Being in opposition is quite biting –COKA

Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, also called COKA, Ashanti Regional Chairman hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said the party’s return to opposition has brought significant economic hardship to its grassroots supporters, describing the situation as difficult and emotionally taxing.

The NPP Regional chairman aspirant told Host Ebenezer Yaw Jona, alias Osempakani, in a One-on-One interview on Abusua Fm current affairs talk show – “Abusua Nkommo” on Saturday that the reality of opposition became evident when NPP lost power in the 2024 general elections.

“Since the NPP went into opposition, the reality has set in, as Party people keep calling me to help pay their children’s school fees and to support them with basic needs,” he stated.

He noted that political activism becomes more burdensome outside government, referencing a past comment by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who once said “it is better to be a Security officer in a ruling party than a General Secretary in an opposition party.”

COKA expressed confidence that the NPP would recover from its electoral defeat and reorganise ahead of the 2028 elections, blaming the party’s loss to the failure of the previous administration to heed internal advice.

“We are in opposition because the government at the time did not listen to advice. But I am confident we will put our house in order and return stronger in 2028.”

He also criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing it of reversing key policies that supported the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

According to him, during the tenure of former Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, students were not burdened with Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levies or examination fees.

“Now, the NDC government has reintroduced education levies that were abolished under the NPP, increasing hardship on parents,” he alleged.

Odeneho Kwaku Appiah assured party supporters that after NPP’s internal elections, the party would intensify its role as a watchdog by holding the government accountable.

“The honeymoon is over for President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government. They promised a 24-hour economy and Women’s Bank among others, and we will continue to ask questions to ensure those promises are fulfilled.”

COKA also declared his intention to aspire for the Chairmanship of the party, for which reason he has decided not to support any of the five candidates contesting the party’s flagbearership on January 31, 2026.

“I want to become the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP,” he said, and pointed out that  “After the elections, we are the same people who will be responsible for leading reconciliation in the region,” stressing that it would be inappropriate “for me to openly campaign for or against any of the aspirants.

“Even though I will exercise my right to vote, l prefer to remain neutral than

openly supporting any of the candidates contesting the presidential primary”, he said.

He stressed that it would be inappropriate to publicly align himself with any particular candidate and declared that “Whoever the party elects as its flagbearer, I am fully committed to working with that person.”

 

COKA said all five aspirants have the experience and leadership qualities required to lead the party and govern the country.

He urged party supporters and delegates to avoid campaign activities that could deepen divisions within the party, stressing the importance of unity as the NPP prepares for future elections.

“All the candidates are experienced politicians who can develop the party and govern Ghana effectively.”

The candidates contesting the January 31 election include the 2024 Presidential candidate of the party, former Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former Education Minister Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, Kennedy Ohene Agyapon and former minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong.

According to COKA, the party’s success depends on cohesion rather than internal rivalry, regardless of who emerges as flagbearer.

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