In a significant turn of events ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) highly anticipated National Delegates’ Conference, it has been officially confirmed that former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will not be physically present at the gathering scheduled for Saturday, July 19. Instead, both statesmen will participate virtually in the proceedings.
The announcement was made by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, during an appearance on JoyNews’ AM Show. According to Rev. Fordjour, the two former leaders are currently out of the country on unavoidable and important engagements that make their physical presence impossible.
“Very unfortunately, former President Kufuor will not be able to attend because they are out of jurisdiction on crucial matters which unavoidably cannot make them available for the day,” Rev. Fordjour explained.
The NPP’s National Council, fully aware of the importance of the moment, dispatched a special envoy to personally engage with the former presidents and discuss the best way forward. After fruitful deliberations, it was agreed that both leaders would deliver their messages to the conference virtually, a move that the party leadership fully embraced.
“We accepted their desire to participate but acknowledged the constraints preventing their physical presence. They have agreed to join virtually, which has been accepted in good faith,” Rev. Fordjour noted.
Despite their absence, the emotional and symbolic weight of their participation will still be strongly felt, according to Rev. Fordjour. “We convened a full National Council meeting where the sentiment was clear: we cherish and desire the presence of our two former Presidents. There’s an adage that says you don’t finish meat without the father, and we truly want them to be part of what is happening,” he added with heartfelt sincerity.
Rev. Fordjour reassured party faithful that the spirit of unity and continuity remains unbroken. “We will have the spirit and virtual presence of our former Presidents solidly behind us, so there is no acrimony at all,” he concluded.
The conference, expected to draw more than 5,600 delegates from across the nation, will be held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra. This marks the party’s first major gathering since its defeat in the 2024 general elections, and expectations are high for renewed strategies and unity ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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