List of political parties in Ghana

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This article lists political parties in Ghana.

Ghana has a multi-party system. However, there are two dominant political parties: the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party. It is extremely difficult for anyone to achieve electoral success under the banner of any other party.[1]

## Regulation

[edit]

Political parties in Ghana are regulated under the Political Parties Act 574 passed in 2000. This spells out how political parties may be founded, registered and operated. It also specifies how political parties may be funded in Ghana.[2]

## The parties in Ghana

[edit]

### Fourth Republic (1992-present)

[edit]

As at January 2025, there are 15 political parties according to the Electoral Commission of Ghana.[3][4] Of these, a total of 11 parties indicated their willingness to participate in the political programmes by the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation leading up to the 2020 Ghanaian general election.[5] In 2018, there were 24 political parties listed on the website.[6] There were 30 registered political parties on the list of the Electoral Commission of Ghana during the Fourth Republic in 2012.[7][8]

#### Parliamentary parties

[edit]

Name  | Abbr.  | Founded  | Leader  | Political position  | Ideology  | MPs

|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | New Patriotic Party
| NPP  | 1992  | Mahamudu Bawumia | Centre-right | Liberal conservatism
Conservatism
Liberalism |

88 / 276

|  | National Democratic Congress | NDC  | 1992  | John Mahama | Centre-left | Social democracy |

183 / 276

#### Other active parties

[edit]

The following parties were on the list of parties of the Electoral Commission of Ghana but not represented in parliament.

Name  | Abbr.  | Founded  | Leader  | Political position  | Ideology  | MPs | Last election  | Comments

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | All People's Congress
| APC  | 2016  | Hassan Ayariga |  |  | 0  | 2024 | Split from PNC
|  | Convention People's Party
| CPP  | 1949
1996  | Nana Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah[9] |  |  | 0  | 2024  | Banned 1966, reformed 1996
|  | Great Consolidated Popular Party
| GCPP  | 1995  | Daniel Augustus Lartey[10] |  |  | 0  | 2024  |
|  | Ghana Freedom Party
| GFP  | 2012  | Akua Donkor[9] |  |  | 0  | 2024  |
|  | Ghana Union Movement
| GUM  | 2019  | Christian Kwabena Andrews[10] |  |  | 0  | 2024  |
|  | Liberal Party of Ghana
| LPG  | 2017  | Kofi Akpaloo[11] |  |  | 0  | 2024  |
|  | National Democratic Party
| NDP  | 2012  | Mohammed Frimpong[10] |  |  | 0  | 2024  | Split from NDC
|  | People's National Convention
| PNC  | 1992  | Bernard Mornah[10] |  |  | 0  | 2024  |
|  | Progressive Alliance for Ghana
| PAG  | 2024  | John Enyonam Kwakwu Kpikpi[10] |  |  | 0  | 2024  | Nkrumah tradition
|  | Progressive People's Party
| PPP  | 2012  | Kofi Asamoah Siaw[10] |  |  | 0  | 2024  |
Note: The Electoral Commission indicates there are 15 parties registered at the time of the 2024 general election but does not provide a list

#### Inactive parties

[edit]

The following parties were formally active in the fourth republic but are no more registered with the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

Name  | Abbr.  | Founded  | Leader  | Political position  | Ideology  | Last election  | Comments

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | Democratic Freedom Party
| DFP  | 2006  | Obed Asamoah |  |  | 2008 | Merged with NDC in 2012[12] Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | Democratic People's Party
| DPP  | 1992  | Thomas Nuako
Ward-Brew  |  |  | 2016 | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere
| EGLE  | 1992  | Nana Yaw Boakye
Ofori Atta  |  |  | 2004 | Backed NDC in 2020 election.
Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]

|  | Ghana Democratic Republican Party
| GDRP  | 1992  | Kofi Amoah  |  |  |  | Not involved in 2020 election
Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | Ghana National Party
| GNP  | 2007  | Kobina
Amo-Aidoo  |  |  | 2008 | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | Ghana Redevelopment Party
| GRP  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Independent People's Party
| IPP  | 2011  | Kofi Akpaloo |  |  | 2012  | Dissolved in 2017
|  | National Convention Party
| NCP  | 1992  | Kow Nkensen Arkaah |  | Nkrumaism | 1996 | Merged with PCP to reform CPP in 1996[14]
|  | National Independence Party
| NIP  | 1992  | Kwabena Darko |  | Nkrumaism | 1992 Presidential only | Boycotted 1992 parliamentary election.
Merged with PHP in 1993, forming PCP
|  | National Reform Party
| NRP  | 1999  | Peter Kpordugbe  |  |  | 2004 | Split from NDC
Not involved in 2020 election
Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | New Vision Party
| NVP  | 2008  | Daniel Yaw Nkansah  |  |  | 2012 | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | People's Action Party
| PAP  | 2018  | Kwesi Busumbru  |  |  | 2020 | Not involved in 2024 election
Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | People's Destiny Party
| PDP  |  |  |  |  |  | Not involved in 2020 election
|  | People's Convention Party
| PCP  | 1993  | Festus Busia  |  | Nkrumaism | 1996  | Merged with NCP to reform CPP in 1996
|  | People's Heritage Party
| PHP  | 1992  | Emmanuel Erskine |  | Nkrumaism | 1992 Presidential only  | Boycotted 1992 parliamentary election.
Merged with NIP in 1993, forming PCP
|  | Power Unity Party
| PUP  | 2019  | Eliahu Boateng  |  |  |  | Did not contest 2020 election
Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | Reformed Patriotic Democrats
| RPD  | 2007  |  |  |  | 2008  | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | United Democratic Party
| UDP  |  | Yaw Kumey  |  |  |  | Not involved in 2020 election
|  | United Development System Party
| UDSP  | 2012  | Tetteh Kabraham Early  |  |  |  | Did not contest 2012 election
Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | United Front Party
| UFP  | 2011  |  |  |  | 2016  | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | United Ghana Movement
| UGM  | 1996  | Charles Wereko-Brobby |  |  | 2000  | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | United Love Party
| ULP  | 2008  | Ramon Osei Akoto  |  |  | Could not contest 2008 or 2012 elections  | Split from NDC,BT
Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | United Progressive Party
| UPP  | 2016  | Akwasi Addai Odike |  |  | 2020  | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | United Renaissance Party
| URP  | 2007  | Eric Charles Kofi Wayo |  |  | 2012  | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]
|  | Yes People's Party
| YPP  | 2012  | Annin – Kofi Addo  |  |  | 2012  | Certificate of registration cancelled by ECG in 2022.[13]

### Third Republic (1979-1981)

[edit]

During the Third Republic, the following list of parties contested the 1979 general election. The All People's Party was a merger of the opposition parties in parliament formed later. All parties in the Third Republic were banned following the military coup d'etat on 31 December 1981. There would be continuous military rule until after the 1992 general election.

Name  | Abbr.  | Founded  | Leader  | Political position  | Ideology  | MPs | Last election  | Comments

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | Action Congress Party
| ACP  | 1979  | Frank Bernasko |  |  | 10  | 1979 |
|  | All People's Party
| APP  | 1981  | Victor Owusu |  |  | 58*  | -- | Merger of the parties in opposition- PFP, UNC, SDF and TFP
|  | People's National Party
| PNP  | 1979  | Hilla Limann |  | Nkrumah tradition  | 71  | 1979  | Offshoot of CPP / NAL
|  | Popular Front Party
| PFP  | 1979  | Victor Owusu |  | Danquah/Busia tradition  | 42  | 1979  | offshoot of Progress Party
|  | Social Democratic Front
| SDF  | 1979  | Ibrahim Mahama |  |  | 3  | 1979  |
|  | Third Force Party
| TFP  | 1979  | John Bilson |  |  | 0  | 1979  |
|  | United National Convention
| UNC  | 1979  | William Ofori Atta |  |  | 13  | 1979  |

### Second Republic (1969-1972)

[edit]

The Second Republic spanned the period from October 1969 to 13 January 1972. This was the period when the Progress Party came to power with Kofi Busia as Prime Minister and Akufo-Addo as ceremonial President. It ended with the military coup d'état which brought the National Redemption Council military government into power. All political parties were banned.

Name  | Abbr.  | Founded  | Leader  | Political position  | Ideology  | MPs | Last election  | Comments

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | All People's Republican Party
| APRP  | 1969  | P. K. K. Quaidoo |  |  | 1  | 1969 |
|  | Justice Party
| JP  | 1970  | E. R. T. Madjitey |  |  |  | -- | merger of NAL, PAP and UNP
|  | National Alliance of Liberals
| NAL  | 1969  | K. A. Gbedemah |  |  | 29  | 1969  | offshoot of CPP as CPP was banned
|  | People's Action Party
| PAP  | 1969  | Imoru Ayarna |  |  | 2  | 1969  | merged with NAL and UNP to form Justice Party
|  | Progress Party
| PP  | 1969  | K. A. Busia |  |  | 105  | 1969  | offshoot of United Party
|  | United Nationalist Party
| UP  | 1969  | H. S. Bannerman |  |  | 2  | 1969  | merged with NAL and PAP to form Justice Party

### Independent State within the Commonwealth (1957-1960)/First Republic (1960-1966)

[edit]

Name  | Abbr.  | Founded  | Leader  | Political position  | Ideology  | MPs | Last election  | Comments

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | Convention People's Party
| CPP  | 1949  | Kwame Nkrumah |  |  | 198  | 1965 | Nkrumah tradition
|  | Federation of Youth Organization
| FYO  |  | Modesto Apaloo |  |  | 1  | 1956 | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | Ga Shifimo Kpee
| GSK  | 1957  |  |  |  | 0  | -- | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | Muslim Association Party
| MAP  | 1954  | Cobina Kessie |  |  | 1  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | National Liberation Movement
| NLM  | 1954  | Baffour Osei Akoto |  |  | 12  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | Northern People's Party
| NPP  | 1954  | S.D. Dombo |  |  | 15  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | Togoland Congress
| TC  | 1951  | S. G. Antor |  |  | 2  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | United Party
| UP  | 1957  | K. A. Busia |  |  |  | -- | Merger of all opposition parties in parliament

### Pre-Independence

[edit]

Ghanaian natives were allowed to stand for elections into the Legislative Assembly. There were elections held in 1951, 1954 and 1956 prior to the United Kingdom granting Ghana independence.

Name  | Abbr.  | Founded  | Leader  | Political position  | Ideology  | MPs | Last election  | Comments

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | Anlo Youth Organisation
| AYO  | 1952  | Modesto Apaloo |  |  | 1  | 1954 |

|  | Convention People's Party
| CPP  | 1949  | Kwame Nkrumah |  |  | 71  | 1956 | Nkrumah tradition, split from UGCC
|  | Federation of Youth Organization
| FYO  |  | Modesto Apaloo  |  |  | 1  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | Ghana Congress Party
| GCP  | 1952  | K. A. Busia |  |  | 1  | 1954  | Merged into NLM
|  | Muslim Association Party
| MAP  | 1954  | Cobina Kessie |  |  | 1  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | National Democratic Party
| NDP  | 1950  | Nii Amaa Ollennu |  | right wing  | 0  | 1951 | merged with UGCC in 1952 to form the GCP
|  | National Liberation Movement
| NLM  | 1954  | Baffour Osei Akoto |  |  | 12  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | Northern People's Party
| NPP  | 1954  | S. D. Dombo |  |  | 15  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | Togoland Congress
| TC  | 1951  | S. G. Antor |  |  | 2  | 1956  | Merged into United Party in 1957
|  | United Gold Coast Convention
| UGCC  | 1947  | Paa Grant |  |  | 3  | 1951  | merged with NDP in 1952 to form GCP

## See also

[edit]

* Electoral Commission of Ghana
* Lists of political parties
* List of political parties in Western Africa by country
* List of political parties by region

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Opposition parties initiate 'Yenpene' demo against new voters' register". Graphic Online. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
2. ^ "Political Parties Act". Electoral Commission of Ghana Online. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
3. ^ "Home - Electoral Commission". ec.gov.gh. Electoral Commission of Ghana. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
4. ^ "Political Parties". Accra: Electoral Commission of Ghana Online. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
5. ^ "Active political parties, independent candidates that will likely contest 2020 elections". GhanaWeb. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
6. ^ "Political Parties". Electoral Commission of Ghana. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
7. ^ "Profile of Registered Political Parties in Ghana". Electoral Commission of Ghana. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
8. ^ "Ghana: Political Parties registered for 2012 elections". African Democracy Encyclopaedia Project. Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
9. ^ a b "2024 Elections: Akua Donkor and two others file nomination". ghanaweb.com. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
10. ^ a b c d e f Hamdia Mohammed (16 September 2024). "Election 2024: Meet the 24 Presidential candidates". www.citinewsroom.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
11. ^ "Watch how Kofi Akpaloo was cheered on after he filed his presidential nomination forms". ghanaweb.com. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
12. ^ "DFP merges with NDC". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Enoch Darfah Frimpong (14 November 2022). "Ghana Electoral Commission has finally cancelled 17 political party certificates". Graphic Online. Graphic Communications Group Limited. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
14. ^ "ARKAAH SAYS HE CAN WORK WITH RAWLINGS DESPITE". ghanaweb.com. 1 February 1996. Retrieved 10 June 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* National Electoral Commission - Registered Political Parties
* Political Parties: A Cross-National Survey
* Political Parties and Political Participation in Ghana
* African Democracy Encyclopaedia Project - Ghana: Political Parties registered for 2012 elections
* Political parties in Ghana, their emblems and colours

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