Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, Mr. Joseph Osei Owusu has openly endorsed Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah‘s bid to become the next Ashanti Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking on Kumasi-based Fox FM, Mr Osei Owusu, fondly called ‘Joe Wise’ who is also a former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament said, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah popularly known as Asanteman COKA, has the right enthusiasm and energy to lead the NPP in Ashanti region to secure victory in 2028.
According to him, COKA, who has been a long-standing member of the party and has served as a constituency chairman for Afigya Kwabre South for many years, has the track record to build the party’s crumbled structures.
The former MP said COKA’s longevity in NPP has prepared him for the regional position.
“Odeneho has been in the party for a long time. He has risen through the ranks and knows a lot about the NPP, including most of the leaders,” he stated.
The former first deputy speaker of Parliament also said that COKA is a man who listens.
“He knows the people and the party in the region very well,” Joe Wise reiterated, outlining that those values are needed and are key to growing the party’s base in the region.
One of COKA’s traits he thinks will serve the party well is his ability to connect, pointing out that “Coka has a lot of enthusiasm. He is everywhere at the party and I love that.”
The former Bekwai MP talked about one of his fears, which remain prevalent in the party.
He expressed concern about the growing disengagement among the youth for the party and its structures.
However, he stated that COKA holds the right attitude for that and can do something to solve it.
“The youth feel enthusiastic around him (COKA), and for me, that is the kind of drive we need this time,” he emphasised.
Joe Wise was more convinced when he recalled a conversation with COKA, which he asked him about the youth and what could be done to motivate them to support NPP.
“I like COKA because of his focus on the youth, and the last time I met him, he asked me what we can do to help revive the youth in the party.”
Joe Wise feels convinced about COKA, “In my view, he has the energy and right attitude to lead because he is not chairman yet, but he is thinking about ways to motivate the youth.”
The calendar for NPP’s internal party elections has been slated from April 2026 to September 2026.
By Collins Adu-Gyamfi
