“No Sumaila Boakye, No Vote!” – Angry GPRTU Delegates Protest Against National Executives, Forcing Suspension of Ashanti Regional Elections in Kumasi

Chaos erupted at the Ashanti Regional headquarters of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Kumasi on Monday as hundreds of furious delegates halted ongoing regional elections over the controversial disqualification of their incumbent chairman, Mr. Sumaila Boakye.

What was supposed to be a smooth and democratic election turned into a dramatic standoff after delegates discovered that Mr. Boakye had been barred from contesting the race for the chairmanship—a position he currently holds and was seeking re-election to. The announcement of his disqualification sparked immediate outrage among the majority of delegates, who accused the GPRTU national executives of deliberate interference in the region’s democratic process.

The delegates claim that the disqualification was masterminded by the National Chairman of GPRTU, Nana Nimako Asiamah, along with other national leaders, who allegedly secured a last-minute court injunction to prevent Mr. Boakye from appearing on the ballot. The move, which was not officially communicated to delegates ahead of time, was met with widespread anger and disbelief.

In a swift and fiery response, the enraged delegates brought proceedings to a standstill, chanting in unison, “No Sumaila Boakye, No Vote!” Some physically blocked the entrance to the election grounds, while others displayed placards that read: “We Stand With Sumaila,” “Respect Our Voice,” and “Democracy Under Siege.”

“Our candidate has been unfairly targeted. This injunction is a political weapon used by the national leadership to eliminate a strong and competent contender. We are not going to tolerate this injustice,” one delegate told reporters.

Another delegate from Ejisu added, “We left our stations and travelled long distances for this election only to be told that the most popular candidate has been blocked. This is a clear attack on democracy and on the will of the people.”

According to several GPRTU members present at the venue, Mr. Boakye’s removal from the race is not just about an individual but about a broader fight against perceived political manipulation and disregard for regional autonomy. They argue that Mr. Boakye has served the union with transparency, unity, and a progressive agenda, making him a target for those who prefer centralized control.

“We are not fighting for just Sumaila Boakye; we are fighting for fairness,” a delegate from Manso Nkwanta stated. “Ashanti Region deserves the right to elect its own leader without being bullied from above.”

The growing tension and escalating protest forced the election officials to call off the process indefinitely. In a press briefing later in the day, Mr. Samuel Addai, the Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman of GPRTU, confirmed the suspension of the elections and expressed disappointment over how the situation was handled.

“The elections have been suspended until further notice. The delegates are deeply upset, and as leaders, we understand their concerns. The current atmosphere is not conducive for any fair voting to take place,” Mr. Addai said.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no formal response from the national leadership of GPRTU regarding the injunction or the future of the elections. However, pressure is mounting for an independent review of the decision and the immediate reinstatement of Mr. Sumaila Boakye to ensure a credible and peaceful electoral process.

Meanwhile, delegates have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met, sending a clear message that Ashanti Region will not be silenced or sidelined in matters affecting its leadership.