Isham Alhassan Bonsu
The Ashanti Regional Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Isham Alhassan Bonsu, has formally declared his intention to contest the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship of the party ahead of the regional elections scheduled for 2026.
Mr. Bonsu, described as one of the most experienced politicians among the current regional executives of the party, made the announcement during his birthday celebration held in Kumasi.
Addressing members of the media at the event, he said the NDC had given him the opportunity to serve at various levels of the party since 1992, beginning from the ward level through to constituency and regional leadership.
“The NDC as a political party picked me and gave me the opportunity to serve from the ward level since 1992, through the constituency level and at the regional level, both as Deputy Regional Organiser and Regional Organiser,” he said.
Mr. Bonsu noted that his political growth had been shaped through mentorship and training under seasoned party leaders, including Ambassador Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Nti Fordjour, Yaw Obimpeh and Nana Akwasi, the current Ashanti Regional Chairman.
According to him, his many years of service and experience have adequately prepared him for the contest and the responsibilities that come with leading the party in the region.
“I am confident that I have prepared myself well for the contest ahead. With my experience, I believe I can win and effectively lead the party,” he stated.
He used the occasion to call on party supporters across the Ashanti Region to rally behind his candidature, urging them to begin mobilising support from December 20, 2025 through to November 2026, when the party is expected to hold its regional elections.
The birthday celebration was attended by majority of the current regional executives, District Chief Executives (DCEs), as well as constituency and polling station executives.
The public declaration of Mr. Bonsu’s intention to contest the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship attracted loud applause from the party supporters who attended the event, including some close associates of the incumbent chairman.
The declaration sets the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested race for the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship of the NDC. It remains unclear whether the incumbent Chairman, Andrews Augustus Nana Akwasi, will seek re-election.
Meanwhile, some party members present at the celebration openly endorsed Mr. Bonsu’s candidature.
“We, the NDC in the Ashanti Region, have no justification to reject Isham. He is the man for the job. Nana Akwasi, our Regional Chairman, has done his part for the party as Vice Chairman and Regional Chairman, and we gave him our full support. Every election comes with new leadership and new strategies. We, the grassroots, want Isham, and we are happy that he has listened to our call. We will do everything humanly possible to ensure this dream is realised in the Ashanti Region,” they said.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi