Delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have, in a striking return to the past, put “old wines in new bottles” by electing several former national executives and familiar political figures to steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.
The outcome of the party’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi, the NPP’s traditional stronghold, has brought back a number of personalities who have played prominent roles in the party’s recent history, even as the party seeks to rebuild after its defeat in the 2024 general election and prepare for the 2028 polls.
Former General Secretary John Boadu was elected National Chairman, defeating former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko.
Mr Boadu polled 2,888 votes, compared with Mr Agyarko’s 2,048.
Interestingly, Justin Frimpong Kodua, who defeated Mr Boadu at the party’s previous National Delegates Conference in Accra, retained his position as General Secretary.
But one of the most controversial outcomes of Saturday’s election was the victory of Kojo Fosu Boadu, popularly known as “Kojo Bamba”, who was elected First Vice Chairman.
Kojo Bamba, a former leader of the pro-NPP Delta Force group, polled 3,116 votes to emerge as the top vote-getter among 13 aspirants who contested the three Vice Chairmanship positions.
He was among those seen at the National Delegates Conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, dressed in military-style combat fatigues.
His election marks a remarkable political journey from the party’s grassroots structures through some of the most controversial episodes in the NPP’s recent history to the national executive level.
Kojo Bamba rose to prominence as a leader of the Delta Force, a pro-NPP vigilante group that became notorious in the Ashanti Region following the party’s 2016 electoral victory.
The group was involved in a revolt against the appointment of George Adjei as Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator. The incident culminated in violence, court proceedings, and the conviction and fining of some members of the group.
Kojo Bamba himself was subsequently convicted of contempt of court in connection with an attack on a Kumasi High Court.
His election, therefore, represents one of the more remarkable comebacks at the conference.
He defeated a crowded field that included former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, NPP Communications Director George Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, Richard Ahiagbah, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, popularly known as “Chairman Buga”, Richard Oti Aboagye, Abena Pokua Boaitey Amoah, Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, Horma Akesie Miezah, Samuel Pyne and Bright Esselfie Kumi.
Former National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye, alias “Nana B,” was elected Second Vice Chairman. He would now have to salute “Kojo Bamba,” who used to serve as his “bodyguard.”
Nana Akomea was elected Third Vice Chairman.
Mr Akomea is a former Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South and has served as a minister under both the John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo administrations.
He previously headed the NPP’s Communications team and served as Managing Director (MD) for state-owned STC.
Former Tema East MP Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, popularly known as “MP3”, was elected National Organizer.
The 60-year-old former Deputy Minister of Transport and former MP returns to the national executive structure at a time when the party is seeking to rebuild its grassroots machinery ahead of 2028.
Mavis Hawa Koomson, another former national executive and former minister, was elected National Women’s Organizer.
Abanga Fuseini was elected National Youth Organizer, while Alfred Kojo Thompson emerged as National Treasurer.
The two were among the relatively new faces in the national executive line-up.
Alhaji Mohammed Ali Suraj, a former member of the Hajj Board who has described himself as the godson of the late Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, was elected Nasara Coordinator.
The newly elected executives were sworn into office shortly after the results were declared, formally beginning their four-year tenure.
Delivering his acceptance speech, John Boadu described his election as a responsibility and called on all contestants to unite behind the party.
“Today is not merely a day of victory. It is a day of responsibility and of great unity. I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and humility,” he said.
He invited his opponents to contribute their ideas, experience, and networks to the development of the NPP.
“There must be no winners and losers. Only one NPP united around one purpose,” he said.
Mr Boadu said his administration would work closely with regional and constituency executives, Members of Parliament, party patrons, external branches and other organized groups to strengthen the party.
He also pledged to deepen the NPP’s engagement with voluntary groups, social media practitioners and the traditional media while creating greater opportunities for young people and promoting leadership development in tertiary institutions.
The new National Chairman said the party would work closely with its flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the national leadership to strengthen its organizational and financial foundations, particularly at constituency level.
He warned that victory in 2028 could not be taken for granted and would have to be earned through service, organization, credibility, and the trust of Ghanaians.
“Political victory is never an entitlement. It must be earned through service, organization, credibility, and the trust of the Ghanaian people. That is why our preparation begins now,” he said.
Mr Boadu called for a renewed focus on grassroots organization, youth empowerment and support for women, as well as greater engagement with professionals, traditional leaders and religious leaders.
He also urged party members to place unity and service above personal ambitions.
“So I make this commitment: we will serve the New Patriotic Party with humility, lead through consultation, and work with every part of our party and dedicate this mandate to restoring the winning machinery of our great party,” he said.
He concluded with a confident prediction of an NPP return to power in 2028.
“JB and his executives are back again. Victory is assured in the year 2028,” he declared.
Mr Boakye Agyarko, who had been tipped by some party supporters as a possible winner of the chairmanship race, has congratulated Mr Boadu and the newly elected national executives.
In a statement issued on Sunday, October 4, 2026, Mr Agyarko pledged his support to the new National Executive Committee and the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“I stand fully and resolutely ready to support Chairman John Boadu, the entire newly elected National Executive Committee, and our Flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia,” he said.
He said the outcome of the conference reaffirmed the NPP’s democratic tradition, internal vitality and collective commitment to the future of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition.
Mr Agyarko congratulated Mr Boadu on his election and said delegates had entrusted him with the responsibility of steering the party’s affairs.
He also congratulated the other newly elected executives, describing their victories as a collective call to duty, service and sacrifice.
The former Energy Minister expressed gratitude to his campaign team, volunteers, constituency chairpersons, constituency executives and delegates who supported his campaign.
He said the campaign had been conducted with dignity, vigour and an unwavering commitment to the NPP.
“Internal contests in our party are not battles between adversaries; they are family contests among brothers and sisters committed to the same sacred cause,” he said.
Mr Agyarko said the conclusion of the election meant there were no individual winners or losers, but rather a victory for the NPP as a whole.
“The election is behind us, and the time for consolidation begins immediately. The challenges ahead of our nation and party require closing ranks, binding every wound, and presenting an impenetrable, united front,” he said.
He said his focus would now be on helping the NPP secure victory in the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections.
“Our supreme, non-negotiable objective remains the total, decisive victory of the New Patriotic Party in the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections,” he said.
Mr Agyarko pledged to work with the party’s leadership and grassroots across all 16 regions to help return the NPP to government.
He also commended the NPP National Elections Committee, the Electoral Commission, and the security services for what he described as a smooth, transparent, and peaceful election.
He urged party members to remain united in purpose, disciplined and committed as preparations for the 2028 elections begin.
For Kojo Bamba, the First Vice Chairmanship represents a dramatic transition from the party’s controversial vigilante politics to its formal national leadership.
In 2018, he was appointed Deputy National Director of Operations of the NPP’s youth wing, a position that marked an important step in his movement from grassroots activism and vigilante politics into the formal structures of the party.
His campaign for the First Vice Chairmanship was built largely around grassroots empowerment.
Engaging delegates across constituencies in the Ashanti Region, he argued that constituency executives were the party’s “frontline soldiers”, responsible for mobilizing supporters and protecting polling stations long before national leaders arrived on the campaign trail.
“These constituency executives are the ones who work for power to be attained, but they are often sidelined when power is attained. This is why I want to be down there at the grassroots at this critical moment,” he said.
He pledged to fight for the welfare of party executives and promised to correct what he described as past mistakes while improving conditions for members and executives across the country.
Despite his controversial past, Kojo Bamba has, in recent years, sought to present himself as an advocate for peaceful elections.
Ahead of the Akwatia by-election in 2025, he joined the NPP’s campaign and urged residents to vote peacefully, stressing that Ghana’s democracy could only flourish when elections were conducted free from violence and intimidation.
“As we go to the polls, let us remember that every vote counts. We must uphold the credibility of the process and ensure that Akwatia sets a fine example of peaceful elections,” he said.
His election as First Vice Chairman now places a former Delta Force leader at the centre of the NPP’s national leadership as the party begins the difficult task of rebuilding its organization and preparing for the 2028 general election.
The composition of the new leadership, featuring several former national executives and familiar political figures, suggests that the NPP has opted for a blend of experience and continuity as it seeks to reclaim power.
For the party, however, the real test will be whether these familiar faces can transform their electoral experience into a renewed grassroots machinery capable of delivering victory in 2028.
