The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has elected a fresh set of regional leaders across all 16 regions, marking the beginning of a major restructuring effort as the party prepares for Ghana’s 2028 general elections.
The regional executive elections, held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, produced several closely contested races, with the most notable outcome coming from the Ashanti Region, where Odeneho Kwaku Appiah emerged victorious to replace the convicted former chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The elections represent the first major internal party exercise since the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections and signal the party’s determination to rebuild its structures and reconnect with voters.
Full List of NPP Regional Chairmen Elected in 2026
Based on provisional results declared by Electoral Commission officials, the following candidates have been elected as regional chairmen:
1. Ashanti Region – Odeneho Kwaku Appiah
Appiah’s victory brings an end to the Wontumi era in the NPP’s political heartland. The former chairman’s conviction on charges of publishing false news had created uncertainty about the region’s leadership, and Appiah’s win provides clarity as the party moves forward.
2. Greater Accra Region – Dr Okoe Boye
The Greater Accra election saw Dr Okoe Boye take charge of the region that houses Ghana’s capital and a substantial portion of the national electorate. His leadership will be crucial for the party’s urban strategy in 2028.
3. Eastern Region – Jeff Konadu Addo
Addo’s victory in the Eastern Region positions him to lead the party in an area that has historically been a stronghold for the NPP.
4. Central Region – Joseph Kobinah Esibu
Esibu will lead the party in the Central Region, where the NPP will be looking to maintain and grow its support base.
5. Bono Region – Kwame Baffoe
Baffoe emerged victorious in the Bono Region, bringing his experience to a key battleground area.
6. Bono East Region – Ibrahim Bukari Baba
Baba’s election places him at the helm of the party’s structures in Bono East, a region that has seen competitive political contests in recent elections.
7. Ahafo Region – Robert Sarfo Mensah
Mensah will lead the party in Ahafo, tasked with strengthening the NPP’s presence in the area.
8 Western Region – Ignatius Kwasi Africa
Africa’s victory in the Western Region positions him to lead party activities in a key electoral area.
9. Western North Region – Result Pending
The Western North election result is still awaited, with the party expected to announce the outcome following the conclusion of the electoral process.
10. Northern Region – Mohammed Baantima Adam Samba
Samba’s election places him in charge of the Northern Region, a significant area given the region’s large voter population.
11. North East Region – Alhaji Mohammed Fuseini
Fuseini will lead the party in the North East Region, a key area for the party’s northern strategy.
12. Savannah Region – Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana
Sulemana’s victory positions him to build on the NPP’s presence in the Savannah Region.
13. Upper East Region – Elvis Figo Awonekai
Awonekai’s election places him in charge of the Upper East Region, where the party will be working to expand its influence.
14. Upper West Region – Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman
Rahman will lead the party in the Upper West Region, another area where the NPP is seeking to strengthen its position.
15. Volta Region – Makafui Kofi Woanyah
Woanyah’s victory in the traditionally NDC stronghold represents a significant opportunity for the party to expand its presence.
16. Oti Region – Dr Frank Yirenkyi
Yirenkyi will lead the party in Oti Region, working to build structures in the relatively new region.
The Ashanti Region election was arguably the most significant contest in the entire NPP regional elections. Odeneho Kwaku Appiah’s victory marks the end of an era for Chairman Wontumi, who had served as the regional chairman for several years but was recently convicted by a Kumasi Circuit Court.
The Ashanti Region has historically been the NPP’s electoral stronghold, consistently delivering over 70% of votes to the party in general elections.
Appiah’s task will be to maintain the region’s loyalty to the party while addressing internal divisions and preparing for the challenges of the 2028 election.
Political analysts suggest that Appiah’s performance in the coming months could serve as an early indicator of the NPP’s national prospects. If he can unite the region, the party’s path to victory in 2028 becomes significantly more achievable.
Why the NPP Is Reorganising Ahead of 2028
The regional elections form part of a broader NPP strategy to rebuild after losing power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections.
The party has acknowledged that internal weaknesses contributed to its electoral defeat and is now taking steps to address those issues.
Regional chairmen play a crucial role in this process.
They are responsible for coordinating party activities at the regional level, working with constituency and grassroots executives, and maintaining communication between the national leadership and local structures.
Beyond internal administration, the new chairmen will be central to voter engagement, membership mobilisation, and campaign planning.
Their ability to connect with communities and address local concerns will be essential to the party’s performance in 2028.
Priorities for the New Regional Executives
The newly elected chairmen face a demanding agenda in the months ahead.
The party’s defeat in 2024 highlighted weaknesses in grassroots mobilisation. The new chairmen must rebuild trust with polling station executives, constituency leaders, and ordinary party members.
Improved coordination between regional, constituency, and grassroots levels will be essential. Better internal communication and clearer roles could help the NPP avoid the disorganisation that hampered its 2024 campaign.
The 2024 elections showed that younger voters are increasingly influential in Ghanaian politics. The new regional leaders must find ways to attract young people, address their concerns, and give them meaningful roles in party activities.
Listening to voters and responding to local concerns could help the NPP rebuild relationships in areas where its support declined. Regular community engagement will be essential.
The regional executives will eventually play important roles in candidate selection, parliamentary contests, and the implementation of the party’s national electoral strategy.
Reactions to the election results have been mixed, with some party members celebrating the changes while others have raised concerns about the conduct of the elections. Supporters of Odeneho Kwaku Appiah have described his victory as a fresh start for the party in the Ashanti Region.
The party’s national leadership has congratulated all the newly elected chairmen and called for unity and cooperation as the NPP embarks on its reorganisation journey.
The outstanding result in the Western North Region means the full regional leadership picture is not yet complete. The party is expected to announce the outcome once the electoral process is finalised.
This delay does not affect the overall significance of the elections, which have already produced a clear picture of the party’s new regional leadership.
The 2026 regional elections mark an important milestone in the NPP’s political journey. With the 2024 elections behind them and the 2028 contest approaching, the party faces significant challenges as it seeks to regain power.
The new regional chairmen will be at the forefront of these efforts. Their ability to rebuild structures, engage voters, and present a compelling vision for Ghana’s future will be crucial to the party’s prospects in 2028.
For now, the election of Odeneho Kwaku Appiah in the Ashanti Region and the emergence of new regional leaders across the country represent an important new chapter in the NPP’s attempt to rebuild, reorganise, and prepare for the next general election.
