Kumasi: Newly elected Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, known as COKA, has initiated efforts to unify the party by visiting his main contender, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, following his victory in the regional elections.
According to Ghana Web, the meeting took place at Dr Kokofu's residence in Kumasi. It marks the first step in COKA's strategy to reconcile party members and unify the party ahead of the 2028 general elections. In the recent election, COKA received 663 votes, surpassing Dr Kokofu, who garnered 269 votes.
During the meeting, COKA emphasized the importance of unity for the NPP to regain power, stating that the party must set aside differences and work together. 'If we will need power, there must be unity. Creating a united party was part of my campaign because without unity, we can't win power,' he declared. He urged members to forgive past grievances and focus on rebuilding the party.
COKA's administration plans to implement collective leadership and reconciliation from the polling station level to the regional office. Dr Henry Kokofu, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expressed his support for the new leadership and acknowledged the significance of COKA's visit in fostering unity. He remarked, 'For us now, the vehicle is unity. He, as the winner and victor, has a huge responsibility to extend the hands of invitation. He has just done that, perfect.'
Despite initial communication challenges, Dr Kokofu congratulated COKA on his victory and expressed readiness to contribute to the party's success. 'You are welcome to the seat. It is not an easy task, but with all of us around, we have to succeed,' he added.
The meeting, attended by regional executives and party members, signifies a crucial step in the reconciliation process. COKA has urged NPP members to move beyond the internal contest and concentrate on rebuilding the party's structures and reclaiming parliamentary seats lost to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The initiative comes amid concerns over the NPP's performance in the Ashanti Region during the 2024 general elections, where the party lost 10 out of 47 parliamentary seats to the NDC. The reconciliation efforts are seen as vital as the Ashanti NPP gears up for the 2028 elections.