NPP elects regional executives as party rebuilds ahead of 2028 election
Ghana's main opposition NPP is choosing new regional leaders in a key test of its efforts to recover from its 2024 election defeat, rebuild party unity and prepare for a tougher fight in 2028.
The opposition New Patriotic Party is electing new regional executives across Ghana as it seeks to rebuild its organisation and improve its chances in the 2028 general election.
NPP members in 15 of the country's 16 regions are voting on Saturday, with the Western North Region scheduled to hold its elections on Sunday.
The contests are particularly competitive in some regions, including Greater Accra and the Northern Region, where several candidates are seeking key leadership positions.
Greater Accra contest
In Greater Accra, 730 delegates from 32 constituencies are expected to vote at the WAEC Hall in Tema Community 5.
A total of 36 candidates are contesting 10 regional executive positions.
The regional elections officer, Ebenezer Doku, said voting began at 08:00 and was scheduled to close at 14:00.
He said delegates who were already in the queue at closing time would be allowed to vote.
Mr Doku described the process as peaceful and orderly, saying no major complaints had been received from candidates.
"So far, it's smooth. We've not encountered any difficulties. No acrimony," he said.
Each constituency was expected to provide 19 delegates, although Ablekuma West has 11 because it recently held
its constituency election and has not completed its delegate list.
The electoral college also includes members of the regional executive committee, eligible MPs, members of the Regional Council of Elders and Patrons, representatives of accredited institutions and members of the Tertiary Students Confederacy Network.
Election officials said safeguards were in place to prevent people eligible to vote under more than one category from voting twice.
Battle for regional leadership
The Greater Accra chairmanship is being contested by Alfred Boye and former Ledzokuku MP Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye.
Mr Boye has campaigned on an economic development agenda, including promoting entrepreneurship and skills development.
Dr Okoe-Boye's campaign is centred on "Greater Accra Restoration", with an emphasis on rebuilding party unity and reversing the NPP's electoral decline in the region.
Other closely contested positions include regional secretary, organiser, youth organiser, women's organiser and communications officer.
The elections come at an important time for the NPP, which lost the presidency and a significant number of parliamentary seats to the governing National Democratic Congress in the 2024 election.
The new regional executives will be expected to strengthen party structures and mobilise support ahead of 2028.
Northern Region focuses on unity
In the Northern Region, 410 delegates from 18 constituencies are expected to vote at the Tamale Sports Stadium.
The regional chairmanship is being contested by incumbent Mohammed Bantama Samba, Amadu Inusah, popularly known as "Dagomba Boy", Salifu Abdul Mumin and Musah Fuseini.
Other positions, including first vice-chairman, secretary, women's organiser and deputy secretary, are also being contested.
The chairman of the Northern Regional Elections Committee, Salifu Saeed, urged delegates to choose candidates capable of bringing the party together.
"Unity is what we are looking for after the election. We have to do the election peacefully so that our unity will be stronger than before," he said.
He also urged candidates to accept the results and called on party members to avoid internal disagreements that could weaken the NPP's electoral prospects.
The new regional executives will be responsible for leading the party's organisational activities in their respective regions as the NPP begins preparations for the 2028 general election.