Henry Kwabena Kokofu declares bid for NPP General Secretary, highlights experience and party credentials

Former Member of Parliament for Bantama, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has emerged as a key figure in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) General Secretary race, presenting a blend of political experience, academic credentials and public service as the foundation of his candidacy.

Born on October 5, 1960, Dr Kokofu served in the Sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, representing the Bantama Constituency on the ticket of the NPP. His political journey, however, began long before his time in Parliament, spanning grassroots mobilisation and various internal party roles at the constituency, regional and national levels.

Within the NPP, Dr Kokofu has held positions including Polling Station Chairman, Electoral Area Coordinator for North Suntreso in the Bantama Constituency, and two-term Constituency Chairman for Bantama. He has also served as Finance Committee Chairman, Reconciliation Committee Secretary and Election Committee Secretary in the Ashanti Region. In addition, he has been a member of both regional and national communication teams for 25 years.

Observers say this extensive involvement in the party’s internal structures has given him a deep understanding of organisational dynamics in the country.

Beyond partisan politics, Dr Kokofu has built a career in public administration and corporate governance. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and has sat on several governing boards, including the Forestry Commission, Lands Commission, Petroleum Commission, Ghana Maritime Authority and the National Development Planning Commission.

His professional background also includes academia and legal practice. He has lectured at the University of Ghana, Legon, and is a partner at Amicus/Daniellen Chambers. He is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Ghana Bar Association and the International Bar Association, and is a Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Foresters and OSHA (Ghana and UK).

Academically, Dr Kokofu holds a PhD in Environmental Science and multiple postgraduate degrees, including an LLM in Oil and Gas Law, an LLM in National Security Law and Practice (ongoing), an MSc in Defence and International Politics, and an MSc in Agroforestry. He is also a Barrister-at-Law and holds an LLB and a BSc in Natural Resources Management.

In addition to his domestic roles, he has represented Ghana internationally as Presidential Special Envoy of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), participating in global engagements on behalf of the President. He has also served as a regional representative for EXPERT 365 PTY in Melbourne, Australia.

Dr Kokofu’s campaign for the General Secretary position centres on integrity, participatory leadership and strengthening party structures. He has pledged transparent governance, renewed grassroots engagement and strategic planning aimed at consolidating the NPP’s electoral dominance in the region.

He confirmed to our news team that he will contest for the position of General Secretary when the party opens nominations.

“I will contest for General Secretary of the NPP when the party opens nominations.

I want to confirm that, yes, I will contest. By the will of the delegates, I will be the best General Secretary of the NPP. It is confirmed, and I want to state today in this interview that, yes, I will contest for General Secretary and I know, by the grace of God and the will of the delegates, I will be the next General Secretary of our party.”

He promised to solve challenges facing the party.

“I am ready to help resolve whatever challenges we are facing and put the party back on its proper trail.

People are yearning for an experienced, mature person to run the party, and I provide that. I have gone through the mill.

I have been a Polling Station Executive, Polling Station Chairman, Polling Station Coordinator, two-term Bantama Chairman, an Assembly Member (government appointee), Ashanti Regional Reconciliation Committee Secretary, Ashanti Regional Election Committee Secretary, and I have been an MP for Bantama. I have also been a Regional and National Communications Team member for 25 years, speaking for and on behalf of the party, defending its legacies and protecting its integrity at all times.

When it comes to defending the party, emotional sentiment must be managed, and I have demonstrated that. I come with a complete set of emotional intelligence, emotional stability and sustained composure when the going gets tough.”