NDC Constitution Webver
NDC Constitution Webver
CONGRESS
(NDC)
COMMENCEMENT:
19TH SEPTEMBER, 1992
MOTTO:
CHAPTER ONE
NAME, MOTTO, SYMBOL, COLOUR,
PHILOSOPHY AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARTY
Name 1 1
Motto 2 1
Symbol 3 1
Colours 4 1
PHILOSOPHY OF THE PARTY 5 1
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARTY 6 1
CHAPTER TWO
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 7 2 -3
CHAPTER THREE
MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION
Membership 8 4 -5
Affiliation 9 5 -6
Integral Organs 10 6
National Chairman/Co-Chairmen 26 26
and National Vice Chairmen
National Committee 33 28
CHAPTER SIX
NATIONAL SECRETARIAT
Structure of Secretariat 35 30
CHAPTER SEVEN
CODE OF CONDUCT AND
DISCIPLINARY CODE
Rules of conduct of Party Members 39 33
MISCELLANEOUS
Filling of Vacancies 47 42
Method of Voting 49 43
Interpretation 53 44
Transitional Provisions 44
ORGANOGRAM OF THE
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS 45
PARTY ANTHEM 46
PREAMBLE
WE, the members of the NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
(NDC)
BELIEVING in THE DESTINY OF Ghanaians to build a society which
realizes truly human values based on the full mobilization of the talents and energies of our people and the
sustainable development of the re- sources with which nature has generously endowed us;
RECOGNIZING that the requisite re-alignment of national economic and. social institutions of both private and public
character to meet national development needs is only possible given committed, capable and accountable political
leadership;
DETERMINED to provide a framework of voluntary political associations within which Ghanaians from all walks of life
and from different traditions can surmount their differences and contribute democratically to the shaping I. of this new
society;
RESOLVED to uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana approved by the referendum held on the 28th of
April, 1992; and
CHAPTER ONE
NAME, MOTTO, SYMBOL, COLOURS, PHILOSOPHY, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARTY
ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of the Party shall be NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, referred to in this Constitution as; "the
Party".
ARTICLE 2: MOTTO
The motto of the Party shall be UNITY, STABILITY AND DEVELOP MENT
ARTICLE 3: SYMBOL
The symbol of the Party shall be what is known in Akan as AKATAMANSO (UMBRELLA)
ARTICLE 4: COLOURS
The colours and flag of the Party will be BLACK, RED, WHITE AND GREEN
The Founding Father of the party is Fit. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings upon whose vision and leadership the Party was
established.
CHAPTER TWO
b. attain political power through democratic and constitutional means for the purpose of creating conditions
conducive to ensuring national development;
c. ensure the attainment of equality and fraternity of all men and women under the law without regard to
ethnicity, race religious belief, ideology, culture, social or economic status;
d. secure the right of each member of society to participate in decision making in an open and democratic
manner but deferring to the majority Interest without sacrificing minority rights;
e. ensure the establishment of the rule of law and the right of every citizen or law-abiding person In Ghana to
pursue his affairs without unlawful interference and the right of all persons to easy access and equal
recourse to the courts;
f. seek provision of free and compulsory basic education, and within the means available, provide appropriate
further/ higher education for all Ghanaians who may wish for and can benefit from it;
g. ensure the provision within the shortest possible time, to all communities in Ghana of basic human needs
namely adequate food, affordable housing, clothing, water, health care, schools, accessible roads, electricity
and telecommunication facilities;
i. strengthen economic, political and cultural co-operation with African countries especially those in
the ECOWAS sub-region; and
j. establish ties with parties and organisations, particularly those with identical political beliefs and commitment
throughout the world.
(2) The aims and objectives of the Party shall at all times and in all ways conform with the Fundamental Human
Rights and Freedoms and the Directive Principles of State Po Ii cy as enshrined in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of the
Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and accordingly the party shall pursue the political, economic, social,
educational and other objectives stated in the said Chapter 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
b. evolve programmes and actions which will realize these aims, objectives and aspirations;
d. field candidates to contest elections for seats in Parliament with a view to maintaining a leading voice in the
evolution of and national legislation, policies, and programmes;
e. do all such things as may be necessary or expedient in the g. pursuit of the above .aims and objectives.
CHAPTER THREE
(2)A citizen of Ghana may be registered as a member of the party provided that such a citizen:
b. accepts the constitution, aims, objectives policies and programmes of the Party;
(3)Membership of the Party shall be open to any organization which satisfies the conditions in sub-clause 2(b), (d)
and (f) and which is accepted as a member by the National Executive Committee given that its members shall be
individually registered with a branch.
(4)A person wishing to join the Party shall apply to a Branch by c. a list of its national officers; and filling out a
membership form.
(5) The Branch Executive at its next meeting shall either accept or both nationally and internationally. ;c reject the
application.
(6) Upon acceptance, the member will be issued a membership card such by the Constituency Executive Committee
under which such Branch falls.
(7)A subscription fee and annual dues as determined from time to time by the National Congress shall be payable by
all members.
(8)No person shall qualify as a member of the Party unless he is a member of a Branch.
(9)A member may resign his membership by formally notifying the Branch of which he is a member
ARTICLE 9: AFFILIATION
a. An organization may be affiliated to the Party and thereby be entitled to send a delegation to the National
Congress if:
b. it publicly endorses the aims, objectives, policies and programmes of the Party;
d. it accepts to pay the requisite subscription fees and annual e. dues as determined by the National Congress.
An application for affiliation shall be made in writing to the National Executive Committee and shall be accompanied
by:
a statement of all its other affiliations and organizational links both national and internationally.
(3)The National Executive Committee shall review all applications and make recommendations to the National
Congress by way of resolution.
4. Upon acceptance the National Congress shall determine the number of delegates such affiliated organization shall
be entitled to send to the National Congress.
5. The National Executive Committee shall monitor affiliations and shall submit periodic reports on the desirability of
the continued affiliation of any affiliated organization to the National Congress.
6. An affiliated organization may terminate its affiliation by notifying the National Executive Committee in writing.
a. Youth Wing;
e. Such other integral organs as may be created by the (a) carrying out Party campaigns and education; National
Congress
(2) The regulations of the Integral Organs of the Party shall be approved by the National Executive Committee and in
any case shall not be Inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution.
(3) There shall be established such External Branches of the Party
(4) The External Branches shall be co-ordinated by a Director of International Relations who shall be appointed by
the National Executive Committee.
(6) The International Relations Department shall have such staff and facilities, as the National Executive Committee
shall determine.
(7) The Director of International Relations shall perform such functions as may be assigned to him by the National
Executive.
CHAPTER FOUR
STRUCTURE
The Party shall be organized at branch, ward (polling division), constituency, district (where appropriate), regional and
national levels.
The basic unit of the Party shall be the Branch which shall comprise members resident at a polling station.
a) recruiting membership;
b) ensuring high Party support and voter turnout at all national polls; and
c) ensuring high Party remains sensitive to the grassroots concerns of the communities that the Party exists to
serve.
b) a Secretary who shall record proceedings at meetings and provide administrative services to the Branch;
c) an Organiser who shall be the chief field operator in the performance of the functions of the Branch;
d) a Treasurer who shall collect membership dues, donations and monies as may authorized by National
Congress or the National Executive Committee and deal with these as directed;
(e) a woman organizer who shall be responsible for the mobilization of women at the branch level for party activities
(f) a youth organizer who shall be responsible for the mobilization of the youth at the branch level for party activities;
(g) a propaganda secretary who shall be responsible for publicity of activities and marketing the party at the branch
level; and
2. The Executive for the Branch shall be elected at a Branch meeting called for that purpose at least one month
before the Constituency Conference.
3. Any executive member of the Branch may be re-elected to the office subject to the right of recall by the Branch
meeting.
(1) The Chairmen, Secretaries and Organizers of the Branch within a given polling division shall constitute the Ward
Committee.
(2) The Ward Committee shall appoint a Ward Co-ordinator for the ward from within the membership the Ward
Committee,
(3) The Ward Committee shall be responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the Branches within a polling division
in the implementation of the decisions of the National Congress.
(1) There shall be a Constituency Conference held once within twelve(12) months after every general election to elect
party officers at a venue within the constituency.
(2) The Constituency Conference shall be convened by the Chairman of the Constituency Executive Committee in
consultation with the Constituency Executive.
(3) Where the Chairman fails to convene a Constituency Conference, b. Vice Chairman; the General Secretary shall
direct as to the convening of such conference giving the venue, time and agenda.
b. the member of Parliament or the Party Parliamentary " candidate from the constituency;
c. members of the National Executive Committee who hail from the constituency;
d. members of the Regional Executive Committee who hail from the constituency;
a. review the activities of the Party in the constituency and plan for the Party generally in the constituency;
c. elect a candidate to contest election to Parliament on the Party ticket for an election year;
1. There shall be a Constituency Executive Committee which shall consist of the following:
a. Chairman
b. Vice Chairman
c. Secretary
e. Treasurer;
f. Deputy Treasurer;
g. Constituency Organiser;
o. Member of Parliament;
r. Five other co-opted members chosen by the Constituency Executive Committee In consultation with the
Regional Executive
2. The following members of the Constituency Executive Committee shall be elected by the constituency:
a. Chairman;
b. Vice Chairman;
c. Secretary;
d. Deputy Secretary;
e. Treasurer;
f. Deputy Treasurer;
g. Constituency Organiser;
i. Propaganda Secretary;
3. The following members of the Constituency Executive Committee shall be elected by their respective organs:
4. The members of the Constituency Executive Committee mentioned in clauses (2) and (3) shall hold office for a
term of four years and q. shall be eligible for re-election.
5. The Constituency Executive Committee shall be responsible for:
b. implementing the decisions of the National Congress, the be elected by the constituency: Regional Party
Conference and the Constituency Conference within the Constituency under the guidance of the Regional
Executive Committee.
d. nominating candidates for election by the Constituency Conference to contest elections to Parliament on the
Party ticket subject to the endorsement of the National Executive Committee;
e. conducting electoral and other campaigns that the Party is involved in at the level of the constituency; and
f. submitting a written report to the Regional Executive Committee on the Constituency Conference not later
than two (2) weeks after such Conference is held.
5. The following persons shall attend and vote at Regional Party Conference:
a. Chairman, Secretary, Organizer, Treasurer, Women's Organizer, Deputy Women's Organizer, Youth
Organizer and Propaganda Secretary from each constituency in the Region;
b, the member of Parliament or the Party candidate from the Region;
c. members of t~e National Executive Committee who hail from the Region;
d. all members of the Regional Executive Committee;
e. District Chief Executives of the Region who are members of the Party;
f. Ministers and Deputy Ministers who hail from the Region;
g. eglona Inls ers an epu y eglona In IS ers; an
h, Founding members of the Party who hail from the Region.
,
2. The following members of the Regional Executive Committee shall be elected by the Regional Party
Conference:
a. Chairman;
b. Two Vice-Chairmen;
c. Secretary;
d. Deputy Secretary;
e, Treasurer;
f. Deputy Treasurer;
g. Regional Party Organiser;
h. Deputy Regional Party Organiser;
i. Regional Propaganda Secretary; and
j. Deputy Regional Propaganda Secretary.
3. The following members of the Regional Executive Committee shall be elected by their respective organs:
a. Regional Youth Organiser;
b. Two Deputy Regional Youth Organisers;
c. Regional Women Organizer; and ..;
d. Two Deputy Regional Women Organisers.
4. The members of the Regional Executive Committee mentioned in clauses (2) and (3) shall hold office for
a term of four years and shall be eligible for re-election.
b. implementing the decision of the National Congress and the Regional Party Conference within the region under the
guidance of the National Executive Committee
c. monitoring the performance of the Constituency Executive Committees and the District Co-ordinating Committees
within the region;
d. evolving strategies for the conduct of electoral and other Congress; campaigns of the Party in the region; and
e, submitting a written report to the National Executive Committee on the Regional Party Conference not later than
one (1) week after such Conference is held.
1. There shall be a Congress of the Party to be held once every four organs as the National Congress which shall be
the highest decision making body of the Party.
2. The National Congress shall be convened by the General Secretary acting on the direction of the National
Executive Committee stating the date and venue.
3. The following shall be entitled to attend and vote at the National Congress:
a. Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Organizer, Treasurer, Youth Organizer, Women Organizer, Deputy Women
Organizer, Propaganda Secretary and one other woman from each constituency
b. all members of the National Executive Committee; Vice In an election year; and
c. the President of the Republic and his Vice where they are members of the Party;
e. past Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Republic who are members of the party;
g. Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers who are members of the Party can vote as constituency delegates
provided they are of good standing in their Constituency;
o. Such representatives of each affiliated organization as may have been determined at the preceding National
Congress;
r. The Regional Youth Organizer for each region and two other delegates from the Regional Youth Wing;
s. The Regional Women's Organizer for each region and two other delegates from the Regional Women's Wing;
t. A representative each of such other integral party National Congress may create;
u. Six representatives of each External Branch including the youth organizer; and
a. the President of the Republic and his Vice who are not members of the Party but have been elected with the
support of the Party;
b. a person who is not a member of the party .but has been endorsed by the. party as Presidential candidates and his
a. elect a Standing Orders Committee which shall be responsible for matters of procedure at the National Congress;
b. approve the Annual Report and Policy recommendations a. National Chairman or Co-Chairmen; proposed by the
National Executive Committee;
c. approve the budget for the party for the next financial year presented by the National Executive Committee;
e. consider proposals for constitutional reform or for the reform of the Standing Orders or rules and regulations;
f. consider resolutions submitted by Constituency Conferences as well as floor resolutions where these are supported
by not less than 50 delegates;
g. elect the members of the National Executive Committee as provided for under this Constitution;
h. approve the creation of integral organs of the party other than those stated in this Constitution;
1. The National Executive Committee may call a Special National Delegates Congress at such notice, place and date
and for
2. A Special National Delegates Congress shall have the same representation and powers as the National Congress.
1, There shall be a National Executive Committee which shall consist of the following:
g. General Secretary;
i. National Treasurer;
I. National Organiser;
u. Not more than five other persons co-opted by the National Executive Committee; and
2. The following members of the National Executive Committee shall Iii such purposes as it may think fit. be elected
by the National Congress at Elections to be supervised by the Electoral Commission:
b. National Vice-Chairmen;
c. General Secretary;
e. National Treasurer;
g. National Organizer;
3. The following members of the National Executive Committee shall be elected by their respective organs:
4, The National Executive Committee members elected by the National Congress and their respective organs shall
hold office for a term of four years and shall be eligible for re-election.
5. No person shall qualify to be a member of the National Executive Congress Committee unless he is a member of a
Branch and has paid his/her subscription fees and annual dues.
c. prepare and approve the manifesto of the party in time for any general elections;
e, endorse the Parliamentary candidacy of a contestant who is not a party member where the Party is not contesting
in the Constituency;
f. prepare for adoption of the National Congress standing orders and rules of accreditation for conduct of the National
Congress;
h. prepare rules of conduct and procedure for its own meetings and for the meetings of other party organizations;
I. approve applications for modification of rules of procedure or structure received from other party the National
Congress; and structures particularly at the Branch and Constituency level provided that such modifications comply
with the spirit of this Constitution;
j. settle disputes between Party organizations or officials regarding Party Policy or the interpretation of this
Constitution subject to a right of appeal to the National whose decision shall be final;
k. advise the National Congress regarding affiliation to the Party of various organizations;
I. appoint auditors to audit the accounts of the Party adopted by the National Congress are carried out; ann.ually and
present the audited accounts to the National Congress for acceptance before submission to the Electoral
Commission;
d. the Director of Administration, all of whom shall be national officers of the Party.
7. The National Executive Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary but at least once in every quarter.
8, A meeting of the National Executive Committee shall be convened by the General Secretary on the direction of the
National Chairman or upon the written request of at least one-third of the members National Executive Committee.
9. The quorum for, meetings of the National Executive Committee shall be one-third of the membership.
There shall be a Functional Executive Committee, membership of which shall be drawn from the National Executive
Committee.
The following members of the National Executive Committee shall constitute the Functional Executive Committee:
a. Chairman or Co-chairmen;
b. Vice Chairman;
e. National Treasurer;
g. National Organiser;
o. Leader of Party in Parliament and two Members of Parliament who are members of the National Executive
Committee.
2. The following appointees may attend meetings of the Functional Executive Committee:
a, Director of International Relations;
b, Director of Research;
d. Director of Administration;
3. The Functional Executive Committee shall be responsible for the overall administration of the affairs of the Party in
between National Executive Committee meetings.
4. The composition of the Functional Executive Committee shall be replicated at the Regional and Constituency
levels of the Party with the necessary modifications.
1. a. There shall be established a Council of Elders composed of not more than 17 members at least 4 of whom shall
be women.
b. Apart from the Founding Father other members of the Council shall be appointed by the National Executive
Committee.
c. The Founding Father of the Party shall be the Chairman of the Council
d. There shall be a vice chairman of the Council of Elders, who shall be elected from among the Former chairmen of
the Party.
e. There shall be established a Regional Council of Elders, composed of not more than Ten members at least 1/3 of
whom shall be women. .A person shall be eligible for appointment to the Regional Council of Elders upon
distinguished and proven service to the Party.
b. The Vice President or former Vice President who is a member of the Party
f. Not more than two former members of the Council of State who are members of the Party.
g. Not more than two former Cabinet Ministers who are members of the Party.
h. Not more than six other outstanding members of the Party who have given loyal and distinguished service towards
the welfare and progress of the Party; and I. In the absence of the Chairman the Council may elect a member to
preside.
3. a. The Council of Elders shall be subject to the decisions of the National Executive Committee, examine party
issues and advise the National Executive Committee as may be considered necessary for the well being of the Party;
b. The Council of Elders shall endeavour to resolve all disputes and differences among party members and among
the various institutions within the Party.
c. The Council of Elders shall consider and advise on all matters arising from the Party's relationship with other
Political Parties in alliance; and
d. The Council of Elders shall also offer advice on such other matters as may be referred to it by the National
Executive Committee.
4. With the exception of the Founding Father, the duration of tenure in office of members of the Council of Elders
shall be the same as those of the National Executive Committee Members are eligible for re-appointment.
CHAPTER FIVE
NATIONAL OFFICERS
The National Chairman or one or both of the National Chairmen, shall preside at the National Congress and at all
National Committee meetings and in their absence one of the National Vice Chairmen shall preside.
1. The President of the Republic who is a member of the party is the leader of the party when it is in government.
2. Where a sitting President is not elected a flag bearer, a person elected as flag bearer of the party at any time prior
to election is the leader of the party.
a. be responsible for the administration of the Party Secretariat and all Party employees;
2. The Deputy General Secretaries shall assist the General Secretary In the performance of his functions.
1. The National Treasurer and Deputy National Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe custody and accounting of
Party funds to the National Executive Committee and the National Congress.
d Investment income;
3. The National Treasurer and Deputy National Treasurer shall, with the assistance of such Finance Officers and
internal Auditors as may be appointed by the National Executive Committee;
a. prepare for the consideration of the National Executive Committee through the Finance Committee, such budget
statements, accounts and estimates as the National Executive -Committee may require;
b. make on behalf of the Party such payments as he/her may be authorized to do;
c. ensure that at all levels of Party organisation, proper books of accounts and records of all Party properties held are
kept and written reports are submitted annually to the National Executive Committee;
d. be responsible for the disbursement of the. National Funds of the Party upon the instruction of the Functional
Executive Committee given in consultation with the Finance Committee; and
e. report on the state of the Party s finance to the Finance Committee and the National Executive Committee once
every three months.
The National Organiser and Deputy National Organiser shall be the Chief field operators of the Party especially for
the purpose of recruiting membership, mobilising support for the Party and ensuring high voter turn-out at all elections
in which the Party is involved.
ARTICLE 30: NATIONAL PROPAGANDA SECRETARY AND DEPUTY NATIONAL PROPAGANDA SECRETARY
The National Propaganda Secretary and his Deputy shall be respon- sible for all propaganda activities of the Party.
ARTICLE 31: NATIONAL YOUTH ORGANISER AND DEPUTY NATIONAL YOUTH ORGANISERS
The National Youth Organiser and the Deputy National Youth Organisers, shall be responsible for organising the
Youth wing of the Party.
ARTICLE 32: NATIONAL WOMEN ORGANISER AND DEPUTY NATIONAL WOMEN ORGANISERS
The National Women Organiser and Deputy National Women Organ isers shall be responsible for organising the
women's wing of the party.
There shall be established the following Committees at te National level of the Party:
1. Finance Committee
2. Political Committee
3. Legal Committee
4. Economic Committee
5. Social Committee
6. Communication Committee
The composition, and functions of the Committees other than the Finance Committee shall be determined by the
National Executive Committee.
Members of the various Committees shall hold office for a term of two years and are eligible for re-appointment.
The role and functions ascribed to various national offices in Articles 26,27,28,29,30,31 and 320f this Constitution
shall apply to appropriate office holders in similar offices at various levels of the party structure down to constituency
level.
CHAPTER SIX
NATIONAL SECRETARIAT
1 There shall be a National Secretariat, which shall be the administrative organ of the National Executive Committee,
a, General Secretary;
e. National Organiser;
3. The National Secretariat shall have such Departments and other staff as the National Executive Committee may
approve.
1. There shall be established a National Communication Secretariat with responsibility to promote party-media
relations, publicity, public, education, information dissemination, opinion research and advertising.
2. The National Communication Secretariat shall in consultation with the Communication Committee co-ordinate the
communication strategies of the Party at all levels and develop communication .programmes for party activities
subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee.
3. The National Communication Secretariat shall be headed by a National Communication Director appointed by the
National Executive Committee.
5. There shall be established in every region of Ghana, Regional Communication Committees to undertake such
activities as may be approved by the National Executive Committee.
2. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for raising funds for the Party.
a. cause to be prepared such statement of accounts as shall be prescribed by the National Executive Committee;
b. where authorized by the National Executive Committee, raise loans or obtain overdraft facilities within Ghana for
the purposes of the Party; and
c. with the consent-of the National Executive Committee invest Party Funds as it may deem appropriate.
1. A Special Complaints Committee composed of three members shall be established at various levels of the party
structure to perform the following:
a. Receive complaints at various levels relating to acts or omissions by party office holders which constitute branch of
the constitution other than the provisions spelt out in Chapter seven(7) relating to the Code of Conduct and the
Disciplinary Code. Complaints may cover acts of illegibility which constitute abuse of position or acts which occasion
injustice to a member;
b. The Special Complaints Committee shall investigate the matter complained of and make appropriate
recommendations to the next level;
c. The leadership at the next level shall on receipt deal with the report as appropriate; and
d. The National Executive Committee shall publish guidelines to regulate the conduct of proceedings of the Special
Complaints Committee.
CHAPTER SEVEN
CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY CODE
Every Party member shall faithfully comply with and apply the following rules of conduct:
e. show loyalty to the Party at all times and in particular ensure that any confidential matters of the Party are not
divulged to unauthorized persons;
g. faithfully apply the fundamental human rights and freedoms provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of
Ghana; and
1. The discipline of any Party member shall be exercised by the respective executives of the Party at the various
levels on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee of that level.
Save that the Executive Committee at each level may suspend a member for a period not exceeding six months if in
its opinion such suspension is in the interest of the Party.
2. Where the Executive Committee suspends a member in accordance with clause 1 of this Article it shall within one
month from the date of suspension refer the matter for adjudication by e Disciplinary Committee.
3. Where the Executive Committee fails to refer the mater to the Disciplinary Committee within one month the
suspension shall lapse unless renewed.
4. The Executive Committee may renew the suspension for five (5) consecutive months only.
(5). For the purpose of clause (1), every level of the party organization except the Ward and the District shall have 3-
member Disciplinary Committee elected by the Executives at that level who shall not be members of the Executive,
within four (4) weeks of coming into office,
6. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 39(1) of this Constitution the National Disciplinary Committee may
adjudicate upon any matter referred to it by the National Executive Committee.
7. The disciplinary process shall have regard to the due process, and the rules of natural justice
8. A Party member may be subjected or may be made subject to Party discipline for any of the following:
b. anti-Party conduct or activities likely to embarrass party or bring the Party into hatred, ridicule, or contempt;
c. insubordination or negligence in the executive of lawful decisions or directives of the Party by members or officers
of the party;
e. any other act or omission likely to impact adversely on the effectiveness of the Party's policies, programmes and
strategies.
a. Expulsion
e. Fine.
10. Any member who is expelled or any person who ceases to be a member of the Party thorough the declaration of
such intention shall return all Party properties in his/her custody and shall forfeit any monies, dues or subscription
fees made to the Party,
11. Any member aggrieved by a decision at any of the various levels shall have the right to appeal to the immediate
higher level in that successive order up to the National Congress, provided that the decision of the National Congress
shall be final.
1. Any member who has reasonable grounds to believe that another member or other members of the Party are in
breach of the provisions under clause 8 of Article 38 may lodge a petition in writing to an appropriate Executive
Committee for redress.
2. a. Where the grievance is against the leadership of the Party at any particular level the petition may be lodged with
the Executive Committee of the next higher level.
b. Where the grievance is against the National Officer the petition may be lodged with the Executive Committee.
3. a. All members of the Party are enjoined to exhaust the complaints procedure contained in this Constitution before
recourse to legal proceedings or adverse publications in the media against the Party at any level.
b. For the avoidance of doubt any Party member who commences legal proceedings against the Party for whatever
reason without exhausting the complaints procedure and reliefs available under this Constitution~ shall be subject to
Party discipline under clause 8 of Article 39.
4. A Disciplinary Committee shall within 7 days of receipt of a compliant convene a meeting to consider the complaint.
5. A Disciplinary Committee shall unless an extension of time is granted by the Executive Committee, conclude its
deliberations and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee within 21 days of its first sitting for
implementation.
6 All recommendations from a Disciplinary Committee shall be by majority decision in the absence consensus.
7. In the performance of its functions, a Disciplinary Committee shall not be subject to the control or direction of any
person.
8. Any member aggrieved by the decision of a Disciplinary Committee to public elections; and may within 14 days of
notice of such decision by the Executive Committee appeal in writing addressed to the Secretary of the Executive
Committee of the immediate higher level.
9. Where a Disciplinary Committee at any level sits as an appellate body it shall be guided by the provisions of
Articles 39 and 40 of this Constitution in the conduct of its deliberations.
10. Any recommendation from a Disciplinary Committee sitting as an appellate body shall be transmitted through its
Executive Committee to the Executive Committee below for implementation.
11. Any decision by an Executive Committee to vary the recommendation of its Disciplinary Committee shall be by a
majority of 2/3 of its entire functional membership.
CHAPTER EIGHT
1. A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member of the Executive Committee of the Party at any level if
he:
a. does not meet the conditions for membership as set out in Clause 2 of Article 8 of this Constitution or
b. has been adjudged by the Disciplinary Committee of the Party to have committed fraud, any act of dishonesty or
moral turpitude or contravened the code of discipline contained in Article 39(8) of this Constitution and such decision
is confirmed by the National Executive Committee; or
c. has been convicted for an offence involving the security of the State, fraud dishonesty or moral turpitude or;
d. has been convicted of any other offence punishable by death or by a sentence of not less than ten years; or
e. is not qualified to be registered as a voter under any law relating to public elections; and
f. no member of the Party is qualified to vie for a National Executive Committee position unless the member has, prior
to seeking election, held an executive position within the party or government.
2. An office holder in the Party shall cease to be such office holder if:
a. he resigns;
c. he is removed from office in accordance with the procedure for removal of officers.
3. (a) a member who desires to contest any Party Executive position shall file nomination in appropriate form twelve
(12) clear hours to the time fixed for the commencement of the Party Conference convened for that purpose;
(b) the nomination form duly filled shall be lodged with the appropriate Party secretariat;
(c) for the purpose of paragraph (b) of clause 3 of this Article, appropriate Party secretariat refers to the secretariat of
the Party which is located at the venue of the Party Conference convened for the purpose; and
(d) the Party Executive Committee at that level shall decide on the eligibility or otherwise of any candidate.
4. The provisions on election shall also apply to elections held under Articles 16(5), 19(6) and 21 (5).
5. Office holders at various levels of the party shall be elected by simple majority of the votes cast and shall hold
office for a term Constituency Executive Committee of two (2) years and shall be eligible for re-election.
1. The National Executive Committees shall notify all Constituency Executive Committees as to the time of the
opening of nomination for the contest of primaries for the Parliamentary seat in each constituency.
2. The Constituency Executive Committee shall within seven days of receipt of such notice circulate the notice to all
Poling Divisions inviting nominations from prospective candidates.
3. At a date to be determined by the Constituency Executive Committee but guided by the overall calendar of the
Party’s political activities, all prospective candidates shall be invited to a Constituency Executive Committee meeting
to select prospective candidates that meet the eligibility criteria of the party.
4. The Regional Executive Committee shall supervise the selection process for Parliamentary candidates at the
constituency level.
5. The Regional Executive Committee and the Constituency Executive Committee shall after selecting prospective
candidates that meet the eligibility criteria of the party forward the details of such candidates to the National Executive
Committee.
6. The National Executive Committee shall examine the details of such candidates to ensure that the candidates are
indeed eligible to contest the constituency primaries after which the National Executive Committee shall endorse the
list for the !I primaries to be held in the Constituency.
7. A decision by the National Executive Committee not to endorse any of the prospective candidates during the
selection process for any constituency shall be communicated to the
8. Any short listed candidate who wins the primaries by a simple majority of votes cast is duly elected as the Party's
Parliamentary Candidates.
9. A member shall not be qualified to contest primaries for any Parliamentary seat if he:
a. is disqualified under national electoral laws from contesting for any parliamentary seat;
b. is not an active member of the party at the constituency level for the two years immediately preceding the date of
filing nomination; and
c. is for any reason disqualified from being a party member as spelt out under Article 8 of this Constitution.
10. The National Executive Committee shall issue guidelines regarding the election of Parliamentary candidates
based on the provisions of this Article.
b, If at the close of nomination only one person files nomination f as the Party's Presidential Candidate he shall be
subject to a vote out of which he must obtain 50% plus one of the votes cast. Where two persons file their nomination
the person who receives the greater number of votes shall be declared elected as the Party Presidential Candidate.
c. Where at any ballot between two candidates the votes are equal, another ballot shall be held.
d. At any ballot between more than two persons, the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes shall be
declared elected, provided that he receives a majority (i.e. 50% plus one) of the votes cast; but if no Candidate
receives such majority the name of the Candidate who receives the least number of votes shall be withdrawn; this
shall be followed by a run-off between the first-two contestants and the contestant with a simple majority shall be
declared the Party's Presidential Candidate..
e, The run-off shall be repeated in the case of a tie between the two contestants until one of them obtains a simple
majority.
f. Where there is equality of votes between candidates who receive the smallest number of votes and one of them
has to be excluded from the election under sub-clause (d) there shall be a ballot to determine which of them shall be
excluded.
g. The National Executive Committee shall in consultation with the Council of Elders issue guidelines regarding the
election of a Presidential Candidate based on the provisions of this Article
The Party's Presidential Candidate shall nominate his running mate In consultation with the National Executive
Committee and the Council of Elders.
CHAPTER NINE
AMENDMENTS
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the National Congress may amend any provisions of this
Constitution.
(2) A resolution for amendment of this Constitution except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, at any party
meeting shall not have effect unless it has been debated by the
(3) Proposals for amendment of the Constitution shall be sent to the General Secretary at least one month before the
National Congress.
MISCELLANEOUS
Any vacancies in any executive positions at any level of the Party may be filled by appointment as follows:
(I) At the national level by the National Executive Committee.
(ii) At regional level by the National Executive Committee acting in consultation with the Regional Executive
Committee concerned;
(III) At the district level by the Executives of the constituencies comprising the District Co-ordinating Committee
concerned
(iv) At the constituency level by the Constituency Executive Committee concerned acting in consultation with the
Regional Executive Committee of the region of the constituency.
Unless otherwise provided for by this Constitution, the quorum for any Party meeting shall be one-third of the
registered members of that level, body or organ.
Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, at any party meeting decisions shall be reached by consensus and
in case of failure to reach a consensus, by a majority of the votes cast.
Where on any Party matter there is no provision in this Constitution which deals with that matter, the National
Executive Committee shall, by regulations, provide for that matter to be dealt with.
This Constitution was adopted by the First National Delegates Congress of the NDC held at Cape Coast on the 19th
of September, 1992 and, subsequently amended at the 2nd National Delegates Congress of the NDC held at Kumasi
on 23rd of September, 1994 and further amended at the Fourth National Delegates Congress of the NDC held at
Sekondi on the 12th of December, 1998 further amended at the 5th National Delegates Congress of the NDC held at
Accra on the 27th April. 2002 and further amended at the 6th National Delegates Congress of the NDC held at
Koforidua on the 22nd December, 2 005 and subsequently amended at the 7th Delegates Congress at Tamale on the
16th of January, 2010,
ARTICLE 53: INTERPRETATION
Polling station and Poling division shall have the meaning ascribe to them by the Electoral Commission.
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
1. ELECTED OFFICERS
Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution all persons duly elected into any Party Executive position in anticipation
of meeting the requirements of this Constitution shall be taken to have been duly elected for the purpose of this
Constitution.
Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution an act or measure carried out in anticipation of meeting the
requirements of this Constitution shall be taken to have been duly done for the I purpose of this Constitution.
National Ghana National Executive Committee (NEC) Annual National Congress (ANC)
SIGNED
SIGNED
OATH OF OFFICE
I………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
do (in the name of the Almighty God swear) (solemnly affirm) that I will at all times well and truly serve the
National Democratic Congress in the office of…………………………………………… and that I will uphold,
preserve, protect and defend the constitution of ' the National Democratic Congress as by law
established. (So help me God).
PARTY ANTHEM