Mahama Zakaria has been elected the new National Democratic Congress (NDC) Constituency Chairman for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba after narrowly defeating incumbent Alhaji Osman Salia by just three votes in a closely contested internal election.
Mr Zakaria secured 510 votes against Mr Salia’s 507 in the constituency executive elections held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in a result that signals a change in leadership and sets the stage for a renewed push to consolidate the party’s grassroots support ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The newly elected chairman has pledged to unite the party, strengthen internal cooperation and intensify grassroots mobilisation to improve the NDC’s electoral fortunes in the constituency.
Speaking in an interview with the media after the election, Mr Zakaria said unity had been the central message of his campaign and that his immediate priority was to bring members together following the keenly contested election.
“Unity is the key. That was my campaign message, and the delegates have responded accordingly,” he said.
He expressed confidence that a united constituency would be better positioned to consolidate the NDC’s support and further weaken the opposition New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) electoral prospects in the 2028 general elections.
Mr Zakaria said his administration would prioritise collective responsibility, hard work and grassroots mobilisation, with the goal of making Sawla-Tuna-Kalba a more competitive electoral battleground.
New executive team takes shape
Mr Zakaria will work with a newly elected constituency executive team tasked with implementing his vision and strengthening the party’s organisational structures.
Abubakari Farouk was elected Vice Chairman, while Sansah Reuben Konchiirtey and Sei Charles will serve as Secretary and Deputy Secretary, respectively.
Nujaal Joseph was elected Organiser, with Yane Moses as Deputy Organiser. Kipo Isaac and Anboon Emmanuel will serve as Youth Organiser and Deputy Youth Organiser, respectively.
Agnes Naawmendoo was elected Women Organiser, with Umu-Hani Saaka as her deputy.
Hussein Alhassan will coordinate the Zongo Caucus, while Kulah Raphael and Balara Peter were elected Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer, respectively.
Kontinatey Isaac emerged as Communication Officer, with Mahamadu Adams as Deputy Communication Officer.
The wider executive structure also includes eight additional members and other youth organisers.
The new team is expected to work with branch executives and grassroots supporters to strengthen the party’s presence across the constituency.
Narrow victory, bigger task ahead
Mr Zakaria’s three-vote victory margin underscores the competitiveness of the contest and the importance of reconciliation as the new administration assumes office.
His pledge to unite the party will be particularly significant in the aftermath of an election that pitted him against the incumbent chairman, Alhaji Osman Salia.
The new leadership faces the task of bringing supporters of the various candidates together, resolving internal differences and ensuring that disagreements arising from the contest do not undermine the party’s preparations for the next general elections.
The constituency’s organisational strength, grassroots engagement and ability to coordinate campaign activities will be crucial to the NDC’s efforts to maintain and expand its electoral support in 2028.
Teacher, journalist and public servant
Mr Zakaria brings to his new role experience spanning education, agriculture, journalism and public service.
A professional teacher and farmer, he also serves as the Savannah Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), a public service appointment that has placed him in disaster management and regional coordination.
He is also a former investigative journalist with the Public Agenda newspaper and an alumnus of the University of Education, Winneba.
His varied professional background adds another dimension to his leadership profile as he takes charge of the NDC’s affairs in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba.
The immediate task, however, will be to translate his campaign pledge of unity into action by working with the newly elected constituency executives, engaging party members at the grassroots and building cohesion following his closely contested victory over incumbent chairman Alhaji Osman Salia.
His administration will also be expected to demonstrate that the change in leadership can deliver stronger internal coordination and more effective grassroots mobilisation.
With the 2028 general elections approaching, the new chairman’s ability to reconcile the competing interests within the constituency and rally members behind a common agenda could prove decisive in shaping the NDC’s electoral prospects in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba.
Source: www.kumasimail.com with files from Yagbon Radio
