Elvis Figo Awonekai, the 2024 parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Bolgatanga Central, has been elected the party's Upper East Regional Chairman, polling 177 votes in elections held in Bolgatanga.
He defeated his closest challenger, Dr Moses Kwabena Atinga, who polled 123 votes. Filson Kweku Awankuah took 18 votes, Patrick Ayaaba secured 13, while Osman M. Konkonba got one vote.
In his victory speech, Awonekai said the newly elected executives had little time to waste as the party prepared for the 2028 general election. He said although the candidates had contested for different positions, the outcome now gave them a shared responsibility to work together and reunite the party's rank and file.
"Time is not on our side. We have an election to win in 2028," he said, adding that the new executives would hold the necessary meetings within the shortest possible time and begin work in line with the party's constitution. He said uniting the party had been a central campaign pledge and expressed confidence that the new team had the experience and capacity to prepare the NPP for 2028.
Awonekai also paid tribute to his predecessor, Anthony Namoo, for eight years of service to the party in the region. "For eight years, I have worked under him. For eight years, I have worked shoulder to shoulder with him. He has sacrificed himself for the region. He has laid the foundation," he said, adding that he would build on that foundation with the new executives to strengthen party structures, reclaim the Upper East Region and win more parliamentary seats in 2028.
He urged supporters not to treat the win as an occasion for prolonged celebration. "My concluding remarks will be that there should not be jubilation. We have work to do. We have a party to run and from here, let us get back home and prepare," he said, calling on members and supporters to unite as the new leadership begins engaging the grassroots to reclaim the region for the NPP.
Other executives elected alongside Awonekai include Ayamba Georgina as First Vice Chairperson with 241 votes and Daniel Ayine as Secretary with 181 votes. Anaane Johnson Ayikene won Deputy Secretary with 114 votes, while Asaaba Fatima was elected Women's Organizer with 142 votes. Bombande Edmond won the Organizer position with 153 votes, Dr Samuel Akonga became Communication Director with 158 votes, and Dr Daniel Ziba took the Treasurer position with 206 votes. Musah Delwinde Sally was elected Nasara Coordinator with 196 votes. The Youth Organizer and Second Vice Chairperson positions were won unopposed.
The new executives are expected to lead the party's reorganization in the region, strengthen grassroots structures and work to improve the NPP's electoral fortunes ahead of the 2028 general election.
