The newly elected Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, has directed party members in the region to discontinue premature campaigns for parliamentary positions, warning that the practice will no longer be tolerated under his leadership.
COKA said the growing practice of party members presenting themselves as prospective Members of Parliament before the official opening of nominations undermines the authority of sitting legislators and can adversely affect their ability to perform their constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities.
Addressing constituency chairpersons during a meeting in Kumasi, the newly elected regional chairman said every member of the party retained the right to support or disagree with an incumbent Member of Parliament. However, he insisted that individuals who intend to contest parliamentary elections must wait until the party formally opens nominations before publicly declaring their ambitions.
He consequently instructed prospective parliamentary candidates to stop describing themselves as “incoming MPs” until the appropriate electoral process has officially commenced.
COKA said the title would no longer be permitted within the Ashanti Region, arguing that premature declarations could create unnecessary tension within constituencies and weaken the standing of sitting Members of Parliament before the party’s formal nomination process begins.
The regional chairman further linked the practice to broader concerns about discipline within the party, maintaining that greater adherence to the NPP’s rules would be necessary to prevent internal disputes and preserve organisational cohesion.
He assured party members, however, that his administration would not permit intimidation or victimisation within the regional structure. According to him, every member should be allowed to participate in party activities without fear, provided that such participation remains consistent with the party’s constitution and established regulations.
COKA also appealed to constituency chairpersons to take responsibility for discouraging the use of premature parliamentary titles within their respective constituencies. He cited his previous tenure as Constituency Chairman for Afigya Kwabre South, where he said similar conduct was not permitted.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman said the NPP’s constitution would serve as the principal framework for maintaining discipline and regulating conduct among party members. He therefore called on constituency and regional officers to support his administration as it seeks to strengthen internal order across the region.
He further warned that he would neither supervise nor tolerate circumstances in which electoral area coordinators or other constituency officials undermine the authority of constituency chairpersons. In his view, respect for the party’s organisational hierarchy is essential to maintaining effective administration at the grassroots level.
COKA’s comments come as the NPP begins reorganising its structures following the conclusion of its regional elections, with attention increasingly turning towards preparations for the party’s future electoral contests.
His directive is consequently aimed at preventing parliamentary ambitions from generating unnecessary rivalry before the formal nomination process begins. By insisting that prospective candidates wait for the official opening of nominations, he is seeking to preserve the authority of incumbent legislators while ensuring that future contests are conducted within the party’s established rules.
COKA has therefore placed discipline, institutional respect and adherence to the party constitution at the centre of his leadership agenda, while warning members that premature parliamentary campaigning and disrespect towards constituency officials will not receive his administration’s approval.
