The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western Region has witnessed a major shake-up following the election of a new set of regional executives, with almost all incumbent office holders swept aside in what could signal a significant change in the political direction of the party ahead of the 2028 general election.
The only notable incumbent to survive the electoral upheaval was the Regional Organizer, Yaw Amoabeng, who retained his position, while the rest of the sitting executives who sought re-election were defeated.
The results, which have triggered discussions within party circles about the mood of the grassroots, saw Ignatius Kwasi Afrifa, a former Parliamentary candidate emerge as Regional Chairman after securing 265 votes to beat Abdul Ganiu, who polled 102 votes. One ballot was rejected.
Afrifa’s decisive victory marked one of the clearest indications of the appetite for change among delegates, particularly as his main contender, Ganiu Mohammed, had returned to the contest after previously losing his position as Regional Organizer.
Bonzo’s revenge victory
One of the most closely watched contests was the battle for the Regional Secretary position, where KwasiBonzo, popularly known as Bonzo K and a former DCE for Ellembelle staged a remarkable comeback to defeat incumbent OkatakyieAmankwaAfrifa.Bonzo secured 211 votes against Amankwa’s 157.
His victory is likely to be interpreted within the party as a measure of the strength of the grievances that surrounded his earlier disqualification from the contest. Bonzo had initially been disqualified, but subsequently appealed to the NPP’s Steering Committee, which reinstated him to contest the election.
His eventual victory over the incumbent therefore carries a strong element of political symbolism, with some party members describing it as a form of revenge for what he went through during the controversial disqualification episode.
Organiser survives, others fall
The Regional Organizer position was the exception to the general rejection of incumbency.
Yaw Amoabeng retained the position after defeating his challengers, a development that has generated considerable interest among party activists.
His survival has been attributed in some party circles to a number of factors, including his longstanding political networks and roots within the middle-belt communities of the region.
The result, however, also demonstrates that delegates did not apply a blanket rejection of incumbents, but appeared to make individual choices based on the candidates and their perceived performance.
For Deputy Secretary, Lawrence KojoAppiahTakyi emerged victorious with 157 votes, ahead of Malick Haclik Botchwey, who obtained 106 votes. Thomas Amoah polled 80, while Anthony Annor had 26.
Youth and Women’s wings change hands
The party’s youth wing also produced a new leadership, with Osagyefo Atiah Kwaw securing a commanding 197 votes to become Regional Youth Organizer. He defeated Prince Kuntu-Blankson, who obtained 100 votes, Boadi Augustine Minlah with 67 and Frederick Kumah with four votes.
In the women’s contest, Augustine Nketsiah emerged victorious with 193 votes against Josephine YaaOdoom’s 173 votes. One ballot was rejected. The result represents another important change in the regional executive structure, with delegates opting for new leadership in key organisational positions.
Communication, Treasurer and NASARA
Emmanuel EssahAcquah was elected Regional Communication Officer with 212 votes, defeating incumbent IssahFuseini, who polled 152, while David Ackah-Miezah secured only three votes.The Treasurer position went to Nana AdjoaAppiah, who won convincingly with 262 votes against James AsieduKainyiah’s 160.
For NASARA, Alhaji Adam Harun Ahmed emerged victorious, securing 190 votes against AlhajiLabib Imam Ali’s 177 votes. The scale of the changes makes the Western Region results more than an ordinary internal party election.
The defeat of virtually the entire incumbent executive raises questions about delegate satisfaction with the previous administration and whether the results represent a broader demand for a new political strategy.
The Western Region remains strategically important to the NPP, both in terms of its electoral strength and its contribution to the party’s national political fortunes.
The emergence of a largely new executive team therefore comes at a critical time, as the party begins the process of rebuilding following its defeat in the 2024 general election and positioning itself for the 2028 contest.
The new Chairman, Afrifa, will consequently inherit a party structure in which delegates have clearly demonstrated a preference for change.
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