The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) goes into regional executive elections this weekend, with fierce contests expected across several regions as the party works to rebuild ahead of the 2028 general election.
Voting will take place in 15 regions on Saturday, August 15, with Western North holding its poll a day later, on Sunday, August 16. The elections are expected to produce regional leadership teams to drive grassroots mobilisation as the party regroups following its defeat in the 2024 general election. The process will culminate in the election of national officers on October 3.
Delegates casting ballots will include the Regional Executive Committee, Members of Parliament, constituency executive committees, representatives of the Regional Council of Elders and Council of Patrons, and representatives of TESCON and other recognised party groups. They will elect a full slate of regional officers: chairman, first and second vice-chairmen, secretary, deputy secretary, treasurer, organiser, women's organiser, youth organiser, Nasara organiser, communications officer and a coordinator for persons with disabilities.
Ashanti is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races. Former Afigya Sekyere South Constituency Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, is challenging former Environmental Protection Agency Chief Executive Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu for the regional chairmanship. Both men have campaigned vigorously, and the contest has drawn considerable attention, 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 is up against former Regional Executive member Alfred Boye in another tight two way race.
Several sitting chairmen also face challenges elsewhere. In Bono, incumbent Kwame Baffoe, known as Abronye, will contend with Kwabena Oppong, Evans Afari Gyan Yeboah, Yaw Afful and Joseph Mensah. In Western Region, Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, Ignatius Kwasi Afrifa and Kwame Opare Addo are competing for the chairmanship, while in Northern Region, incumbent Alhaji Mohammed Samba faces Alhaji Inusah Amadu, known as Dagomba Boy.
In North East, incumbent Alhaji Fuseini Nurudeen is being challenged by Regional Secretary Sulley Sambian, while in Savannah, incumbent Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana, known as Professor Kalamonia, faces former Ghana Water Company Managing Director Clifford Braimah. Oti Region has four aspirants in the running: Sherifa Sekyere Tijani, Ahenkora Collins Yaw, Frank Yirenkyi and Evans Yaw Dapaah.
Eastern Region's incumbent, Jeff Konadu Addo, is up against former New Juaben North Constituency Chairman Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang, while in Upper West, incumbent Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, known as Alhaji White, faces Alhassan Kanton Alaska. Upper East Region has five contestants: Elvis Figo Awonekai, Patrick Ayaba, Filson Awankua, Dr Moses K. Atinga and Osman Mahamudu Konkonana.
In Bono East, Bukari Ibrahim is contesting against Thomas Adu Appiah, while in Ahafo, incumbent Kwabena Owusu Sekyere faces former Asunafo North MP Robert Sarfo-Mensah and Justice Appiah-Antwi.
Central Region will be watched closely following the death of long-serving chairman Robert Kutin Jnr in December 2024. Kutin had defeated Dr Joseph Kobina Essibu in the 2022 election, and Essibu, a former regional treasurer and entrepreneur, remains a prominent figure in the current race, alongside Armstrong Esaah, who is contesting for the secretaryship. In Volta, incumbent chairman Makafui Woanyah is seeking a third term against former Regional Secretary Joseph Homenya, while First Vice Chairman Kenneth Kodjo Ayim faces Steve Delanyo Klu and Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce.
Western North, the only region voting on Sunday, will see a largely uncontested race after incumbent chairman Benjamin Armah withdrew and threw his support behind his sole remaining rival, MaDaniels Nyame.
The outcome of the elections will be closely watched for the personalities who emerge, the internal balance of power within the party, and whether the new regional executives can unite the rank and file behind the NPP's rebuilding effort and 2028 comeback bid.
Under the party's rules, the Regional Elections Committee will supervise proceedings, with the Electoral Commission conducting the actual voting and bearing full responsibility for ensuring it is free, fair and transparent. Security will be handled exclusively by the Ghana Police Service, and access beyond the security perimeter will be restricted to delegates, Regional Elections Committee members, contestants and their accredited agents.
The NPP's Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, told the Daily Graphic there would be no gatherings on voting day and no opportunity for party executives to address delegates before they cast their ballots. Voters are expected to walk in unescorted, except those with mobility issues who have Electoral Commission consent. No one will be permitted to wear a contestant's colours, effigy, T shirts, caps or posters at polling centres, and delegates will not be allowed into voting booths in groups or pairs. Voters must also leave the designated voting area immediately after casting their ballots.
Nimako added that delegates must bring identification, such as a Voter ID, party card, passport or Ghana Card, to verify their names, and urged strict compliance with all electoral rules. He also stressed that no individual has the authority to add or remove names from the voters' roll to replace deceased persons.
