NDC regional elections: Danso topples Ashie Moore as 13 regions elect new chairmen
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected regional chairpersons in 13 of Ghana’s 16 regions following its 2026 regional executive elections held on Saturday, November 14.
However, results from the Central, Oti and Savannah regions are yet to be announced, with the Central Region contest still awaiting an official declaration.
The elections saw significant changes in leadership in some regions, while several incumbent chairmen successfully defended their positions.
Voting was delayed in a few areas due to logistical and security arrangements. In the Ashanti Region, for instance, heightened security at the voting centre prevented the exercise from starting by early afternoon, although the election was eventually completed.
Key outcomes from the regional elections
Greater Accra: Benjamin Danso emerged victorious after defeating incumbent Regional Chairman Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore by a margin of 500 votes, marking one of the biggest upsets in the elections.
Northern Region: Godfred Apasinaba Wumbei secured the chairmanship with 328 votes, defeating Alhaji Tanko Maida, who obtained 236 votes.
Ashanti Region: Incumbent Chairman Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi retained his position after polling 814 votes, while his closest challenger, former Regional Organiser Isham Alhassan Yaw Bonsu, secured 622 votes.
Upper East Region: Alhaji Bolnaba won another term with a 220-vote advantage. He has held the regional chairmanship since December 2005.
Bono Region: Nyamekye-Marfo secured more than 90 per cent of the votes to retain his position. He had previously been elected unopposed in 2018 and 2022, making this his first contested race for the chairmanship.
Upper West Region: Alhaji Alhassan Adam, popularly known as Randy, defeated incumbent Chairman Abdul Nasir Saani Bunas to take over the regional leadership.
Randy polled 196 votes against Bunas’ 164, while the third candidate, Sombawiere Samba Sankara, received 28 votes.
His victory comes four years after he lost to Bunas in the 2022 regional executive elections.
Western Region: Nana Kojo Toku retained his position after obtaining 225 votes. His challengers, Samuel Kwame Borlu and George Arthur, received 209 and 114 votes respectively.
His re-election followed a petition from the Apinto royal family, which had called on the party to disqualify him from the contest, arguing that his status as a gazetted chief contravened the NDC Constitution’s restrictions on chiefs participating in active party politics.
Ahafo Region: Owusu Nkrumah Ababio has been elected the new Regional Chairman after defeating two other candidates in the election held at Nana Bosomprah Park in Goaso.
Mr Ababio secured 106 votes, beating his closest contender, Joseph Baradoe, who received 94 votes. Ahmed Ali Awinbila polled three votes.
Central Region: The results remain officially undeclared. Incumbent Chairman Richard Asiedu has called for a recount following reports that he lost the election.
How the elections were conducted
The Electoral Commission supervised the regional elections, while the Ghana Police Service provided security throughout the exercise.
Delegates were required to cast their ballots personally, as the party did not permit proxy voting.
Elections for the youth and women’s organisers, including their deputies, were held separately during their respective wing conferences, most of which took place on Friday, November 13.
In Greater Accra, Mohammed Abdul Muqmin Juda emerged as the Youth Organiser after securing 103 votes, while his closest contender received 26.
The main regional conferences were responsible for electing the remaining executive officers, including vice-chairpersons, secretaries, organisers, treasurers, communications officers and Zongo Caucus coordinators.
Those eligible to participate as delegates included constituency executives, regional Members of Parliament, ministers, district chief executives and party elders.
NDC prepares for National Congress
The regional executive elections form part of the NDC’s internal restructuring efforts as the party prepares for the 2028 general elections.
The party is scheduled to hold its National Congress on December 19, 2026, to elect its national executives.
Ahead of the congress, the Chief of Staff, Dr Julius Debrah, has urged candidates who emerged victorious to work together with their opponents to strengthen unity and cohesion within the party.
Meanwhile, campaigning for the national executive positions is already underway, with former Local Government Minister Akwasi Oppong Fosu among those seeking to become the party’s next National Chairman.
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