Tawiah Boateng Targets 15 Seats for NDC in Eastern Region, Pledges Party Unity
Hon Bismark Tawiah Boateng, a former Eastern Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared his intention to return to the position, promising to unite the party and increase its parliamentary seats from nine to 15 ahead of the 2028 general elections.
According to him, he has been involved in the NDC for 34 years and believes his extensive experience at the grassroots, constituency, regional and national levels puts him in a strong position to rebuild the party’s structures and improve its electoral fortunes in the Eastern Region.
Speaking in an interview with ExpressNewsGhana at the party’s national headquarters known as “J.J. Rawlings House”, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Accra, Mr Boateng pledged to run a clean campaign and work with all stakeholders to strengthen the party.
“I have been in the NDC for 34 years. I have experience at the grassroots, constituency, regional and national levels, and I believe I can use that experience to move the party forward,” he said.
Mr Boateng previously served as Eastern Regional Chairman from 2014 to 2018. He acknowledged that he had lost two subsequent attempts but said he was returning to the contest with renewed determination to lead the party.
He said his immediate priority would be to reconcile aggrieved members and bring former regional executives, constituency officers, Members of Parliament and other party stakeholders together to rebuild the NDC’s strength in the region.
“I am coming back to bring everybody on board, especially the former executives, former MPs and other stakeholders, so that together we can build the NDC in the Eastern Region,” he stated.
According to him, an effective regional administration must give party officers clearly defined responsibilities and ensure that the party’s structures work closely with government institutions to promote development and communicate the government’s achievements to the electorate.
He proposed strengthening the roles of constituency communication officers and regional communicators, including closer coordination with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), regional authorities and other government representatives.
He said constituency communication officers could help explain government projects to party members and the public, while regional communicators could serve as a link between the party and the Regional Minister.
Mr Boateng also called for greater engagement with founding members, financiers and other influential party stakeholders to mobilise resources and build a united front ahead of the next general election.
Targets 15 parliamentary seats
The former regional chairman said his ambition was to increase the NDC’s parliamentary representation in the Eastern Region from nine seats to 15 by the 2028 elections.
He described the target as achievable through deliberate planning, effective constituency-level organisation and sustained engagement with voters.
“We have nine seats now, but I am targeting 15 seats for the NDC in 2028 and beyond. It is a gradual process, and we must work hard to achieve it,” he said.
He indicated that his strategy would include defending the party’s existing parliamentary seats while identifying constituencies where improved organisation could help the NDC win additional seats.
He also expressed a strong desire to reclaim constituencies previously held by the party but lost in subsequent elections, while supporting sitting MPs to retain their seats.
Mr Tawiah Boateng stressed that the party needed a strong regional leadership capable of mobilising its supporters and increasing its presidential vote share in the region.
He argued that the NDC must begin preparations early for the 2028 elections, particularly because President John Dramani Mahama is constitutionally barred from seeking another term after completing his current tenure.
He said the party needed experienced leadership and a strong organisational structure to position it for another electoral victory.
Promises inclusive leadership
Mr Tawiah Boateng criticised what he described as the sidelining of some former party executives and stakeholders under the current regional administration, arguing that the party could not afford internal divisions at a time when it needed to consolidate its electoral gains.
He pledged to adopt an inclusive approach that would give party officers and experienced members meaningful roles in the regional administration.
“I want to bring everybody on board. We cannot build the party when people who have sacrificed for it are left out. We need everybody’s contribution to move forward,” he said.
He urged party members contesting various constituency positions to conduct themselves responsibly, warning that internal elections should not undermine the unity and reputation of the NDC.
“Whatever happens in the upcoming constituency election, when you win, you win for the NDC. If you lose, you lose for the party, and you must be prepared to come back and help the party win the general election,” he said.
He wished all aspirants well and called on those responsible for organising the party’s internal elections to ensure a fair and transparent process.
Acknowledges concerns over roads
Commenting on the performance of the NDC government in the Eastern Region, Mr Tawiah Boateng acknowledged concerns among residents about the condition of some major roads.
He said roads linking communities to Koforidua and other parts of the region required attention, adding that the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme needed to address key routes beyond areas already benefiting from major road projects.
He specifically highlighted the need for improvements to roads serving Afram Plains, where transportation challenges continue to affect residents and economic activity.
He, however, expressed optimism about ongoing road works in parts of the area, noting that contractors had begun preparatory activities and were assembling materials for infrastructure works, including a bridge across the Afram River to Afram Plains South and North Constituencies.
Mr Tawiah Boateng maintained that addressing infrastructure concerns would be important to strengthening public confidence in the government and improving the NDC’s electoral prospects.
He said his proposed leadership would focus on party unity, stronger grassroots organisation, effective communication and development advocacy as part of efforts to expand the party’s parliamentary representation and improve its performance in the 2028 general elections.
The Eastern Regional Chairmanship is currently held by Oliver Klevor, who is expected to face competition as the NDC prepares for its internal elections.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
About Author
