COKA crushes Kokofu to win NPP Ashanti chairmanship

COKA polled 658 votes in Saturday’s regional chairmanship election, August 15, 2026, against Dr Kokofu’s 269 votes, to secure a decisive victory in the keenly contested race.

The result gives COKA a strong mandate to take charge of the party’s regional structures in the Ashanti Region, traditionally regarded as a critical electoral stronghold of the NPP.

His victory also marks a significant political comeback for COKA, who had previously been defeated by the former Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

COKA had entered the latest contest with considerable confidence, repeatedly projecting a strong performance ahead of the election.

He had publicly indicated that he expected to secure not less than 90 per cent of the votes, citing what he considered strong support among delegates across the region.

Although his final tally fell short of that projection, his 658 votes gave him a commanding lead over Dr Kokofu, who secured less than half of COKA’s total.

Dr Kokofu, a former MP for Bantama and former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), entered the race with considerable political and administrative experience but was unable to match COKA’s support among the delegates.

COKA’s election comes at a crucial time for the NPP, with the Ashanti Region remaining central to the party’s efforts to rebuild its political base and strengthen its structures ahead of future elections.

As regional chairman, COKA is expected to play a key role in mobilising the party’s grassroots, promoting unity and coordinating its activities across the region.

His immediate challenge will be to consolidate the support demonstrated at the polls and work to bridge any divisions arising from the contest as the party seeks to strengthen its organisation in the region.