Former Bekwai Member of Parliament and former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei-Wusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, has predicted that the race for the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is increasingly tilting in favour of Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, widely known as COKA.
According to him, COKA’s long-standing engagement with party grassroots structures and sustained political activities across the region have given him a significant advantage over his competitors.
Speaking in an interview, Joe Wise said he initially anticipated that the contest would be unopposed until the entry of former Bantama Member of Parliament and former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kwabena Kokofu.
However, he noted that Kokofu’s relatively late decision to enter the race has made the contest more challenging for him, particularly when compared to COKA’s extensive groundwork and visibility within the party over the years.
“COKA has been working thoroughly and connecting with the NPP in Ashanti Region for years,” Joe Wise said, adding that the level of organisation and grassroots mobilisation demonstrated by the former regional chairman places him “way ahead” in the contest.
The former First Deputy Speaker stressed that political success within the NPP, especially in the Ashanti Region, depends heavily on maintaining strong relationships with party members at the grassroots level, a strategy he believes COKA has consistently pursued.
Joe Wise also reflected on his long political association with COKA, recalling their early activism within the party under the leadership of former NPP stalwart, Dr. Richard Anane.
He recounted how they were actively involved in political mobilisation efforts in Kumasi during a period of heightened political tension, including participation in protests against then Kumasi Mayor Akwasi Agyemang during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
According to him, the demonstrations attracted significant attention and resistance at the time, eventually prompting intervention from the Asantehene and the Presidency to help address the situation.
The comments come at a time when the race for the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship is attracting growing interest among party members and political observers, with aspirants intensifying consultations and campaign activities ahead of the NPP’s internal elections.
The Ashanti Region remains the party’s electoral stronghold and is expected to play a critical role in shaping the NPP’s future direction as it reorganises following the 2024 general elections.
Political analysts believe the outcome of the regional chairmanship contest could significantly influence the party’s mobilisation efforts, internal cohesion and preparations towards future electoral contests.
