Church on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama for providing refuge to some of the affected Ghanaians.

Mr Ablakwa emphasised that the evacuation exercise was conducted without political or regional discrimination, adding that every Ghanaian who qualified and voluntarily registered was eligible for assistance.

“You don’t have to show a party card, you don’t have to indicate which part of Ghana you are coming from. To us, once you are a Ghanaian, you qualify. It is a matter of right,” he stated.

He reaffirmed the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s commitment to protecting Ghanaians abroad, declaring that an attack on any Ghanaian anywhere in the world would be treated as an attack on the entire country.

The minister added that the government would continue to mobilise resources to protect citizens facing danger outside Ghana.

By: Jacob Aggrey