Thirty‑five aspirants vying to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region are appearing today before the Regional Elections Committee as the contest enters a decisive vetting stage ahead of next month’s delegates conference. The exercise, which may extend into Tuesday if required, will determine which candidates qualify to contest the regional executive positions.
The vetting follows the close of nominations last Friday, when 35 aspirants — 28 men and seven women — filed to compete for 11 executive roles. The most closely watched race is for Regional Chairman, where former Afigya Kwabre South Constituency Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA) faces former Bantama MP Dr. Kwabena Kokofu.
Other contests include four candidates for First Vice Chairman, three for Second Vice Chairman, three for Regional Secretary, and four for Deputy Secretary. Three aspirants are seeking the Organiser role, three for Women’s Organiser, four for Youth Organiser, three for Treasurer, four for Nasara Organiser, and two for Communications Officer.
Speaking after the close of nominations, a member of the Regional Elections Committee, Kwaku Atta Sarpong, said the vetting had been provisionally scheduled for 20 and 21 July, subject to confirmation by the committee. The Ashanti Region, regarded as the electoral stronghold of the NPP, is expected to hold its regional delegates conference in August to elect new executives as the party reorganises following its defeat in the 2024 general election.
Successful aspirants from the vetting process will proceed to the polls, where delegates will elect a new regional leadership expected to spearhead the party’s campaign towards the 2028 general election.
Source: Jonathan Ofori
