A communications figure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region, Andrew Atariwine, has called on the party to reconsider its decision to make the position of Communications Director elective, arguing that the office should instead remain an appointed role based on competence.
Speaking on Bolgatanga-based Dreamz FM, Mr. Atariwine said appointing communications directors from the national level through the regional and constituency structures would enable the party leadership to select individuals with the technical expertise and strategic communication skills required for the demanding role.
His comments come after the NPP amended its constitution to make the Communications Director position elective, a move intended to deepen internal democracy, empower the party’s grassroots, reduce perceptions of favoritism and enhance accountability within the party’s communication structure.
The constitutional amendment requires candidates seeking the office to campaign for delegates’ votes and present strategic plans, a shift the party leadership has argued would strengthen grassroots participation and ensure greater accountability.
However, the reform has generated debate within the party, with some members questioning whether a highly technical communications portfolio should be determined through elections.
Mr. Atariwine aligned himself with those concerns, insisting that the effectiveness of the communications wing depends more on professional competence than electoral popularity.
According to him, appointments would give the party leadership the flexibility to identify and assign capable communicators who can effectively project the party’s message and respond to emerging political issues.
The Upper East communicator also threw his support behind the incumbent Regional Communications Director, Peter Ayinbisa, whom he praised for strengthening the party’s communication machinery in the region.
He said Mr. Ayinbisa had created opportunities for young communicators to contribute to the party’s media engagement efforts while providing leadership that has improved the regional communications structure.
Beyond the debate over appointments, Mr. Atariwine called for reforms aimed at strengthening the communications wing, including greater investment in research, innovation and the institutionalization of welfare support for party communicators.
His remarks add to the growing internal discussion over the future of the Communications Director position, with supporters of the elective system arguing that it promotes transparency and grassroots participation, while critics maintain that the office requires specialized skills best secured through appointments rather than electoral contests.
Meanwhile, the NPP has set Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the date for its National Delegates Conference, where delegates will elect new national officers of the party.
Source: www Kumasimail.com
