By:Isaac Amoah
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to maximise votes in the 2028 general election, particularly in the Ashanti Region, to consolidate its hold on power.
The party is also determined to increase its parliamentary seats in the region from the current seven to 14, despite the Ashanti Region being the stronghold of the largest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr. Kwame Obeng Darko, a leading contender for the Ashanti Regional NDC vice-chairmanship position, who is number two on the ballot, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Kofi Boakye on Kumasi-based “Opemsuo 104.7 FM”.
Mr. Darko, one of the party’s key financiers and a former parliamentary candidate for Ejisu, expressed optimism about winning the regional vice-chairmanship position to help his party retain power in the 2028 elections.
According to him, the 2028 elections would not be easy; hence, the party needed regional executives with grassroots connections and the determination to work hard to secure victory.
Mr. Darko, a businessman and politician, was confident that the monumental development projects being undertaken by the Mahama administration, coupled with the competence of the regional executives, would enable the party to showcase its achievements to Ghanaians and secure a renewed mandate.
On how to attract floating voters in the Ashanti Region, he said a number of initiatives and activities would be rolled out to win their hearts and secure their support for the NDC.
Touching on one of his campaign priorities, which is regularly engaging and recognising former party executives who feel neglected, Mr. Darko admitted that former executives and party cadres felt neglected. He said he was determined to engage them to address their concerns.
According to him, if given the mandate, he would embark on zonal engagements with ward, branch and constituency executives to make himself and other regional executives accessible and address their concerns and challenges.
On his plans to empower the grassroots, particularly the youth and women, he said there were plans to motivate and support them, given the significant role they played in the party’s activities.
Resolving disunity
Mr. Darko admitted that there were pockets of disunity in some constituencies. However, he pledged to liaise with other executives to address the situation, describing himself as a unifier.
He expressed confidence that he would work towards resolving the divisions if elected at the regional executives’ elections scheduled for Saturday, 14th November 2026.
With regard to his working relationship with the substantive regional chairman, he said there would be frequent engagements and consultations to prevent disagreements and divisions and ensure effective delivery of their responsibilities.
Factionalism in the party
Mr. Kwame Obeng Darko admitted that several camps had emerged ahead of the regional executives’ elections.
“However, I’m not aligned with any camp. As a neutral candidate, I’ll liaise with whoever is elected as the substantive regional chairman and the other executives to ensure immediate reconciliation and promote teamwork,” he added.
“I’m ready to work with everyone. Whether you support me or not, as the saying goes, it is only a fool who does not change his or her mind,” he said.
Ensuring effective communication in the region
He pointed out that regular orientation programmes would be organised to equip party communicators with the requisite skills to effectively communicate government policies and achievements without resorting to insults and personal attacks.
He, therefore, appealed to party communicators to focus on publicising the government’s achievements rather than engaging in personality attacks and trading insults.
Government appointees neglect the grassroots
The Ashanti Regional NDC vice-chairmanship aspirant said he had personally witnessed instances in which government appointees failed to answer telephone calls from party members.
He assured party members that, if given the mandate, he and the other regional executives would work hard to address the growing apathy within the party.
He further revealed that party cadres and former executives felt neglected and pledged to work with the new executives to address their concerns.
According to him, one of his top priorities would be to improve the welfare of party officers and members at the ward, branch and constituency levels.
Secondly, he would ensure the inclusion of constituency executives in various activities and engagements organised by the regional and national executives.
Thirdly, he would promote regular engagements with, and recognition of, former party executives and cadres.
Mr. Darko said, “I want to leave a legacy by prioritising the well-being and welfare of party members. Besides, constituencies without offices will be supported to acquire land on which befitting offices can be constructed.”
According to him, during his campaign tour, he realised that several constituencies did not have offices, forcing some of them to hold meetings in churches, schools and other unsuitable venues.
On why delegates should entrust him with their votes, Mr. Darko said good work deserved continuity. He added that the party needed to change the narrative to maximise its votes and secure victory in the 2028 elections.
He, therefore, appealed to delegates to vote for candidate number two, Kwame Obeng Darko, for the Ashanti Regional NDC vice-chairmanship position, assuring them that he would not disappoint them.
“Have confidence in Kwame Obeng Darko. I won’t disappoint you. You’ll have personal testimonies to show for your fair share of the national cake. We’ll help all constituencies without offices to acquire land for the construction of befitting offices and also prioritise their welfare,” he added.
