The contest for control of the National Democratic Congress’ regional structures is underway, with several incumbent chairpersons seeking to retain their positions against challengers in the party’s ongoing internal elections.
The elections are a major stage in the NDC’s reorganisation, as the party seeks to consolidate its structures and prepare its regional leadership for the 2028 general elections.
Greater Accra is among the regions attracting attention, with incumbent chairman Emmanuel Nii Ashie-Moore facing three challengers: Michael Tetteh Kwetey, Ibrahim Jajah and Benjamin Danso.
The contest forms part of a broader election involving 77 candidates vying for 15 executive positions. More than 1,200 delegates are expected to take part in the regional exercise.
In Ashanti, Augustus Nana Kwasi Andrews is seeking to extend his tenure as regional chairman for a third term. His main challenger is outgoing Regional Organiser Isham Alhassan Yaw Bonsu.
Andrews has made the party’s electoral gains in the region a key part of his campaign, pointing to the increase in NDC parliamentary seats from four in 2020 to seven in 2024 and its presidential vote share of more than 30 per cent.
The Western Region presents another significant contest, with Nana Kojo Toku seeking to retain the chairmanship against Kwame Bolu and former Member of Parliament George Arthur.
Toku’s supporters have referenced the party’s 2024 parliamentary performance, when the NDC won 15 of the region’s 17 seats.
Beyond the three regions, the Oti Region has 46 aspirants competing for 15 positions, with 337 delegates expected to vote at Bueman Senior High School in Jasikan. The Central Region is holding its elections at Dunkwa-on-Offin.
The regional executives emerging from the exercise will be expected to coordinate party operations, manage internal affairs, strengthen constituency structures and lead mobilisation efforts ahead of the next general election.
The Electoral Commission is overseeing the polls, with security provided by the Ghana Police Service-led National Election Security Taskforce. Voting is scheduled to take place between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with proxy voting prohibited.
The elections follow the party’s branch and constituency-level exercises, which, according to NDC Elections Committee spokesperson Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, have produced more than 380,000 executives.
The party’s national leadership elections are scheduled for December 19, 2026, following the National Youth and Women’s Conference on December 12. More than 9,000 delegates are expected to elect the national executives.
