COKA, Kokofu battle for Ashanti NPP chair

The race for the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship of Ghana's opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is heating up, with political observers anticipating a fierce battle between Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, known as COKA, and Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency.

While 35 aspirants are vying for various executive positions, the chairmanship contest has captured the most attention due to the Ashanti Region's strategic importance to the NPP's electoral success and organizational power. This contest is a two-horse race, distinguishing it from other positions with multiple candidates. Appiah enters the fray with a strong grassroots network, built over years of party mobilization. His performance in the 2022 regional elections, where he garnered 306 votes, indicates significant delegate support and positions him as a formidable contender.

Dr. Kokofu, conversely, offers extensive public service experience, having served as a Member of Parliament for Bantama and later leading the EPA. His campaign is expected to resonate with delegates seeking administrative expertise and a leadership style capable of revitalizing the regional party. The election's outcome will likely hinge on which candidate can best consolidate support among constituency executives and polling station delegates, who form the core of the party's electoral college.

Campaign activities are intensifying across the region, with aspirants touring constituencies, engaging delegates, and using radio platforms to present their visions. The NPP regional office in Kumasi has become a hub of campaign activity, with aspirant posters blanketing the surroundings. The regional vetting committee, chaired by Second National Vice-Chairperson Rita Talata Asobayire, has cleared 20 aspirants, with the remaining contestants expected to complete the process soon. Beyond the chairmanship, competitive races are also underway for other executive positions, but the winner of the chairmanship contest is poised to significantly shape the regional executive's direction and the party's strategic preparations for the 2028 general election.