Former Ellembelle District Chief Executive, Kwasi Bonzoh, has been officially cleared by the National Steering Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to contest the party’s Western Regional Secretary position, bringing an end to days of uncertainty surrounding his candidature.
The decision, contained in a directive signed by the Acting National Chairman, Danquah Buttey Smith, follows the committee’s consideration of a petition filed by Mr. Bonzoh under Regulation 9 of the party’s Rules and Regulations for the Conduct of the Regional Executive Committee Elections.
According to the directive dated August 3, 2026, the National Steering Committee, after deliberating on the petition, resolved that Mr. Bonzoh should be cleared to participate in the regional executive elections.
“Following its deliberations, the National Steering Committee resolved that Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh be cleared to contest the Western Regional Executive Elections. Accordingly, he is hereby officially cleared to participate as a candidate in the elections,” the statement said.
The committee further instructed the Western Regional Steering Committee and all relevant election bodies to immediately implement the decision and ensure full compliance.
The latest development overturns an earlier decision by the Western Regional Vetting Committee, which had disqualified Mr. Bonzoh from the race after a petition challenged his eligibility.
Although the contents of the petition were not publicly disclosed by the committee, the controversy centred on allegations questioning his educational qualifications, specifically claims that he did not possess the requisite formal certificate to contest for the Regional Secretary position.
The issue quickly generated intense debate within the party, particularly in the Western Region, with supporters insisting the petition was politically motivated and lacked merit.
Mr. Bonzoh had earlier confirmed after his vetting that he had been informed of a petition against him but remained confident that the party’s internal processes would vindicate him. He had maintained throughout the process that he satisfied all constitutional requirements to contest the election.
His disqualification triggered widespread criticism from sections of the party, especially in his native Ellembelle Constituency, where many supporters described the decision as unfair and called on the national leadership to intervene.
By clearing Mr. Bonzoh, the National Steering Committee has effectively upheld his appeal, allowing him to rejoin the contest for one of the most keenly contested positions in the Western Regional Executive elections.
The decision is expected to inject fresh momentum into the race for Regional Secretary, where Mr. Bonzoh is challenging incumbent Regional Secretary Okatakyie Amankwaa Afrifa.
News of the National Steering Committee’s decision has sparked wild celebrations among Mr. Bonzoh’s supporters, particularly across the Ellembelle Constituency.
Moments after the directive became public, jubilant supporters took to social media and party platforms to celebrate what they described as the triumph of justice and due process.
In several communities within Ellembelle, party faithful erupted in spontaneous celebrations, expressing relief that their preferred candidate had been restored to the race.
Supporters also commended the National Steering Committee for what they described as a fair, objective and courageous decision, saying the committee had demonstrated its commitment to justice and the integrity of the party’s internal democratic processes.
By Eric Yaw Adjei
