The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is poised for a weekend of intense internal democracy as it holds its regional executive elections across the country, setting the stage for a critical organizational overhaul following its defeat in the 2024 general election.
The elections, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, in 15 regions—with Western North voting on Sunday, August 16—are expected to reshape the party’s grassroots machinery. The outcome will determine the regional leadership teams tasked with spearheading mobilization and rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general election. This reorganisation is a precursor to the national delegates’ conference scheduled for October 3, where national officers will be elected.
The Battle for Ashanti: COKA vs. Kokofu
The Ashanti Region, the NPP’s traditional stronghold, is attracting the most attention with a fierce two-horse race for the chairmanship. The contest pits Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, a former constituency chairman for Afigya Sekyere South, against Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, a former Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Both candidates have waged vigorous campaigns, crisscrossing the region to court delegates. COKA has positioned himself as a grassroots organizer, insisting he remains focused on winning the mandate to revitalize the party at the local level. Dr. Kokofu, on the other hand, brings a blend of administrative experience and political pedigree to the race. The contest has generated significant interest, with 34 aspirants cleared for various positions after a rigorous vetting process.
Greater Accra: Okoe-Boye vs. Alfred Boye
In the Greater Accra Region, a similarly compelling contest is unfolding. Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, a former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku and ex-Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), is squaring off against Alfred Boye, a seasoned regional executive member. The battle for the chairmanship here is seen as a clash between technocratic governance and long-standing party organizing, with both men seeking to assert control over the party’s operations in the nation’s capital.
Incumbents Face Tough Challenges Nationwide
While Ashanti and Greater Accra dominate headlines, several other regions feature high-stakes contests where incumbents are fighting to retain their positions:
· Bono: Incumbent Kwame Baffoe, widely known as ‘Abronye’, faces a crowded field of challengers including Kwabena Oppong, Evans Afari Gyan Yeboah, Yaw Afful, and Joseph Mensah.
· Western: A three-way battle for the chairmanship pits Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed against Ignatius Kwasi Afrifa and Kwame Opare Addo.
· Northern: Alhaji Mohammed Samba, the incumbent, is challenged by Alhaji Inusah Amadu, popularly known as ‘Dagomba Boy’.
· North East: Incumbent Alhaji Fuseini Nurudeen faces a stiff test from his own Regional Secretary, Sulley Sambian.
· Savannah: Incumbent Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana, popularly called ‘Professor Kalamonia’, is challenged by Clifford Braimah, a former Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company.
· Oti: The race is wide open with four aspirants vying for the chairmanship: Sherifa Sekyere Tijani, Ahenkora Collins Yaw, Frank Yirenkyi, and Evans Yaw Dapaah.
· Eastern: Incumbent Jeff Konadu Addo is seeking re-election against Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang, a former constituency chairman for New Juaben North.
· Upper West: Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Abdul Rahman, known as ‘Alhaji White’, faces Alhassan Kanton Alaska.
· Upper East: A five-way contest is set with Elvis Figo Awonekai, Patrick Ayaba, Filson Awankua, Dr. Moses K. Atinga, and Osman Mahamudu Konkonana all in the running.
· Bono East: Bukari Ibrahim is challenging Thomas Adu Appiah.
· Ahafo: Incumbent Kwabena Owusu Sekyere is defending his seat against Robert Sarfo-Mensah, a former Asunafo North MP, and Justice Appiah-Antwi.
A New Era in Central and Volta
The Central Region elections will be particularly poignant, following the death of long-serving chairman Robert Kutin Jnr in December 2024. Kutin had famously defeated Dr. Joseph Kobina Essibu in the 2022 election. Dr. Essibu, a former regional treasurer and entrepreneur, is now back as a prominent contender, seeking to fill the void left by his former rival. Armstrong Esaah, a former regional secretary aspirant, is also making a bid for the secretaryship.
In the Volta Region, incumbent Chairman Makafui Woanyah is seeking an unprecedented third term against former Regional Secretary Joseph Homenya. The race for First Vice-Chairman sees Kenneth Kodjo Ayim facing off against Steve Delanyo Klu and Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce.
Western North: Sole Contestant as Incumbent Withdraws
The Western North Region will hold its elections on Sunday, August 16. In a surprising development, incumbent Chairman Benjamin Armah has withdrawn from the race and endorsed his sole contender, MaDaniels Nyame, effectively handing him the chairmanship.
Election Rules and Stakes
The elections are being supervised by the Regional Elections Committee with the Electoral Commission conducting the polls. To ensure transparency, security is under the exclusive purview of the Ghana Police Service, with access restricted strictly to delegates, committee members, contestants, and their accredited agents.
NPP Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, emphasized strict adherence to protocols to ensure a credible process. “There will be no congregation on the day of voting; hence, there will be no provision for any party executive to address delegates,” he stated. “Voters are expected to ‘walk in’ freely by themselves. No delegate shall be escorted to the voting screen except those with mobility issues and with Electoral Commission consent.”
He further warned that delegates must not wear the colors, effigies, or campaign materials of any contestant to the voting center, adding that voting booths must be used individually. Delegates are required to carry valid identification cards—Voter I.D., Party Card, Passport, or Ghana Card—for verification. Mr. Nimako also stressed that no individual has the right to remove or insert names to replace deceased persons on the register.
As the NPP looks to turn the page on its 2024 loss, these elections will be scrutinized not just for the personalities who emerge, but for the balance of power within the party and the ability of the new regional executives to unite the rank and file. The results will set the tone for the party’s rebuilding programme and its ambition to reclaim power in 2028.
