The newly elected Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi, broke down in tears shortly after being declared winner of the keenly contested regional executive elections.
The emotional moment, which attracted attention from delegates and party supporters at the election grounds, came as the former chairman celebrated his return to the influential regional leadership position.
Nana Kwasi, who was visibly overwhelmed by emotions, struggled to contain his tears as supporters, sympathisers and party faithful thronged around him to congratulate him on his victory.
His emotional reaction was seen as a reflection of the significance he attached to the contest and the political journey that culminated in his re-election.
He polled 814 votes to defeat his challenger, former Ashanti Regional Organiser, Isham Alhassan Yaw Bonsu, who secured 622 votes out of the 1,436 votes cast.
His re-election comes after he expressed confidence in retaining the position, arguing that delegates would renew his mandate based on what he described as significant achievements during his eight years in office.
Speaking to the media ahead of the elections, he cited the NDC’s improved electoral performance in the Ashanti Region under his leadership as one of the major accomplishments.
He said the party has increased its presidential votes from about 300,000 when he assumed office to 450,000 in the 2020 general elections, before securing approximately 800,000 votes in 2024.
The victory is also expected to strengthen his position within the Ashanti Region, which remains a critical political battleground for the NDC ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The Ashanti Regional NDC elections attracted considerable attention, with various aspirants campaigning vigorously to secure the confidence of delegates and influence the direction of the party in the region.
His victory is regarded as an important development in the party’s efforts to consolidate its grassroots structures, improve internal cohesion and strengthen its electoral fortunes in a region traditionally considered a stronghold of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The newly elected chairman is expected to work with the regional executive members, constituency executives and other stakeholders to address internal challenges and reposition the party for the next general elections.
His immediate task will include uniting the various camps that emerged during the contest, strengthening constituency-level structures and mobilising the grassroots to support the party’s national agenda.
The emotional scenes following his declaration as winner underscored the intensity of the contest and the importance party supporters attached to the outcome.
For him, the tears appeared to go beyond the excitement of electoral victory, reflecting the weight of responsibility that comes with leading the NDC in one of Ghana’s most politically competitive regions.
With the regional elections concluded, attention is expected to shift towards the difficult task of translating the party’s internal electoral victory into increased votes in the Ashanti Region in 2028.
The new regional chairman will be expected to demonstrate inclusive leadership, strengthen party unity and ensure that the NDC becomes more competitive across the region.
By Benjamin Aidoo
