A meeting of the Ashanti Regional Executive Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) reportedly ended in confusion and acrimony on Tuesday following a heated disagreement over the proposed appointment of additional regional vice chairpersons.
The controversy is said to have erupted after the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, presented names for appointment without first allowing broader discussions or consultations among members of the regional executive committee.
Sources familiar with the meeting said the nominees included Kwasi Nti Asamoah, Ralph Patrick Sarfo and another individual whose name was not immediately available.
The development reportedly drew objections from some executives, particularly amid the absence of the Regional Women’s Organizer, Regional Youth Organizer and Regional Organizer, who were said to be attending an operations meeting in Accra.
Disagreement over consultation
Tensions escalated when the First Regional Vice Chairman, Amofa Jantuah, challenged the process, reportedly citing existing party directives that require consultation with elected regional executives before such appointments are made.
According to sources at the meeting, Mr Jantuah argued that the appointments should not be made unilaterally and insisted that the views of the relevant executives be considered before any decisions were taken.
However, Mr Appiah allegedly maintained that the appointments fell within his authority, dismissing objections to the process.
The disagreement reportedly intensified, culminating in a walkout by Mr Jantuah and the Regional Nasara Coordinator.
The two officials are said to be considering a petition to the party’s national leadership over what they view as a departure from established internal procedures. They have reportedly vowed to resist the appointments if the concerns are not addressed.
Concerns over Regional Youth Organizer’s role
The dispute has also been compounded by allegations surrounding the proposed appointment of Ralph Patrick Sarfo.
Sources within the party claim that Mr Sarfo’s appointment could undermine the influence or responsibilities of the Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer, Martin Ameyaw. The allegations have reportedly generated resentment among some grassroots members.
However, the claims regarding the intended role of Mr Sarfo have not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the proposed appointment would formally affect the responsibilities of the Regional Youth Organizer.
Questions over party unity
The confrontation highlights growing tensions within the Ashanti Regional branch of the NPP, a key stronghold of the party.
The reported walkout, threats of petitions and disagreements over the appointment process have raised concerns about internal cohesion and the management of regional party affairs.
Party insiders have called for swift intervention by the national leadership to prevent the dispute from escalating and to ensure that the appointment process is handled in accordance with the party’s established rules and procedures.
“What happened was not just disagreement; it was a direct challenge to internal party democracy and consultation,” a source familiar with the meeting said.
As of the time of filing this report, the NPP’s national leadership had not officially commented on the reported developments.
It remains to be seen whether the party will intervene to resolve the disagreement and whether the proposed appointments will proceed amid the growing opposition from sections of the regional executive.
