Chief of Staff Julius Debrah Arrives at Kwahu Obomeng as NDC Eastern Regional Conference Holds

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Eastern Regional Conference converged on Kwahu Obomeng on Friday, November 13, 2026, with the arrival of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah drawing significant attention as the party sought to elect new regional executives and consolidate its gains in a region traditionally considered an opposition stronghold.

Dr. Debrah, who hails from the Eastern Region and serves as Chief of Staff to President John Dramani Mahama, visited the voting centre at the Obomeng AstroTurf to monitor proceedings and address delegates . His presence underscored the importance the national party hierarchy places on the Eastern Region, where the NDC secured approximately 46 percent of the presidential vote in 2024—a notable improvement from 38 percent in 2020 .

Call for Unity

Addressing delegates and supporters, Dr. Debrah urged restraint and party cohesion regardless of the election outcome.

"I urge all the delegates to be united and vote peacefully today. The atmosphere here and the enthusiasm tell us that indeed we are resetting the country," he said. "We are all one family, and we should remain united regardless of who wins or loses" .

The Chief of Staff also expressed optimism about the party's prospects in the Eastern Region, stating that the NDC could build on its recent electoral performance to make further gains in future elections .

The Contest

More than 1,000 delegates from across the Eastern Region gathered at Kwahu Obomeng to elect new executives to steer the party's affairs for the next four years . Voting commenced at approximately 10 a.m. across six designated centres on the field.

The chairmanship position attracted keen interest, with incumbent Ing. Mark Oliver Kevor facing challenges from returning contender Bismark Tawiah Boateng and former regional executive David Dakudzi . Other positions, including Regional Communications Officer and Regional Secretary, also saw competitive races.

Among the party stalwarts monitoring proceedings were former Finance Minister Seth Terkper and a former National Chairman of the NDC . The Vice Chairman for the Eastern Regional Election, Baba Jamal Konnel, directed police to arrest any delegate caught photographing ballots in the voting booth, emphasizing the party's commitment to a free and fair process .

A Party in Transition

The Eastern Regional elections form part of the NDC's broader reorganization ahead of national executive elections scheduled for December 19, 2026, and positioning for the 2028 general elections . The newly elected regional executives will be tasked with strengthening grassroots structures, maintaining internal cohesion, and consolidating the party's electoral gains in the region.

Dr. Debrah's political trajectory has been closely tied to President Mahama's resurgence. Media personality Paul Adom-Otchere has credited the Chief of Staff with playing a pivotal role in persuading Mahama to contest the presidency again after his 2016 defeat, working behind the scenes to mobilize support and resources . Dr. Debrah was later appointed Chief of Staff following Mahama's 2024 electoral victory.

The Chief of Staff, who earned a PhD in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of Ghana in July 2026, previously served as Minister for Local Government and Rural Development and as Regional Minister for both the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions .

What Comes Next

The newly elected Eastern Regional executives will face the immediate challenge of unifying a party apparatus that has shown competitive internal contests. With the NDC seeking to narrow the electoral gap in a region the New Patriotic Party has long dominated, the outcomes at Kwahu Obomeng will be closely watched as a bellwether for the party's organizational strength heading into the 2028 cycle.

For Dr. Debrah, the visit to his home region represented more than a routine party function. It signaled the Chief of Staff's continued engagement with grassroots politics—a role that has defined his relationship with the NDC's base and with the President he serves.

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Related: NDC delegates across all 16 regions vote for regional executives on November 14–15, 2026, ahead of the party's national executive elections in December .