Kingsley Atta wins Bantama NPP chairmanship by four votes

Kingsley Atta has been elected Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bantama Constituency after defeating incumbent Chairman Fiifi Mensah by just four votes in a closely fought re-run election. Mr Atta polled 570 votes, representing 50.2 per cent, while Mr Mensah secured 566 votes, representing 49.8 per cent, in the election held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Kumasi Cultural Centre. The results were declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) Returning Officer after a process supervised by EC officials and observed by national and regional executives of the NPP.

The narrow victory marked a dramatic turnaround from the constituency’s earlier election, which was subsequently annulled by the party’s National Steering Committee. In the first election, held on July 12, Mr Atta secured a decisive victory with 714 votes, representing 72.8 per cent of the 995 valid votes cast, while Mr Mensah obtained 267 votes, representing 27.2 per cent. The party’s National Steering Committee later cancelled that election over breaches of party directives and electoral regulations, paving the way for the re-run.

Speaking after his victory, Mr Atta thanked delegates for renewing their confidence in him and acknowledged the significant change in the voting pattern. “Today, the delegates have spoken. I am humbled by this mandate. The numbers may be different, but the task ahead is the same,” he said. He pledged to unite the constituency and work with all factions within the party to strengthen the NPP ahead of the 2028 general election. “We cannot afford to go into 2028 divided. I will be Chairman for all, and my door is open to everyone, including my brother Fiifi,” he said.

Mr Atta also appealed to his supporters to celebrate the victory responsibly, stressing that the outcome should be seen as a victory for the party rather than an opportunity for further division. “This victory belongs to the party,” he added. Mr Mensah, in a gesture of sportsmanship immediately after the results were announced, walked to Mr Atta’s seat, embraced him and congratulated him on his victory. He also congratulated the other elected constituency executives and pledged to continue contributing to the NPP’s efforts to win the 2028 election.

“I accept the verdict of the delegates in good faith. The decision has been made, and I respect it. I will remain committed to the party and will do all I can to ensure victory for the party in 2028,” he said. However, Mr Mensah maintained that the outcome of the re-run supported his earlier concerns about the fairness of the first election. “The outcome of today’s re-run has only confirmed what we raised from the beginning. That election was conducted on unfair grounds and did not reflect the true will of the delegates,” he said. He noted that while he had lost the first election by 447 votes, the difference in the re-run was reduced dramatically to four votes.

Other officials elected during the re-run include Vincent Kofi Amoabeng as First Vice Chairman and Frank Boateng as Second Vice Chairman. Douglas Acheampong was elected Constituency Secretary unopposed, while Kwadwo Adu was elected Assistant Secretary and Eric Mensah Constituency Organiser. The remaining executives are Nana Boakye, Youth Organiser; Vivian Arthur, Treasurer; Josephine Ama Poma, Women’s Organiser; Kingsford Addai, Communications Director; and Afram Tuffour, Nasara Coordinator. The election was attended by representatives of the NPP’s national and Ashanti Regional executives, as well as the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye.

Mr Asenso-Boakye congratulated Mr Atta and urged all members and supporters of the constituency to put the divisive aspects of the election behind them and support the new leadership. “The time for division is over. The focus now is on unity. Whoever won or lost, we must all rally behind one goal to work together to make Dr Mahamudu Bawumia the next president in the 2028 general elections,” he said. He commended delegates for conducting themselves peacefully and expressed appreciation to the EC and security agencies for helping to ensure an orderly process.

The newly elected executives are expected to assume their respective positions in the coming days, with their immediate task expected to include strengthening the party’s structures, rebuilding cohesion within the constituency and mobilizing support ahead of the 2028 general election.

Source: Joy News
Author: Joyce Owusu