The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has begun holding elections to elect regional executives in all the 16 regions of Ghana to steer the affairs of the party towards the 2024 general election and for the next four years.
The conduct of the polls, which begins today Friday and ends on Sunday, will largely determine the continuous unity or disunity of the governing party ahead of the next crucial national polls.
Already, there are simmering tensions in some of the regions including Ashanti, NPP’s political ‘world bank’; Greater Accra, Eastern, Central and Northern, particularly with regards to the chairmanship race.
THE CUSTODIAN has gathered that whilst there will be a walk over for some incumbents, others would sweat to retain their positions due to stiff opposition from their contenders.
Ashanti region
The tension in the Ashanti regional contest is so tense that even the venue for the elections had to be moved from the Regional Coordinating Council to a different location.
Political watchers are focusing their lenses on Ashanti where the incumbent, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, appears to be sinking in his own swimming pool.
This is due to a fierce contest from his onetime pal, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly referred to as COKA.
Many observers have tipped COKA, the immediate past chairman for Afigya Kwabre South Constituency who is considered as a unifier, to unseat Chairman Wontumi.
As former chairman of constituency chairmen, COKA said his experiences through several ranks of the NPP have given him the hope and energy to lead the party to the promise land.
“My political work started as political campaigner. I was a chairman for Concerned Citizens Association, pressing for development in Ashanti Region and beyond; Ward Organiser for Subin Constituency, Government Appointee to Bekwai District Assembly, Regional Financial Secretary for Ashanti Region under Chairman F.F. Anto, and Constituency Chairman for NPP Afigya Kwabre South for many years till now,” COKA touted his political experience in a statement released on Tuesday.
He urged party delegates to vote massively for him as his experience shows that he understands the political environment and is ready to lead NPP in the region.
Greater Accra
In Ghana’s capital, Greater Accra, there will be a rematch between the incumbent chairman Divine Agorhome and Alfred Boye.
The two buddies slugged it out four years ago in a fierce contest that elected Divine Agorhome as the regional chairman, taking over from the late Ishmael Ashitey.
Eastern region
In the Eastern Region, the race is between incumbent Regional Secretary, Jeff Konadu Addo and Kwadwo Boateng-Agyeman, the immediate past constituency chairman for New Juaben North in Koforidua.
Reports indicated that Jeff was cruising to victory about a week ago until Kwadwo Boateng-Agyemang joined regional chairmanship race.
The latter resigned as the constituency chairman to contest for the regional position, having won the election in the recent constituency elections.
The two are at poll positions to grab the regional slot, with cash playing a major factor.
Central region
In the Central Region, the incumbent chairman, Robert Kutin Jnr, who led NPP to two successive victories for the party in the last two elections in the region, is being hotly contested by someone considered to be a new favourite of the people and others including Alfred Kojo Thompson.
Dr. Joseph Kobina Esibu, owner of Ideal College is the strong contender heavily tipped to unseat Kutin who is accused of being a divisive character now.
Driven by the passion to see every Senior High School (SHS) student succeed, Dr. Esibu began the model school, Ideal College, draped with a corporate philosophy that every student could be a genius and that required a conducive environment and guidance to achieve.
He has since helped a lot of students to achieve their dreams.
Northern region
The Northern Regional chairmanship position is being contested by incumbent chairman Mohammed Adam Bantima Samba, Amadu Inusah and Ibrahim Mahama.
Chairman Samba and Alhaji Inusah, popularly known as Alhaji Dagomba Boy, are the strong contenders for the race.
