James Owusu leads NPP-USA chairmanship race with 64% – CIER polls

A new independent survey has placed Mr James Owusu in a commanding position in the race for the chairmanship of the United States Branch of the New Patriotic Party, projecting that the Cincinnati based aspirant could secure a decisive victory when members go to the polls.

The survey, conducted by the Centre for Independent Election, Research & Polls (CIER) indicates that Mr Owusu is projected to obtain 64 percent of the vote in a three way contest involving Dr Kwesi Sarpong Afrifa and Mr Janis Asare. The research further estimates that 709 out of 861 registered voters across the branch’s 24 chapters are expected to participate in the election, representing a projected turnout of 82.3 percent.

The figures

According to the polling organisation, the figures are based on data gathered across the branch’s chapters and reflect a broad based level of support for Mr Owusu that cuts across regional lines. The Centre notes that in a race determined by simple majority, the projected margin places the candidate in a strong position ahead of election day.

The chairmanship contest has drawn attention across the diaspora branch, with the three aspirants representing different geographical bases within the United States. Dr Afrifa is associated with the New Jersey bloc, which has historically been influential within the branch due to its proximity to New York, the branch’s legal base. Mr Asare is campaigning from Washington DC, an area considered significant for its political visibility and institutional connections. Mr Owusu, meanwhile, is contesting from Cincinnati, representing what observers describe as a growing base of grassroots membership in the central United States.

Critical

Findings from the survey identify 13 chapters as critical to the outcome of the election due to their relatively high voter populations. These chapters, according to the Centre, form the core electoral map that candidates must secure in order to win the chairmanship.

The report states that Mr Owusu’s campaign has established a presence across all 13 of these key chapters, a development it attributes to sustained engagement with members and chapter executives over time. In contrast, the Centre’s data suggests that the support bases of Dr Afrifa and Mr Asare are more concentrated within specific regions.

The release of the polling data follows political fora organised by the New York and Massachusetts chapters, where aspirants for various executive positions engaged directly with members. The events, which took the form of structured discussions and question and answer sessions, provided candidates with the opportunity to present their plans and respond to issues raised by delegates.

Questions

Participants at the fora indicated that aspirants were questioned on a range of matters, including strategies for membership expansion, internal administration, financial transparency, and the relationship between the diaspora branch and the party’s leadership in Ghana.

According to accounts from attendees, Mr Owusu outlined detailed proposals relating to organisational development and membership mobilisation during the engagements. Delegates also noted that he responded to questions with clarity and consistency. Dr Afrifa and Mr Asare similarly presented their policy positions, each emphasising their experience and vision for strengthening the branch.

The Centre’s report suggests that the fora played a role in shaping voter perceptions, particularly among undecided delegates, although it does not quantify the extent of this impact.

Other positions

In addition to the chairmanship race, the survey also assessed other key positions within the branch. In the contest for Branch Organiser, Mr Darlington Nana Opoku is projected to lead with 53.8 percent of the vote.

The Organiser position is widely regarded as central to the functioning of the party, with responsibility for coordinating mobilisation efforts, expanding membership, and overseeing activities across chapters. Observers note that the outcome of this race will have implications for the operational effectiveness of the next executive committee.

Despite the projections, analysts caution that polling data does not necessarily translate directly into election outcomes. They point out that factors such as turnout variations, last minute campaigning, and shifting alliances could influence the final results.

The CIER say the elections are expected to fill several executive positions within the branch, including Secretary, Vice Chairpersons, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser, Nasara Organiser, Deputy Secretary, and other roles that collectively shape the branch’s leadership structure.

Diaspora engagement

According to CIER, the upcoming vote is taking place at a time when diaspora engagement is increasingly seen as important within the broader party framework, particularly as preparations gradually begin ahead of Ghana’s 2028 general elections. The level of participation projected by the survey suggests that members of the branch are actively seeking to influence the direction of leadership during this period.

While the polling data places Mr Owusu in a strong position, the CIER emphasises that the outcome will ultimately be determined by ballots cast on election day. Delegates across the 24 chapters are expected to decide not only the chairmanship but also the composition of the next executive committee, which will be tasked with steering the affairs of the branch in the coming years.

The CIER further states that its findings are based on data collected across the branch and are intended to provide a snapshot of current voter preferences ahead of the election.