Kojo Bamba, also known as Kwadwo Fosu Boadu, has been elected as the National First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He secured the position with 3,116 votes, emerging top in a crowded field of 13 aspirants at the NPP's National Delegates Conference held in Kumasi on October 3, 2026. Bamba's election marks a significant milestone in his political journey, which began at the party's grassroots and passed through some of its most controversial chapters.
Before his rise to national prominence, Bamba led Delta Force, a pro-NPP vigilante group infamous in the Ashanti Region following the party's 2016 electoral victory. As a former auto mechanic, Bamba led the group during a period of heightened tension, including a revolt against the appointment of George Adjei as Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, which culminated in violence and court action. Members of Delta Force were subsequently convicted and fined for their actions.
Bamba's campaign for the First Vice Chairmanship was anchored on a simple message: the party's return to power in 2028 depends on the strength of its grassroots structures. He engaged delegates across constituencies in the Ashanti Region, arguing that constituency executives are the party's "frontline soldiers" who mobilise supporters and protect polling stations long before national leaders arrive on the campaign trail. Bamba pledged to fight relentlessly for the welfare of party executives, promising to correct past mistakes and improve conditions for members and executives across the country.
Despite his past association with Delta Force, Bamba has positioned himself as an advocate for peaceful elections. Ahead of the Akwatia by-election in 2025, he joined the party's campaign and urged residents to vote in an atmosphere of calm, stressing that Ghana's democracy can only flourish when elections are conducted free from violence and intimidation. Bamba's message resonated with delegates, who saw him as a leader who could bring a new level of commitment to grassroots empowerment.
Bamba's election as First Vice Chairman places him at the heart of the NPP's national leadership as the party prepares for the 2028 general elections. He will work alongside National Chairman John Boadu, Second Vice Chairman Henry Nana Boakye, and Third Vice Chairman Nana Akomea, as well as other newly elected national officers. Bamba's message of grassroots empowerment is expected to shape the party's organisational strategy as it seeks to rebuild and reclaim power.
Bamba's transition from vigilante leadership to formal party structures began in 2018 when he was appointed Deputy National Director of Operations of the NPP's youth wing. This position marked a significant turning point in his political career, as he began to work within the party's formal structures. Bamba's experience in this role likely contributed to his success in the First Vice Chairman election.
As Bamba assumes his new role, he faces the challenge of uniting the party and working towards the 2028 general elections. His election, along with that of other new national officers, is seen as a significant step towards rebuilding and revitalising the NPP. With his experience and commitment to grassroots empowerment, Bamba is expected to play a key role in shaping the party's strategy and direction in the coming years.
Key points
- Kojo Bamba's election as NPP First Vice Chairman marks a significant milestone in his political journey from leading Delta Force to becoming a key figure in the party's national leadership.
