The incumbent Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Augustus Nana Akwasi, has expressed confidence in retaining his position in the party’s upcoming regional elections, insisting that delegates will renew his mandate based on his achievements over the past eight years.
Nana Akwasi is facing a stiff challenge from the party’s Regional Organizer, Isham Alhassan Yaw Bonsu, but says his record in strengthening the party’s fortunes in the Ashanti Region makes him the preferred candidate.
Speaking ahead of the elections, Nana Akwasi touched on the party’s electoral performance under his leadership, pointing to significant increases in presidential votes and parliamentary representation.
“I took over the party when it had only 300,000 votes in the Ashanti Region and a little over three parliamentary seats. As chairman, we increased the votes to 450,000 in 2020, and in the 2024 elections, we secured about 800,000 presidential votes and increased our parliamentary seats to seven. These are some of my achievements,” he revealed.
He also cited the election of an NDC representative to the Council of State from the Ashanti Region as another major achievement under his leadership.
“Under my leadership, I have been able to secure a Council of State member for the party. Whenever the NDC is in government, it is usually the NPP that elects a Council of State member for the region. But now, I have been able to ensure that the NDC elects a Council of State member in the Ashanti Region,” he said.
The regional chairman further attributed the party’s growing fortunes to his leadership approach, which he said prioritised campaign strategies and policies over personal attacks and political insults.
“When Wontumi was busy attacking and insulting people in the region, I remained focused on our campaign policies and strategies. Now, the NPP is learning from me and has elected COKA to behave like me. This means I have served my people and the Ashanti Region very well,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that delegates across the region’s 47 constituencies would support his bid for another term, although he acknowledged that election outcomes could not be predicted with certainty.
“I am confident that NDC delegates across the 47 constituencies in the region will vote for me to continue the work, although delegates cannot be predicted,” he added.
Nana Akwasi also maintained that his administration had made the party increasingly attractive to new members, resulting in a steady rise in membership across the region.
“Under my leadership for the past eight years, the NDC has become very attractive, as we continue to register more members every day in the region. Everyone can see that,” he said.
On internal party unity, he said he had provided regional executives with the freedom to discharge their responsibilities without discrimination, a decision he believes has contributed to the party’s progress.
He emphasised that his inclusive leadership style had enabled the regional executives to work together as a united front, strengthening the party’s organisational structures.
He said he was prepared to do more for the party now that the NDC was in government, having worked to strengthen its position in the Ashanti Region while in opposition.
“In opposition, I made the NDC in the Ashanti Region attractive. Now that we are in government, I am going to do more. All I am asking of the delegates is to retain me as regional chairman. What I look forward to is a free and fair election,” he said.
By Benjamin Aidoo
