The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced that it will not be fielding a candidate for the impending in the impending Tamale Central constituency by-election following the death of the Member of Parliament for the area, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala.
The MP who doubled as the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology was one of the eight persons including the Minister of Defense, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who lost their lives when a military Helicopter they were travelling in crashed in Adansi Akrofoum in the Ashanti Region last Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Consequently, the untimely death of the lawmaker has necessitated a by-election to elect a new representative of the people in Parliament in accordance with Article 112(5) of Ghana’s Constitution.
On the back of this, the General Secretary of the largest opposition, Justin Kodua Frimpong in a statement dated Monday (August 11, 2025) said that the party will not be participating in the upcoming by-election.
According to him, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.
In arriving at the decision, Lawyer Kodua noted the party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarization of the country at this critical time.
”The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided” he emphasized.
He added that, “It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.
”Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest” the Chief scribe stated.