Mr Elvis Figo Awonekai, the newly elected Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on members of the party to put aside their differences and unite immediately to help wrestle power from the ruling NDC.
According to him, there was little time to waste ahead of the 2028 general election and stressed the need not to waste time on activities that would divide the party.
Mr Awonekai, who was elected at the party’s regional executive elections in Bolgatanga after securing 177 votes, said the new regional leadership had a common responsibility to rebuild the party and prepare it for the next general election.
“Time is not on our side. We have an election to win in 2028,” he said in his victory speech.
He defeated Dr Moses Kwabena Atinga, who polled 123 votes. Filson Kweku Awankuah obtained 18 votes, Patrick Ayaaba 13 votes, while Osman M. Konkonba secured one vote.
Mr Awonekai said although the candidates contested different positions during the elections, the outcome had given them a collective responsibility to work together to reunite the party’s rank and file.
He said ending divisions within the party was one of his major campaign pledges and expressed confidence that the newly elected executives had the experience and capacity to rebuild the party and strengthen its structures.
He said the new executives would, within the shortest possible time, complete the necessary meetings and commence work in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Mr Awonekai also paid tribute to his predecessor, Mr Anthony Namoo, for his eight years of service to the party in the region.
“For eight years, I have worked under him. For eight years, I have worked shoulder to shoulder with him. He has sacrificed himself for the region. He has laid the foundation,” he said.
He pledged to build on that foundation with the newly elected executives to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures, reclaim the Upper East Region and secure more parliamentary seats for the NPP in 2028.
The new chairman cautioned supporters against prolonged celebrations following the victory, stressing that the party had significant work ahead.
Prior to being elected Regional Chairman, Mr Awonekai has been a long-standing member of the party, serving as a Polling Station Secretary and Chairman before becoming a Constituency Communications Officer and Constituency Information Technology (IT) Coordinator.
He was elected Deputy Regional Secretary in 2018 and served as Regional IT Coordinator before being elected Regional Secretary in 2022 and later becoming a Parliamentary Candidate.
The delegates believed his election will bring wealth of experience to shape the party towards 2028 general elections.
Other elected regional executives include Ms Georgina Ayamba, First Vice-Chairperson, Mr Daniel Ayine, Secretary, Mr Anaane Johnson Ayikene, Deputy Secretary, and Ms Fatima Asaaba, Women’s Organiser.
The rest are Mr Edmond Bombande, Organiser, Dr Samuel Akonga, Communication Director, Dr Daniel Ziba, Treasurer, Mr Musah Delwinde Sally, Nasara Coordinator.
The Youth Organiser and Second Vice-Chairperson positions were won unopposed.