In a fiercely contested rerun election held in Bantama, Kingsley Atta, popularly known as Wofa Atta, has been elected Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), narrowly defeating the incumbent Chairman, Fiifi Mensah, by just four votes.

The election took a dramatic turn when early results from the first two polling centres, which had prompted supporters of the incumbent chairman to celebrate, were overturned by the tally from the third and final centre.

This created a tense scene at the venue, as the initial celebrants quickly dispersed following the announcement of the final results.

The election, held at the Cultural Centre Dwarebrem in Kumasi, saw Mr Atta poll 570 votes to edge past incumbent Fiifi Mensah, who secured 566 votes. Out of a total of 1,286 registered delegates, the voting process was described as peaceful, orderly and transparent.

Following his hard-fought victory, the newly elected chairman called for absolute unity and hard work at all levels of the party to ensure the NPP secures victory in the 2028 general elections.

Addressing journalists and delegates after his declaration, Wofa Atta expressed gratitude to God and the delegates for placing their trust in him. He declared that internal rivalries were now over and that rebuilding party cohesion would be his top priority.

“Though you have lost or won the election, do not go and sit down. Let us all come together to work for the party. The election is over, and our attention must now turn to strengthening our grassroots structures, promoting unity, and working tirelessly towards victory in 2028,” he stated.

He also commended the outgoing Chairman, Fiifi Mensah, for displaying political maturity by accepting the verdict of the delegates gracefully.

Demonstrating sportsmanship, the outgoing chairman expressed his appreciation to the delegates for supporting him throughout his tenure.

He congratulated Wofa Atta and the newly elected executive team, appealing to all members, both winners and losers, to put the contest behind them and unite behind the party’s ultimate objective of securing victory in 2028.

Meanwhile, the election, which was certified by the Presiding Officer, Stella Sarpong, as a true and accurate reflection of the ballots cast, produced the following executive team:

First Vice Chairman: Vincent K. Amoabeng – 867 votes; defeated Michael K. Antwi – 268 votes.

Second Vice Chairman: Frank Caleb Boateng – 794 votes; defeated Kwame Adu – 339 votes.

Deputy Secretary: Kwadwo Adu – 688 votes; defeated Samuel Osei – 450 votes.

Treasurer: Vivian Arthur – 738 votes; defeated Rachel Ingrid – 397 votes.

Organiser: Eric Mensah – 644 votes; defeated George Acheampong – 16 votes.

Youth Organiser: Nana Kwabena Boakye Danquah Shadoff – 840 votes; defeated Solomon Kwame Agyapong – 298 votes.

Communication Officer: Addai Kingsford – 695 votes; defeated Kennedy K. Oduro Boadi – 227 votes and Emmanuel Nsafoah – 213 votes.

Women Organiser: Josephine Ama Pomaa – 572 votes; narrowly defeated Salomey Addae – 563 votes.

The election results, which initially saw supporters of the incumbent chairman jubilating after the counting of the first two centres, were suddenly overturned after the third and final centre was counted.

The unexpected outcome created a dramatic scene at the venue, as the initial jubilants quickly dispersed.