Kwasi Bonzoh cleared to contest NPP Western Regional Secretary election

The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Steering Committee has overturned the disqualification of Kwasi Bonzoh, popularly known as Bonzo K, allowing him to contest the party’s Western Regional Secretary election.

Bonzoh had been barred from the race by the Regional Vetting and Appeals Committees, which ruled that he did not hold a university degree. The decision has now been reversed after he submitted a formal petition challenging his disqualification.

The NPP National Steering Committee reviewed the matter under Regulation 9 and instructed the Western Regional Steering Committee to implement its ruling immediately. Bonzoh is therefore eligible to take part in the election for the regional secretary position.

The decision restores the candidacy of the former Ellembelle District Chief Executive, who had been seeking the opportunity to serve as the party’s secretary in the Western Region.

Bonzoh has been involved in the NPP’s activities for several years, with particular emphasis on grassroots mobilisation in the Ellembelle area. His work in the constituency has contributed to his profile within the party and formed part of his case in seeking to remain in the contest.

He has also stood as the NPP’s candidate for the Ellembelle parliamentary seat on four occasions. However, each of those contests was won by candidates representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The dispute over his qualification centred on whether a degree was required to contest the internal party position. The regional committees had relied on the absence of such an academic qualification when they disqualified him from the election.

In overturning that ruling, the National Steering Committee backed Bonzoh’s petition and directed the regional party structure to give effect to the decision without delay.

The issue also comes against the background of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. It provides that a person of sound mind is eligible to hold public office and does not set an academic qualification as a requirement for such positions.

Bonzoh’s reinstatement means he can now continue his campaign for the Western Regional Secretary role, after the national party leadership rejected the grounds on which his candidacy had initially been blocked.

The decision was reported by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) from Takoradi on 4 August. The report was written by Mildred Siabi-Mensah and edited by Justina Hilda Paaga and Audrey Dekalu.