COKA addressing NPP supporters
Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) chairmanship hopeful, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, has declared that he is “unshakable” in his bid to lead the party in the region, insisting that he will emerge victorious in Saturday’s election.
He made the declaration at Kodie in the Afigya Kwabre South District of the Ashanti Region, where he rounded off his constituency campaign tour ahead of the regional delegates conference.
Addressing enthusiastic delegates and supporters, COKA, a former constituency chairman for the area, said his confidence was based on his experience, commitment and extensive engagement with the grassroots.
“Let me assure all of you that I am very focused despite the dirty propaganda and accusations against me. Having been in active politics for several years, there is one thing which is certain: when your time is due to lead, nothing can stop it. I am very confident I will win Saturday’s election,” he stated.
He said his ambition was driven by the determination to restore unity and rekindle the love and commitment for the NPP in the Ashanti Region, while positioning the party to return to power in the 2028 general election.
10% Sacrifice
COKA called on NPP members with the energy, resources and influence to commit a portion of what they have towards rebuilding the party.
“If any NPP member has the energy, resources and influence, let’s use just 10 per cent of them to bring the NPP back to power,” he appealed.
According to him, the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election should serve as a wake-up call for all members to put aside personal interests and work collectively to restore its fortunes.
He said rebuilding the NPP should not be left to a handful of individuals but must involve party executives, parliamentary candidates, former appointees, grassroots activists and ordinary members.
Unity
COKA said his engagements with delegates and stakeholders across the region had revealed a strong desire for unity and a return to power.
He disclosed that he had engaged former MPs, former constituency executives, former CEOs, traditional leaders, religious leaders, media professionals and other identifiable groups as part of efforts to reconcile members and strengthen the party.
He also cautioned party members against politics of insults, urging them to use social media platforms to promote the NPP rather than attack one another.
Wontumi Prayer
Before addressing the gathering, COKA called for a minute’s silence and prayer for former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
He prayed for strength for Mr. Boasiako during what he described as difficult moments.
2028 Target
The chairmanship hopeful said the NPP must rebuild its structures from the polling station through to the regional level if it was serious about returning to government in 2028.
He recalled that between 1998 and 2000, NPP symbols and campaign materials were visible across the Ashanti Region, saying the party needed to rekindle that spirit and commitment.
COKA pledged that, if elected, he would prioritise grassroots mobilisation, unity and the rebuilding of confidence among party members.
He maintained that the NPP had the human resources, experience and structures needed to regain power, but stressed that members must demonstrate the commitment required to rebuild the party.
“I’m committed to uniting Ashanti NPP to ensure a resounding victory for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the NPP,” he said.
He urged delegates to vote for leadership that would place the interests of the party above personal considerations, insisting that he remained “unshakable, resolute and fully committed” to his quest to become the next Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman.
FROM David Afum, Kodie