The Bono Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, has retained his position after securing a decisive victory in the party's regional executive elections.
He polled 361 votes against 36 obtained by his sole challenger, Justice Samuel Adjei.
The victory marks a departure from his previous two re-election exercises in 2018 and 2022, when he was returned unopposed, making this the first time he has faced a challenger in his bid to retain the chairmanship.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo's 325-vote margin over Mr Adjei accounted for more than 90 per cent of the 397 votes recorded for the two candidates, underlining the scale of his victory among the delegates.
Mr Adjei is a former Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister.
A total of 412 delegates drawn from the 12 constituencies in the region participated in the regional delegates conference, with 28 aspirants contesting various positions on the regional executive committee.
Contest for key positions
In the contest for the Regional Secretary position, the incumbent, Dennis Yeboah Twumasi, retained his position with 239 votes, defeating six other contenders.
His closest challenger, Zakari Mohammed, polled 77 votes, while James Kwadwo Tannor obtained 23, Stephen Kwadwo Yeboah 18, Ohene-Essel Etur Kwasi 35, Saliu Issaka five, and William Kwame Anin F. secured no votes.
The outcome also saw the incumbent Deputy Regional Secretary, Peter Lonyian Suaka, retain his position with 247 votes, ahead of Justice Osman Fuseini, who polled 78 votes, Moses Kofi Woli, 50, and Augustine Sah Kofi, 22.
In the Regional Organiser contest, the incumbent, Mohammed Seidu, had 226 votes to defeat Ishaq Hamza, who obtained 171 votes.
The Regional Treasurer position was retained by the incumbent, Isaac Amponsah Badu, who secured 206 votes against 174 for Afram Kwabena Benjamin and 16 for Sampson Amponsah.
The incumbent Deputy Regional Treasurer, Ayomah Moro, also secured re-election with 320 votes, defeating Oheneba Bonsu Aboraa, who got 77 votes.
In the contest for Deputy Regional Communications Officer, Seth Kobins emerged with 193 votes, followed by Francis Kwame Obeng with 93, Stephen Arphul Adu with 74, Amos Ferkah with 22, and Gabriel Kwabena Kwarteng with 15.
Amankwaa Karkari Irene and Fati Ibrahim were elected Deputy Women Organisers after obtaining 15 and 10 votes respectively. Helena Sakyiwaa polled nine votes, while Deborah Naah obtained six.
In the Zongo Caucus contest, Yahaya Mohammed Bamba emerged winner with 171 votes, followed by Sadick Abdallah with 69 and Sheikh Moro Awudu with 56.
Unopposed races
Several other incumbent officers retained their positions unopposed.
They included the Regional 1st Vice-Chairman, Ali Adjei; 2nd Vice-Chairman, Takyi Arhin; and Regional Communications Director, Charles Tuffour.
Others were Youth Organiser, Rasheed Ahmed, and Mahama Nurudeen, who was also elected Deputy Organiser unopposed.
The elections, which were supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC), were generally smooth and peaceful, with no major incidents reported.
Security personnel were deployed at the voting venue to maintain law and order and ensure a safe environment for delegates and other participants throughout the exercise.
