General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party Justin Frimpong Kodua has defended the party’s decision to establish new standing and sector committees, amid internal criticism over the timing and composition of the structures.

Speaking in response to concerns raised within the party, Kodua said the decision was consistent with the party’s constitution and followed deliberations by the National Council and the National Executive Committee.

He cited Article 10 (6) (2) of the party’s constitution, arguing that the National Council is mandated to populate and review such committees when necessary.

“Last week Thursday, the national elections committee and subsequently the national council met and in line with the party’s constitution… formed the various standing committees of the party,” he said during a social media briefing on Sunday (10 May).

He rejected suggestions that the party should have delayed the formation of the committees, stressing that recent constitutional amendments required immediate action.

“We cannot say that we are waiting for a later date before we constitute these committees,” he said.

Kodua explained that the newly announced structures were part of efforts to revive the party’s long-standing tradition of sector-based expertise groups, which date back to the early 1990s.

He said the committees were originally designed to provide policy alternatives to government and strengthen the party’s capacity to critique public administration.

“The sector committees were created as far back in the 1990s… when we realised that we couldn’t leave the NDC alone to govern this country and make mistakes,” he said.

“At that time, people referred to the NPP as having the men,” he said.

He noted that the committees had never ceased to exist even after the party came to power, but said the latest reforms were aimed at strengthening their relevance and expanding participation.

Kodua also clarified that the initial list circulated represented only leadership “leads” of the sector committees, not the full membership.

“The list that came out on the first day has to do with the leads of the sector committees but not the total membership,” he said.

He said full membership would be inaugurated on 25 May, after which the committees would be fully operational across key sectors of the economy.

Kodua said the restructuring process was intended to harness expertise within the party, including professionals both inside and outside Parliament.