26
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi, has officially picked his nomination form to contest the upcoming regional chairmanship election, expressing confidence that his experience and leadership record make him the best candidate to lead the party into the 2028 general election.
The incumbent chairman, who announced the development after picking his form, said he was grateful to the party executives, Members of Parliament (MPs), ministers, council of elders and members across the branches and constituencies for the support they had given him during his tenure.
According to him, his decision to seek another term was informed by the achievements chalked up by the party under his leadership, particularly the significant increase in the number of parliamentary seats won by the NDC in the Ashanti Region.
He said the party, which previously had three MPs in the region, increased its representation to seven MPs, describing the feat as a major achievement that should be consolidated and built upon.
“I took the party from three MPs. We added one, we added another three MPs, and now we have seven MPs,” he said.
Mr. Nana Kwasi, however, stressed that the achievement could not be attributed to him alone, explaining that he deliberately allowed regional, constituency and branch executives to play active roles in the party’s activities.
He said his leadership style had been based on teamwork and consultation rather than concentrating all decision-making powers in his hands.
“I didn’t do it alone, but I’m the head. I allowed every executive to play a role. I didn’t control everything by myself. We’ve done a lot for this party,” he stated.
Leadership achievements.
The NDC Regional Chairman also pointed to the development of the party’s regional office and the election of his predecessor, Owusu Binpah, as a member of the Council of State as some of the notable achievements recorded during his tenure.
He described the election of Mr. Owusu Binpah to the Council of State as a significant development for the party in the region, saying it was the first time the Ashanti NDC had secured such an elected representation.
“My uncle Owusu Binpe, now His Excellency, is a Council of State member. It’s a plus for us. This is the first time we’ve gotten an elected Council of State member, and it’s under my leadership,” he said.
Mr. Nana Kwasi said his administration had also worked to increase the NDC’s electoral fortunes in the Ashanti Region and would now focus on consolidating those gains and making further inroads in subsequent elections.
He said although he would not put a specific figure on the number of seats the party expected to win in the next election, he was confident that the NDC could make significant gains if he was given another mandate.
“We want to win. People ask that we want to win. Now I’ve given you the win, what else? Now we have to increase it,” he said.
‘No reconciliation campaign’
The chairman also disclosed that he would not engage in a campaign centred on reconciliation, but would instead focus on issues, his record and his vision for the future of the party.
According to him, his campaign would be decent, devoid of personal attacks and based on what he had achieved during his tenure and what he intended to do if retained.
“I always tell my party executives that I’m not going to do reconciliation this time. As a leader, I’m going to make sure that I’m going to do a decent campaign — an issue-based campaign, what I’ve done and what I’m going to do,” he stated.
He said the NDC needed experienced leadership capable of uniting its various structures ahead of the 2028 general election, which he acknowledged would be challenging.
‘I work with the grassroots’
Mr. Nana Kwasi also defended his grassroots credentials, saying he had never been a regional chairman who remained in the office and issued directives to party executives.
He said he regularly travelled to the constituencies and branches to engage directly with party members and assist in resolving their concerns.
“I’m not a chairman that I sit in the office and give orders. I go down with the executives. Even if a branch executive had an issue, I go there. Constituency, I move there. I go around all the constituencies,” he said.
He added that his accessibility and engagement with party members had helped him build strong relationships with the grassroots.
The chairman also recalled a period when he was accused by some people of having betrayed or sold out the interests of the NDC, but said the party’s executives stood by him and gave him another opportunity to prove himself.
“Those times that I was being accused that I’ve sold the party, the executives told people that, no, chairman is not like that. They gave me another chance. And they gave me. And God willing, look at what we had,” he said.
Targeting more parliamentary seats
Mr. Nana Kwasi said the party’s achievement of seven parliamentary seats in the Ashanti Region should serve as a springboard for a more ambitious electoral campaign.
He said the NDC would work to make the party more attractive to voters in the region and position itself for greater success in the 2028 elections.
“Seven seats, it hasn’t happened before. Now we are moving to 35. I won’t give numbers, but I can assure you that if God permits and I’m re-elected, we will see more and NDC will be attractive in this region,” he said.
He further pledged to continue promoting unity and respect among the various stakeholders within the party, including traditional authorities and Muslim communities.
“I give respect to Nananom, I give respect to the Muslim communities. I bring respect, I bring experience, I bring love, I bring togetherness,” he said.
Experience for 2028
The incumbent chairman argued that the NDC would need experienced leadership to successfully navigate the political challenges ahead of the 2028 elections.
He said his experience in managing the party and working with its various structures had prepared him to lead the NDC into another election.
“2028 elections is not easy. We may need experience, we may need somebody who can bring the party together. I’ve done it several times. Not once, not twice,” he said.
Mr. Nana Kwasi consequently appealed to the NDC family in the Ashanti Region to give him another opportunity to lead the party, promising to build on the achievements of his first term and work towards greater electoral success.
“I’m assuring the NDC family that I’m the right person. Not the right person, the one that can be re-elected. But now I think I’m the right person that can bring the party together and get victory for the NDC in 2028,” he said.
