Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, widely known as COKA, joined members of the Matan Nasara group to fry eggs shortly after arriving at the election centre for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional executive elections on Saturday.
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP is seeking to reclaim the position as the party chooses new regional executives across the country.
COKA’s decision to take part in preparing food came before voting began and quickly became one of the most notable moments at the election centre. Rather than simply observing proceedings after his arrival, he joined the women at their cooking station and helped fry eggs for those gathered at the venue.
The cooking was taking place under a tent arranged by women’s groups within the party. The groups had organised food and refreshments for delegates who would remain at the centre during the voting process.
His participation attracted cheers from delegates and party supporters at the scene. The response gave the election centre a lively atmosphere as attendees waited for voting to commence.
The gesture also placed COKA among the party members contributing to preparations around the event, even as attention focused on the contest for the Ashanti Regional executive positions. He is attempting to return to the regional chairmanship, a role he held previously, while the NPP conducts elections to select new regional executives nationwide.
The Ashanti Regional election is therefore significant for COKA, who is competing to regain the leadership position. His appearance at the food tent, however, offered a more informal moment before the formal electoral process got under way.
Members of the Matan Nasara group and other women involved in the arrangements continued preparing refreshments for delegates at the tent. COKA’s decision to join them, even briefly, drew the attention of people at the centre and prompted the cheers that followed.
Delegates and supporters were still awaiting the start of voting when the former regional chairman took part in frying the eggs. The scene added an unusual and more relaxed element to proceedings at a venue where party members had gathered for the Ashanti Regional executive elections.
Across the country, the NPP is electing new regional executives, with the Ashanti contest including COKA’s bid to reclaim his former office. His participation in the food preparations came shortly after he reached the election centre and before delegates began voting.
