Ignatius Kwesi Afrifa, a former Amenfi West parliamentary candidate, has been elected the new Western Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), polling 265 votes, representing 72.207 percent of valid ballots cast, to defeat his closest challenger, Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, who obtained 102 votes.
Afrifa's victory was secured in the party's regional executive elections held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Agona-Nkwanta in the Ahanta West Constituency, drawing delegates from all 17 constituencies in the Western Region.
The election formed part of the NPP's nationwide reorganisation of its regional structures ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Mr Afrifa's triumph was mirrored down the ballot, as the region concurrently ushered in Ignatius Asaah Mensah as First Vice Chairman, Francis Abeiku Yankah as Second Vice Chairman, Kwasi Bonzoh as Secretary, Lawrence Kojo Appiah Takyi as Deputy Secretary, Amoabeng Owusu Acheampong as Organiser, Augustina Nketsiah as Women's Organiser, Osagyefo Atiah Kwaw as Youth Organiser, Alhaji Adam Harun Ahmed as Nasara Coordinator, Emmanuel Essah Acquah as Communications Officer, and Nana Adjoa Appiah as Treasurer.
Speaking to Graphic Online after the results were announced, a member of Mr Afrifa's campaign team, Akpene Darko-Cobbina said thanks had been extended to God and to party stalwarts, including George Mireku Duker, former Member of Parliament for Tarkwa and a former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Benedict Addae, former Regional Youth Organiser and campaign manager for the Afrifa campaign, as well as to the region's delegates and all who contributed to the outcome.
Mr Afrifa, he claimed, possessed what it takes to make the Western Region an NPP stronghold once again, adding that the new chairman was, in his view, equipped with the strategy to help the party reclaim its lost seats ahead of 2028. It was on this note that he was quoted as saying: "The rescue mission began today."
Afrifa's task is significant. The Western Region, which has 17 constituencies, was previously split between the two major parties, with the NPP holding nine seats to the NDC's eight, before the NDC swept 15 of the 17 seats in the 2024 general elections. The scale of that reversal places the region among the party's most pressing rebuilding priorities as it looks ahead to 2028.
Attention within the NPP is now expected to turn to the national executive elections slated for October 3, 2026, the final stage of a reorganisation exercise that has, in recent days, produced a mixed picture nationally, with delegates retaining some incumbent regional chairmen while replacing others, including in the Western Region.
