Dr Charles Dwamena, popularly known as Dr China, is a medical doctor, diplomat, entrepreneur and politician seeking to become the next General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The current NPP National Treasurer has positioned himself as a candidate with extensive experience in party administration, financial management, diplomacy and grassroots organisation.
As the race for the next General Secretary gathers momentum, Dr Charles Dwamena is campaigning on a vision focused on strengthening the party’s financial systems, empowering grassroots members and improving the welfare of supporters.
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Who is Dr China Dwamena?
Dr Charles Dwamena is a medical doctor by training who has built a career spanning medicine, education, business, diplomacy and politics.
He began his early education at Matase Preparatory School in the Ashanti Region before pursuing further studies in Ghana and later travelling to China for his medical training.
He attended the University of Cape Coast (UCC) before moving to China, where he trained as a medical doctor.
He later pursued further studies in the United Kingdom, including training in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), as well as additional studies in financial business and administration and political finance.
His diverse professional background has contributed to his involvement in both diplomatic service and the administration of the NPP.
NPP China branch
Dr Charles Dwamena has a long history with the New Patriotic Party, particularly within the party’s international structures.
He was among the founding members of the NPP China branch and became the first elected chairman of the branch, serving for two terms.
During his time in China, he also played a role in establishing NPP branches in other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
His efforts contributed to the formation of the NPP Asia-Pacific Caucus, where he became the first chairman.
The experience, he says, allowed him to understand how political parties can organise their members, manage finances and develop welfare systems.
After returning to Ghana, Dr Dwamena contested the NPP parliamentary primary in the Kwadaso Constituency.
Although he did not win the primary, he said he continued to support the eventual winner before returning to China.
His experience within the party’s international structures later led to an invitation from the NPP headquarters to serve as Director of Finance and Administration.
Dr Charles Dwamena served in that position during the 2016 election cycle.
He also became Secretary to the NPP’s 2016 National Campaign Committee, a position he held alongside his responsibilities as Director of Finance and Administration at the party headquarters.
The campaign culminated in the NPP’s victory in the 2016 general elections and the election of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as President of Ghana.
Following the NPP’s return to power in 2017, Dr Charles Dwamena was appointed Deputy Ambassador to China.
He has said his diplomatic assignment provided him with valuable exposure to political party financial management, welfare systems and ways of empowering party members.
According to Dr Dwamena, his experience in China strengthened his determination to contribute to the development of a financially stronger and more member-focused NPP.
He later returned to Ghana with a renewed ambition to play a greater role in the party’s financial management and welfare development.
NPP National Treasurer
Dr Dwamena contested the position of NPP National Treasurer in the party’s 2022 national executive elections.
He won the election and subsequently began working on what he described as a programme to improve financial discipline, transparency and accountability within the party, which significantly increased the party’s internally generated funds (IGF).
“As far as the IGF is concerned, we have increased it by over 10,000%,” he said, describing the achievement as one of the key accomplishments of his tenure.
He has also stressed efforts to improve transparency, accountability and financial discipline within the NPP.
Beyond financial management, Dr Charles Dwamena has placed party welfare and grassroots empowerment at the centre of his political agenda.
He has proposed several initiatives designed to ensure that ordinary NPP members benefit directly from their membership of the party.
Among the proposals is a group insurance policy that would support party members during difficult periods, including accidents.
Dr China has also proposed a Business Incubation Fund through which ordinary party members in good standing could receive support to expand their businesses.
Another proposal is a Constituency Welfare Fund that would benefit current and former party executives who have served the party.
His other proposals include a Political Mentorship Programme to train young party members and a Human Resource Empowerment Programme focused on skills acquisition.
He has also advocated support for current party executives through stipends and resources to enable them to perform their duties effectively.
NPP General Secretary contest
Dr Charles Dwamena says his decision to contest the NPP General Secretary position is driven by his desire to strengthen the party from the grassroots.
He believes the implementation of his proposed welfare and empowerment programmes would give party members greater confidence in the NPP and encourage them to become more active in political mobilisation.
According to Dr China, party supporters who directly benefit from the strength of the organisation would be more willing to campaign for the party and its candidates without waiting for financial incentives.
He argues that empowering the grassroots would help restore hope among party supporters and create a stronger foundation for the NPP ahead of the 2028 elections.
Dr China has linked his bid for the position of NPP General Secretary to the party’s ambition to win the 2028 general elections.
He argues an empowered and motivated grassroots base will be essential to securing victory for the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
According to Dr Dwamena, the NPP’s path to victory should not depend primarily on the failures of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Instead, he believes the party must focus on strengthening its internal structures, empowering members and mobilising supporters to actively participate in the electoral process.
“Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s victory will not depend on the NDC’s failures but rather on the NPP’s ability to mobilise its members,” Dr China said.
As he seeks the position of NPP General Secretary, Dr Charles Dwamena is promising to work with party stakeholders to transform his proposed policies into practical programmes.
He believes the NPP can become a stronger and more resilient political organisation if its members feel a direct sense of ownership and benefit from their membership.
For Dr China, the strength of the NPP’s grassroots will ultimately determine the party’s ability to compete effectively in the 2028 elections.
His campaign is therefore centred on three broad priorities: strengthening party finances, empowering members and building a more active grassroots base.
With his experience as NPP National Treasurer, former Director of Finance and Administration, diplomat and former chairman of the NPP Asia-Pacific Caucus, Dr Charles Dwamena is presenting himself as a candidate with extensive experience to lead the party’s administration as it prepares for the next electoral contest.