Senior Lecturer at the UPSA Law School and member of the NPP Legal Directorate, Ishaq Ibrahim ESQ, has questioned the intent and legal basis of a lawsuit challenging internal democratic practices in political parties.
Speaking on GHToday with Lily Mohammed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Ibrahim highlighted the timing of the suit as raising questions about the motives behind it.
“When you look at the timing, you can impute a motive,” he stated, suggesting the case appears less about constitutional breaches and more about dissatisfaction with party structures.
The lawsuit argues that democratic principles require all party members to vote in internal elections. Ibrahim, however, noted that Ghana’s Constitution does not explicitly mandate this. “They are tying it to democratic principles, not any specific constitutional provision,” he said.
Emphasizing the gradual nature of democratic development, Ibrahim explained, “Principles are aspirations. They are not legally mandatory,” adding that societies realize these ideals over time.
He pointed to historical examples in Britain and the United States, where suffrage and party nomination systems evolved slowly. “Even today, there is no one-size-fits-all democracy,” he said.
Ibrahim drew on his own experience within the NPP, noting that despite decades of membership, he does not have voting rights in certain internal elections.
“If this is unconstitutional, then I should have a case,” he remarked, highlighting the complexities of defining internal party democracy.
Referencing the involvement of prominent figures such as Professor Frimpong-Boateng and Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, Ibrahim stressed the political weight of the lawsuit but cautioned against courts overstepping in party affairs.
“Democracy is not built overnight,” he said. “It is a process, not something a court can impose instantly.”
While Ibrahim acknowledged that broader participation is desirable, he reiterated that democratic evolution is gradual and cannot be rushed by judicial intervention.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
