NPP Reorganizes for 2028 Election Bid as Okoe-Boye and COKA Secure Key Regional Chairmanships

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has successfully completed its regional executive elections across Ghana, marking a critical milestone in the party's strategic reorganization aimed at reclaiming power in the 2028 general elections. Following its defeat in 2024 to President John Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), the NPP leadership has emphasized that these internal polls are essential for revitalizing party structures and grassroots mobilization. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party's flagbearer and former Vice President, joined other party stalwarts in urging the newly elected executives to prioritize unity over individual ambitions, describing the elections as the foundation for a robust national campaign.

Significant leadership shifts occurred in key regions during the August 15-16 polls. In the Greater Accra Region, former Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye secured a decisive victory over Alfred Boye, garnering 488 votes. In the Ashanti Region—a critical stronghold for the party—Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, was elected chairman after defeating Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu. Other notable victories included Ignatius Kwesi Afrifa in the Western Region and the retention of positions by incumbents like Kwame Baffoe in the Bono Region. The newly elected officers have been tasked with addressing the governance and accountability issues cited by party critics as the primary factors behind the 2024 electoral loss.

A recurring theme among the new executives is the enforcement of party discipline to prevent internal friction. Ashanti Regional Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah has notably cautioned members against premature campaigning for parliamentary seats, specifically directing aspirants to stop using titles like "incoming MP" until official nominations open. This sentiment was echoed by national figures such as Boakye Agyarko, an aspiring National Chairman, who pledged to rebrand the NPP into a formidable electoral machine. Meanwhile, outgoing Greater Accra Chairman Divine Agorhom highlighted the need for better stakeholder support, admitting that a lack of collaboration with some appointees had hindered his tenure, a challenge he urged his successor to overcome through inclusive leadership.

As the party prepares for its national executive elections scheduled for October 3, 2026, recent data suggests a competitive outlook for the opposition. A nationwide survey by Africa Policy Lens indicates that Dr. Bawumia holds a significant lead over potential NDC contenders in hypothetical matchups, with voter support ranging between 45.7% and 49.9%. The poll reveals that Ghanaian voters are primarily focused on personal character, job creation, and the cost of living—issues the NPP intends to center in its 2028 platform. By consolidating its internal leadership and focusing on these economic concerns, the NPP aims to present a united front to challenge the NDC’s governance in the next electoral cycle.