A new independent survey has projected James Owusu as the frontrunner in the race for the chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) USA Branch, with a commanding 64 percent of the vote in a three-way contest.
The poll, conducted by the Centre for Independent Election Research and Polls (CIER), places Owusu ahead of his main challengers, Kwesi Sarpong Afrifa and Janis Asare. The survey also projects a high voter turnout of 82.3 percent, with 709 out of 861 registered voters expected to participate across the branch’s 24 chapters.
According to the report, Owusu’s support base spans multiple regions, giving him a significant advantage in a race determined by simple majority. His campaign is said to have gained traction across key voting blocs, particularly within 13 critical chapters identified as decisive to the outcome of the election.
While Dr Afrifa is associated with the influential New Jersey bloc and Mr Asare campaigns from Washington, D.C., Owusu’s base in Cincinnati is described by observers as part of a growing grassroots network in the central United States. The survey suggests that his consistent engagement with members and chapter executives has contributed to his broad-based appeal.
The findings follow recent political fora organised by NPP chapters in New York and Massachusetts, where aspirants presented their visions and responded to questions on issues such as membership expansion, internal administration, financial transparency, and relations with the party leadership in Ghana. Participants indicated that Owusu delivered detailed proposals and maintained clarity in his responses, while his opponents also outlined their respective plans for the branch.
Beyond the chairmanship race, the survey also points to Darlington Nana Opoku as the leading candidate for the Branch Organiser position, with a projected 53.8 percent of the vote. The role is considered crucial to party operations, particularly in coordinating mobilisation efforts and expanding membership.
Despite the projections, analysts caution that polling data may not always translate into actual election outcomes, noting that turnout variations, last-minute campaigning, and shifting alliances could still influence the final results.
The upcoming elections are expected to fill several key executive positions within the branch, including Secretary, Vice Chairpersons, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser, and Nasara Organiser. The vote comes at a time when diaspora engagement is gaining prominence within the party, especially as early preparations begin toward Ghana’s 2028 general elections.
CIER emphasised that its findings reflect current voter preferences and that the final outcome will ultimately be determined by ballots cast on election day.
