For a newcomer to Ghanaian politics, the Ashanti Region feels like a political heartland. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) – a centre‑right, liberal‑conservative party that has dominated Ghanaian elections since the early 1990s – treats the region as its most reliable base. The region, home to over five million people and famed for its gold and cocoa, accounts for roughly one‑sixth of the nation’s electorate and has historically delivered the bulk of the party’s parliamentary seats【k_fa6b3f1910b1107f】【k_661beae8773d2997】.
The contest boiled down to a two‑horse race. Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, better known as COKA, had built his reputation in the party’s grassroots. His challenger, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, brought a different résumé: a former Member of Parliament for Bantama and a former chief executive of the Environmental Protection Agency. Both men entered the race with distinct strengths—COKA’s deep local networks versus Kokofu’s administrative experience【w_6e0dc259877a9d75】【w_db13df64add38dc9】.
COKA’s campaign was marked by swagger. He suggested, unverified, that he expected a high share of the votes, indicating confidence in strong support among delegates. Kokofu, while less vocal about percentages, leaned on his record in parliament and the EPA to persuade delegates that experience mattered. The race drew intense attention across the region, with candidates criss‑crossing constituencies, holding rallies, and leveraging radio slots to outline their visions for the party’s future【w_6e0dc259877a9d75】【w_db13df64add38dc9】.
When the delegates cast their ballots in mid‑August, provisional results showed COKA winning by a decisive margin over Kokofu, securing a clear majority of the votes.【w_1769380713369770】【w_db13df64add38dc9】【w_912365d6ab4db655】【w_52d32b4b01934867】【w_96c670349ba6e741】【w_4971d41585b60b23】.
Immediately after the count, COKA called for party cohesion, urging members to unite to win power.【w_52d32b4b01934867】. His victory also ushered in a fresh regional executive team: Amofa Jantuah as First Vice Chairman, Addai Opoku Aikins as Second Vice Chairman, Francis Adomako as Regional Secretary, and a slate of organisers for youth, women, and the Nasara wing, among others【w_52d32b4b01934867】.
The Ashanti chairmanship is more than a party title; it is a linchpin for national politics. The region’s 5 million‑plus voters have consistently delivered decisive margins for the NPP in parliamentary elections, making the chairmanship a strategic lever for candidate selection, grassroots mobilisation, and fundraising. Control of the regional executive therefore translates into direct influence over the party’s ability to field strong candidates and to rally support in the run‑up to general elections【k_fa6b3f1910b1107f】【k_661beae8773d2997】.
With the 2028 general election on the horizon, COKA’s mandate arrives at a critical juncture. The NPP’s national leadership has framed the regional elections as a preparatory step for a broader party renewal, and COKA’s pledge to “unite to win power” signals an intent to consolidate the Ashanti base ahead of the national contest. The YouTube broadcast of the result‑announcement underscored the event’s significance, positioning the new chairman as a key figure in the party’s strategy for the next electoral cycle【y_e385de9c5cd2a30b】.
- Ashanti Region — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashanti_Region - New Patriotic Party — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Patriotic_Party - COKA defeats Kokofu to win Ashanti NPP chairmanship — https://www.primenewsghana.com/general-news/coka-defeats-kokofu-to-win-ashanti-npp-chairmanship.html - NPP regional election: COKA wins Ashanti NPP chairmanship race — https://asaaseradio.com/npp-regional-election-coka-wins-ashanti-npp-chairmanship-race/ - COKA Crushes Kokofu With 71% to Seize Ashanti NPP Chairmanship — https://mydailynewsonline.com/2026/08/15/coka-crushes-kokofu-with-71-to-seize-ashanti-npp-chairmanship/ - COKA, Kokofu battle for Ashanti NPP chair - Graphic Online — https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-coka-kokofu-battle-for-ashanti-npp-chair.html - COKA crushes Kokofu to win NPP Ashanti chairmanship — https://thechronicle.com.gh/coka-crushes-kokofu-to-win-npp-ashanti-chairmanship/ - The election is over, 2028 campaign starts today - New Ashanti... — https://onuaonline.com/the-election-is-over-2028-campaign-starts-today-new-ashanti-regional-npp-chairman/ - COKA floors Kokofu to win NPP Ashanti Regional chairmanship — https://www.modernghana.com/news/1519603/coka-floors-kokofu-to-win-npp-ashanti-regional.html - youtube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLwk-A56q-k