The Upper West Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Saanbaye Basilide Kangbere, widely known as Chairman Heavy Weight, has passed away at his home in Adjringano, Accra. He died on Friday, June 7, 2024.
Dr. Kangbere, 76, had been battling a renal health issue in recent times. Despite health concerns, he was re-elected as the Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP in 2022, narrowly defeating his main contender, Alhaji Mahama Toyina.
The NPP delegates in the Upper West Region re-elected Dr. Kangbere on May 29, 2022, with 130 votes out of 242 valid votes cast. His contender, Mahama Toyina, received 112 votes. The first Vice Chairman position was secured by Adul-Rahman Aziz with 157 votes, while Muhammed Aziz Gado became the second Vice Chairman with 84 votes.
Dr. Kangbere’s death is a significant loss for the NPP as it prepares for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. The party, which lost some ground in the Upper West Region during the 2020 elections, had hoped to recover in the upcoming December 2024 general elections.
Following his death, the first Vice Chairman of the NPP in the Upper West Region, Adul-Rahman Aziz, is expected to assume the role of Regional Chairman.
