The New Patriotic Party (NPP) goes into its regional executive elections this weekend with fierce contests expected in several regions as the party reorganises ahead of the 2028 general election.
The elections will be held in 15 regions on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the Western North Region voting on Sunday, August 16.
The polls are expected to produce regional leadership teams that will spearhead grassroots mobilisation and organisational activities as the party seeks to rebuild following its defeat in the 2024 general election. The reorganisation will culminate in the election of national officers in October 3 this year.
The Regional Delegates Conference comprises the Regional Executive Committee, Members of Parliament (MPs), constituency executive committees, representatives of the Regional Council of Elders and Council of Patrons, as well as representatives of TESCON and other constitutionally recognised groups.
Delegates will elect the Regional Chairman, First and Second Vice-Chairmen, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Treasurer, Organiser, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser, Nasara Organiser, Communications Officer and Persons with Disability (PWD) Coordinator.
Ashanti is expected to attract significant attention, with former Afigya Sekyere South Constituency Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, challenging former Environmental Protection Agency Chief Executive, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, for the chairmanship.
Both have mounted vigorous campaigns, with COKA insisting that he remains focused on winning the mandate. The contest has generated considerable interest, with 34 aspirants cleared for various positions after vetting.
In Greater Accra, former Ledzokuku MP and former National Health Insurance Authority Chief Executive, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, faces former Regional Executive member Alfred Boye in another two-horse race.
Incumbents challenged
In Bono, incumbent Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, faces Kwabena Oppong, Evans Afari Gyan Yeboah, Yaw Afful and Joseph Mensah.
Western has Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, Ignatius Kwasi Afrifa and Kwame Opare Addo contesting the chairmanship, while Northern incumbent Alhaji Mohammed Samba faces Alhaji Inusah Amadu, popularly known as Dagomba Boy.
In North East, incumbent Alhaji Fuseini Nurudeen faces Regional Secretary Sulley Sambian. Savannah incumbent Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana, popularly known as Professor Kalamonia, is challenged by former Ghana Water Company Managing Director Clifford Braimah.
Oti has four aspirants Sherifa Sekyere Tijani, Ahenkora Collins Yaw, Frank Yirenkyi, and Evans Yaw Dapaah.
Eastern incumbent Jeff Konadu Addo faces former New Juaben North Constituency Chairman Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang. Upper West incumbent Abdul-Aziz Abdul Rahman, popularly known as Alhaji White, faces Alhassan Kanton Alaska.
Upper East has five aspirants — Elvis Figo Awonekai, Patrick Ayaba, Filson Awankua, Dr Moses K. Atinga and Osman Mahamudu Konkonana.
Bono East has Bukari Ibrahim against Thomas Adu Appiah, while Ahafo incumbent Kwabena Owusu Sekyere faces former Asunafo North MP Robert Sarfo-Mensah and Justice Appiah-Antwi.
Central, Volta
Central will be closely watched following the death of long-serving chairman Robert Kutin Jnr in December 2024. Kutin defeated Dr Joseph Kobina Essibu in the 2022 election.
Dr Essibu, a former regional treasurer and entrepreneur, is again among the prominent figures associated with the contest. Armstrong Esaah, a former regional secretary aspirant, is seeking the secretaryship.
In Volta, incumbent Chairman Makafui Woanyah is seeking a third term against former Regional Secretary Joseph Homenya. First Vice-Chairman Kenneth Kodjo Ayim faces Steve Delanyo Klu and Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce.
Sunday poll
Western North is the only region voting on Sunday. Incumbent Chairman Benjamin Armah has withdrawn and endorsed his sole contender, MaDaniels Nyame.
The elections will be watched for the personalities who emerge, the balance of power within the party and the ability of the new regional executives to unite the rank and file for the NPP’s rebuilding programme and 2028 comeback bid.
Rules
Under the party’s guidelines, the Regional Elections Committee shall supervise the election, with the Electoral Commission conducting it, and shall have full responsibility for ensuring a transparent, free, and fair election.
Security activities rest exclusively with the Ghana Police Service, and access beyond security perimeters is restricted to delegates, Regional Elections Committee members, contestants, and their accredited agents.
The Director of Elections of the NPP, Evans Nimako, told the Daily Graphic that there would be no congregation on the day of voting; hence, there would be no provision for any party executive to address delegates on the day of voting.
“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 stated.
He said no voter shall wear the colour or effigy of a contestant at the voting centre (i.e., T-shirts, caps or posters of contestants), while delegates shall not be allowed to enter the voting screen or booth in groups or in pairs, adding that voters shall leave the demarcated voting perimeters immediately after voting.
Digital newspaper access
He said delegates are to carry their identification cards (Voter I.D., Party Card, Passport, and Ghana Card) to verify their names.
Mr Nimako urged delegates to comply with all electoral laws, regulations, and rules on the day of voting.
“No individual shall have the right to either remove or insert names to replace deceased persons,” he said.
Graphic.com