The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is heading into its crucial regional executive elections this weekend, setting the stage for a nationwide reorganization ahead of the 2028 general election.
Voting will take place in 15 regions on Saturday, August 15, 2026, while the Western North Region will hold its election a day later.
The regional polls form part of a wider reorganisation following the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election. The exercise will eventually lead to the election of national officers on October 3.
Ashanti, Greater Accra draw attention
The Ashanti Region is shaping up as one of the biggest battlegrounds.
Former Afigya Sekyere South Constituency Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, is contesting the chairmanship against former Environmental Protection Agency Chief Executive Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu.
Both have campaigned aggressively, with 34 aspirants cleared to contest the 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 a two horse contest.
The stakes extend beyond individual victories. The successful candidates will inherit the responsibility of rebuilding regional structures and keeping constituencies active between elections.
Incumbents face stiff challenges
A number of sitting regional chairmen are defending their positions.
In Bono, incumbent Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, faces Kwabena Oppong, Evans Afari Gyan Yeboah, Yaw Afful and Joseph Mensah.
The Western Region race features Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, Ignatius Kwasi Afrifa and Kwame Opare Addo.
Northern Region Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Samba is being challenged by Alhaji Inusah Amadu, popularly known as Dagomba Boy.
In the North East Region, incumbent Alhaji Fuseini Nurudeen faces Regional Secretary Sulley Sambian, while Savannah Chairman Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana, popularly known as Professor Kalamonia, is up against former Ghana Water Company Managing Director Clifford Braimah.
The Eastern Region will see incumbent Jeff Konadu Addo contest against former New Juaben North Constituency Chairman Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang.
Upper West incumbent Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, popularly known as Alhaji White, is being challenged by Alhassan Kanton Alaska.
The races are equally crowded elsewhere. Oti has four chairmanship aspirants, while five candidates are competing for the position in the Upper East Region.
Bono East has a two horse contest between Bukari Ibrahim and Thomas Adu Appiah.
In Ahafo, incumbent Kwabena Owusu Sekyere faces former Asunafo North MP Robert Sarfo Mensah and Justice Appiah Antwi.
Central and Volta in focus
The Central Region contest carries its own history following the death of longtime regional chairman Robert Kutin Jnr in December 2024.
Kutin had defeated Dr Joseph Kobina Essibu in the 2022 regional elections. Dr Essibu, a former regional treasurer and entrepreneur, is again among the prominent figures linked to the current contest.
The secretaryship is also attracting interest, with former regional secretary aspirant Armstrong Esaah seeking the position.
In Volta, incumbent Chairman Makafui Woanyah is pursuing a third term against former Regional Secretary Joseph Homenya.
The first vice chairmanship is also contested, with Kenneth Kodjo Ayim facing Steve Delanyo Klu and Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce.
Western North votes on Sunday
Western North is the only region scheduled to vote on Sunday, August 16.
Incumbent Chairman Benjamin Armah has withdrawn from the race and endorsed his sole remaining contender, MaDaniels Nyame.
That leaves the contest without the direct challenge seen in many other regions.
Regional polls set the tone for 2028
The new executives will have little time to settle into their positions before the party’s attention turns increasingly towards the 2028 election.
Delegates will elect regional chairmen, first and second vice chairmen, secretaries, treasurers, organisers, women’s organisers, youth organisers, Nasara organisers, communications officers and PWD coordinators.
The regional delegates include members of regional executive committees, MPs, constituency executives, representatives of the Regional Council of Elders and Council of Patrons, TESCON representatives and other constitutionally recognised groups.
The Regional Elections Committee will supervise the process, with the Electoral Commission conducting the elections.
For the NPP, however, the bigger issue is what happens after the ballot boxes are packed away.
The party needs regional structures capable of mobilising supporters, resolving internal disputes and reconnecting with voters after its 2024 defeat. The personalities emerging from this weekend’s contests will have a significant hand in that task.
The regional elections are therefore more than another internal party exercise. They are the first major test of the NPP’s organisational reset as the party begins positioning itself for 2028.
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