The Upper West Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Saanbaye Basilide Kangbere, popularly known as (Chairman Heavy Weight), has died at his home in Adjringano in Accra.
Kangberee passed away on Friday, 7 June 2024.
Dr Kangberee (76) has not been well in recent times. It is reported that he has been battling with a renal health issue. In 2022 as the incumbent Upper West Regional chairman of the NPP, he was reelected after beating his main contender, Alhaji Mahama Toyina, by a slim margin contrary to earlier concerns about his defeat.
The Upper West Region delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) two years ago (29 May 2022) retained Dr Saanbaye Basilide Kangbere, the incumbent regional Chairman to lead the party in the region for the additional four years (2022 to 2026).
Dr Kangbere polled 130 votes out of a total of 242 valid votes cast, while his contender, Mr Mahama Toyiba had 112 valid votes. The first Vice Chairman position went to Mr Adul-Rahman Aziz who had 157 votes, while Mr Muhammed Aziz Gado had 84 votes to emerge second vice chairman.
His death will come as a blow to the NPP as it prepares for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. The NPP lost some grounds in the Upper West Region during the 2020 elections and was looking forward to recovering the lost grounds in the December 2024 general elections.
The first vice chairman of the NPP in the Upper West Region, Mr Adul-Rahman Aziz, is expected to assume the role of Chairman of the NPP in the Upper West region following the death of the incumbent regional chairman.
Asaase radio