Lawyer Ohene-Essel Enters Race for Bono NDC Regional Secretary Seat

A Sunyani-based lawyer, Ohene-Essel Etur Kwasi, has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the Bono Regional Secretary position of the National Democratic Congress, signalling what is expected to be a competitive race within Ghana's main opposition party ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Kwasi's announcement marks the beginning of a campaign centred on organisational renewal and electoral recovery in the Bono Region, one of the NDC's traditional strongholds. His declared priorities include retaining the party's 11 parliamentary seats in the region and recapturing Jaman South, which fell to the New Patriotic Party in the 2024 general elections.

Platform and Campaign Vision

In his declaration statement, the private legal practitioner emphasised that his candidacy transcends personal ambition, framing it instead as a strategic initiative to rebuild party infrastructure across constituencies. Kwasi has stressed the importance of ensuring that every constituency member feels represented and informed, positioning himself as a candidate focused on systemic strengthening rather than symbolic leadership.

His central message resonates with broader NDC concerns about consolidating support after the 2024 electoral setback. The party's performance in the Bono Region, whilst respectable, demonstrated vulnerability in previously safe constituencies, making organisational reform a critical theme in the upcoming internal contest.

Experience and Professional Background

Kwasi brings demonstrable party experience to his candidacy. He has served on the Bono Regional Disciplinary Committee since 2021 and held the position of Acting Legal Director for the region in 2025. During the 2024 general elections, he led a team of eleven NDC lawyers monitoring proceedings in Bono East, gaining practical insight into electoral processes and potential vulnerabilities.

Professionally, Kwasi is a partner at Otu-Essel, Tuah-Yeboah & Associates (Asempa Chambers) in Sunyani. He holds a law degree from Mountcrest University College and completed his legal training at the Ghana School of Law. He also possesses a BSc in Computer Science from the Catholic University, a qualification potentially relevant to improving party information systems and communication infrastructure.

What This Means for Bono NDC and Ghana's Political Landscape

The race for Bono Regional Secretary reflects deeper currents within the NDC as it prepares for 2028. With nominations opening on 6 October 2026 and elections scheduled for 14-15 November 2026, the party is entering a critical phase of renewal. Multiple sources suggest at least two additional candidates are considering entering the race, promising a genuinely contested election rather than a coronation.

The sitting Regional Secretary, Dennis Yeboah Twumasi, is reportedly stepping aside to focus on his role as Deputy Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority, creating space for fresh leadership. This transition presents an opportunity for the NDC to recalibrate its approach in a region that delivered crucial votes during the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administrations but where electoral gains remain uneven.

Kwasi's emphasis on grassroots reorganisation aligns with widespread NDC thinking about how the party lost ground in 2024. The focus on retaining existing seats while recapturing lost ones suggests a pragmatic rather than purely aspirational approach—acknowledging that electoral recovery requires both consolidation and strategic offensive moves.

Early supporters, including party voices on social media, have highlighted Kwasi's experience and grassroots understanding as key assets. Whether this translates into broader constituency backing will become clear as nominations open and the full slate of candidates emerges. The Bono regional election will serve as a barometer for internal NDC dynamics ahead of the national contest in 2028.