By Alexander Kukah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) appears to be entering another important phase of its political journey following its successful constituency-level elections, which have paved the way for the election of regional and national executives.
However, beyond the internal contests and the enthusiasm surrounding the party’s reorganisation, the real test will be whether the newly elected leadership can consolidate the gains made in the 2024 general elections, particularly in the politically strategic Ashanti and Greater Accra regions.
The two regions occupy a significant position in Ghana’s electoral calculations. While Ashanti remains the traditional electoral stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Greater Accra has become a fiercely contested political battleground where organisational strength, voter engagement and effective campaign strategies often influence national electoral outcomes.
The 2024 parliamentary elections offered the NDC an opportunity to make significant inroads into these two regions, with the party recording gains that have changed the political conversation ahead of future elections.
In Ashanti Region, the NPP retained its dominant position but experienced a reduction in its parliamentary representation. The party won 38 of the region’s 47 parliamentary seats, while the NDC secured eight seats, with one seat going to an independent candidate.
This represented an improvement for the NDC compared with the 2020 elections, when it won only four seats against the NPP’s 42, with one independent candidate also elected.
The development suggests that although the NPP continues to enjoy considerable electoral influence in Ashanti, the NDC has demonstrated an increasing capacity to challenge its dominance.
Greater Accra, on the other hand, presented a different electoral picture.
The NDC secured 29 of the region’s 34 parliamentary seats in the 2024 elections, leaving the NPP with just five.
This was a significant improvement on its 2020 performance, when the NDC won 20 seats while the NPP secured 14.
The figures underline the extent of the NDC’s parliamentary gains in the capital region and the challenges confronting the NPP as it seeks to rebuild its electoral fortunes.
The numbers tell the story
| Parliamentary seats | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Ashanti – NDC | 4 | 8 |
| Ashanti – NPP | 42 | 38 |
| Greater Accra – NDC | 20 | 29 |
| Greater Accra – NPP | 14 | 5 |
Source: Electoral Commission results and published parliamentary election breakdowns. Ashanti also had one independent MP in both elections.
The figures show that the NDC doubled its parliamentary representation in Ashanti and increased its seats in Greater Accra by nine, while the NPP suffered corresponding losses in both regions.
These electoral outcomes provide an important foundation for the party’s current internal reorganisation. They also present a challenge to the incoming regional executives, who must demonstrate that they have the organisational capacity, political experience and commitment to sustain the gains.
Beyond the green momentum: The power of political organisation
The NDC’s 2024 campaign was characterised by renewed enthusiasm among sections of the youth, professionals and other influential voter groups.
The party’s messaging, political branding and communication strategies also played an important role in shaping its public image.
Ghana’s electoral landscape is increasingly influenced by the intersection of traditional political mobilisation, digital communication and social media platforms.
Political parties are no longer competing solely through rallies, community engagements and campaign promises. They must also understand how to package their messages, project their candidates and communicate effectively with an increasingly informed and digitally connected electorate.
For the NDC, the challenge is to translate the momentum generated during the 2024 campaign into a sustainable political structure capable of maintaining public confidence.
The party’s regional elections must therefore go beyond the distribution of positions among competing factions. They should provide an opportunity to elect executives who understand the demands of modern political organisation and can mobilise the grassroots towards a common electoral objective.
Ashanti and Greater Accra: Two regions, different political dynamics
The political dynamics in Ashanti and Greater Accra require different approaches.
In Ashanti, the NDC must build on its modest but significant parliamentary gains by strengthening its grassroots structures, identifying credible political figures and maintaining consistent engagement with communities.
Winning eight parliamentary seats in a region where the NPP secured 38 is an achievement, but it also demonstrates the enormous organisational work required if the NDC intends to become more competitive.
The party cannot rely solely on the national popularity of President John Dramani Mahama or the enthusiasm generated by its 2024 campaign. It must develop a regional strategy that addresses local concerns, strengthens constituency-level leadership and builds lasting relationships with voters.
Greater Accra presents a different challenge.
Having secured 29 parliamentary seats, the NDC has a significant electoral advantage to protect. However, maintaining that position will require effective coordination between regional executives, constituency officers, Members of Parliament, government appointees and grassroots organisers.
The party must also guard against complacency, internal disagreements and the perception that electoral victories automatically guarantee continued voter support.
The Central Region, meanwhile, remains another important electoral battleground whose changing political dynamics demand sustained attention from both major parties.
Eastern Region: Another political battleground to watch
The Eastern Region is also expected to attract considerable attention as the NDC elects its regional executives.
The region remains strategically important to the party’s national electoral ambitions, particularly given the NPP’s historical strength there.
In the 2024 parliamentary elections, the NPP won 24 seats in the region, while the NDC secured eight, with one independent candidate elected.
This electoral gap demonstrates the need for the NDC to invest in a stronger regional political structure, capable of challenging the NPP’s influence.
The contest between established political figures and emerging party actors in the regional executive elections will therefore have implications beyond internal party administration.
The incoming leadership must demonstrate an ability to reconcile competing interests, strengthen constituency structures and develop a credible electoral strategy.
The responsibility of the incoming regional executives
As the NDC prepares to elect its regional officers, delegates have an important responsibility to consider the competence, integrity and commitment of the individuals seeking leadership positions.
The party needs executives who are selfless, hardworking, accessible and capable of working with different groups within the political organisation.
More importantly, regional executives must understand that their responsibilities extend beyond election periods. They must maintain regular engagement with constituency officers, communicate the party’s policies effectively and protect its political interests.
In government, they also have an important responsibility to communicate the achievements and policy direction of the Mahama administration without compromising the party’s ability to listen to public concerns and acknowledge areas requiring improvement.
The relationship between the party’s political structures and government must be managed carefully to ensure that the NDC remains connected to its grassroots supporters.
The 2024 elections have given the party a renewed opportunity to consolidate its national political position. However, electoral success must be supported by effective leadership, accountability and a clear understanding of the expectations of voters.
The bigger picture: Protecting the 2024 gains
The NDC’s performance in Ashanti and Greater Accra offers an important lesson about the changing nature of Ghanaian electoral politics.
The NPP’s continued dominance in Ashanti and the NDC’s commanding parliamentary advantage in Greater Accra demonstrate that political fortunes are not permanently guaranteed, even in regions traditionally associated with particular parties.
The responsibility now rests with the incoming regional executives to transform the enthusiasm of the 2024 elections into a sustainable political organisation.
For Ashanti, the task is to expand the NDC’s electoral footprint and challenge the NPP’s longstanding dominance. In Greater Accra, the priority is to protect the party’s parliamentary advantage while maintaining the confidence of voters.
Ultimately, the success of the regional elections should not be measured by which faction wins the most executive positions, but by whether the party emerges with a united, disciplined and results-oriented leadership capable of delivering on its electoral ambitions.
For a governing party seeking to sustain its political influence, the next election campaign begins long before the Electoral Commission announces a date.
It begins with the quality of leadership chosen today, the strength of the grassroots organisation and the willingness of party executives to put collective interests above personal ambition.
The NDC’s 2024 electoral gains have opened a new political chapter. Whether the party can sustain and expand those gains will depend significantly on the leadership decisions delegates make in the regions.
