The New Ashanti Regional Chairman, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, better known as COKA, has taken the helm of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region, marking the end of Bernard Antwi Boasiako's era. This change comes as the party seeks to recover from a difficult election.
A New Chapter for the NPP in Ashanti
COKA secured 663 votes to defeat Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, a former head of Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency, who polled 269 votes in the contest. This victory is the culmination of a political journey that began far below the regional level, with COKA serving as a Ward Organiser, Ward Chairman, Regional Financial Secretary, and Constituency Chairman for Afigya Kwabre.
His supporters have long portrayed him as a politician who is accessible, consultative, and willing to work quietly behind the scenes. COKA's reputation for welfare and grassroots support has helped cement the nickname "Asanteman COKA, I Care." His public persona is calmer, and his campaign language has been less about personality and more about organisation, structure, and measurable electoral results.
A Different Face After a Bruising Election
The change comes against the backdrop of the NPP's disappointing performance in the 2024 general election. The party's presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, secured approximately 1.37 million votes in Ashanti. The NPP has been trying to recover from this setback, and the new leadership is seen as a crucial step towards revitalising the party in the region.
COKA's leadership style is expected to be a departure from that of his predecessor, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, who was known for his larger-than-life personality and public style. While Wontumi's supporters saw his personality as part of his political strength, critics sometimes interpreted it as overly flamboyant or lacking the seriousness expected of a regional party chairman.
From Wontumi's Era to a Different Political Style
Wontumi's regional tenure came to an abrupt end when he was convicted in July 2026 over illegal-mining-related offences connected to the Samreboi concession and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. The NPP has rejected the judgment and announced plans to appeal. Whatever the outcome of that appeal, the development has fundamentally altered the political context in which the NPP's Ashanti leadership transition is taking place.
COKA presents a somewhat different proposition, with his public persona being calmer and his campaign language being less about personality and more about organisation and structure. His professional background extends into business, with over two decades of experience as a private-sector executive and involvement in businesses spanning hospitality, construction, transportation, and haulage.
What's Next for the NPP in Ashanti?
The change in leadership comes at a critical time for the NPP in Ashanti, and COKA's leadership style is expected to shape the party's fortunes in the region. As the party seeks to recover from a difficult election, COKA's focus on organisation, structure, and measurable electoral results is seen as a crucial step towards revitalising the party in the region. The next few months will be crucial in determining the impact of COKA's leadership on the NPP's electoral fortunes in Ashanti.
Source: Joy Online
