The National Women’s Organiser position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been embroiled in a fierce battle between two prominent figures: Hawa Koomson and Hajia Safia Mohammed. The contest, which began following the abrupt withdrawal of Perpetual Ekua Lomokie Akwada, has rapidly evolved from a three-way race into a two-horse showdown, largely centered around the NPP’s long-term strategic vision for women’s empowerment and electoral gains in 2028. The withdrawal of Akwada, announced on August 25th, has dramatically reshaped the dynamics, transforming a competition with three contenders into a deeply competitive struggle for leadership. The core of the debate isn’t simply about replacing the current National Women’s Organiser, Kate Gyamfua; rather, it’s a fundamental question of how the NPP’s women’s wing needs to evolve to effectively translate organizational strength into electoral success. Akwada’s departure, coupled with the increasingly prominent role of the Deputy National Women’s Organiser, has fueled intense scrutiny and strategic maneuvering, placing the two leading contenders squarely in the spotlight. The immediate question dominating the narrative is where Akwada’s supporters will go, and how this withdrawal will impact the overall field of candidates. The NPP subsequently indicated that nomination forms did not automatically constitute a valid candidacy, requiring aspirants to undergo thorough vetting and filing processes. Akwada’s decision has effectively removed one of the most vocal and politically positioned candidates who had positioned herself as a younger, more innovative voice for the party’s women wing. Her exit has removed a key strategic voice, potentially opening the door for a more focused and potentially more unified campaign by the remaining contenders. The challenge for Safia, in particular, is to demonstrate that she already understands the intricate machinery of the NPP’s women’s structure – from grassroots mobilization and women’s empowerment to coordinated constituency-level activities and maintaining a strong presence among female voters – and that her experience isn’t merely symbolic. The position of National Women’s Organiser is not simply a ceremonial role; it’s a crucial strategic position that demands constant engagement with regional and constituency structures, coordination of women’s activities, and the maintenance of a robust connection with female voters. Safia’s role will be to present herself as a capable, established figure with a demonstrable understanding of the NPP’s women’s wing, a perspective that could be profoundly influential in shaping the election’s outcome. The contest can increasingly be understood through two competing narratives. Koomson represents political weight, tested leadership, and a history of parliamentary experience – years spent in Parliament, government, and electoral politics. Safia, on the other hand, brings institutional experience within the Women’s Wing, familiarity with the NPP’s structure and the credibility of having served as deputy, a crucial element in building on this foundation. However, the question remains: what happens to the delegates who committed themselves to Akwada? Akwada has not publicly directed her supporters to either remaining candidate; rather, she has urged party members to prioritise unity, renewal, and the NPP’s broader interests. This creates a significant strategic challenge for the NPP. The election’s ultimate test will be whether the NPP’s national women’s structure can be revitalized and that Safia can effectively present herself as a capable and forward-thinking leader capable of securing the party’s continued success in 2028. The NPP has scheduled vetting of aspirants for the National Women’s Organiser position for Wednesday, September 2, 2026, as part of the broader vetting exercise for its national executive elections. For now, the race has entered its most intriguing phase, with the two leading contenders poised to deliver a compelling, and potentially decisive, battle for the NPP’s future. The election’s outcome will depend on which candidate can convince delegates that she is best positioned to rebuild the party’s women’s wing, reconnect it with Ghanaian women, and ultimately, lead the NPP back to power in 2028. The NPP’s national women’s structure stretches from the national level through regional and constituency organisations, and the position represents a critical element in the party’s overall strategy for regaining political dominance.
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Source: Adom Online
