Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Awentami Paul Afoko, has announced his intention to seek re-election for the party’s top executive position for a second time.
In a statement issued in Accra yesterday, Mr Afoko said his decision to contest for the chairmanship followed “extensive reflection and encouragement from many well-meaning members, supporters and stakeholders of the New Patriotic Party.”
It stressed the need for "renewed leadership rooted in the founding values and democratic ideals" of the NPP.
It acknowledged the personal difficulties he (Afoko) endured, noting that the journey "has not been without its trials," but stressed that he has "always chosen to prioritise the unity and progress of the NPP".
Agenda
Mr Afoko’s spokesperson, Nana Yaw Osei, told the Daily Graphic that Mr Afoko would be seeking to rebuild and strengthen the party with a commitment to re-energise the party structure; promote inclusivity by ensuring the party was broad-based and representative of all stakeholders.
He said Mr Afoko would lead the party with accountability and a clear sense of purpose with integrity and transparency.
Mr Afoko first won the NPP Chairmanship position on April 12, 2014, at a party congress in Tamale, becoming the first person of Northern Ghanaian extraction (a Builsa from the Upper East Region) to occupy the National Chairmanship post.
He secured a decisive majority, polling 2,034 votes against his closest rival, Stephen Ntim, who garnered 1,503 votes, a margin of 531 votes.
His chairmanship was marred by severe factional conflicts and allegations of undermining the then-flag bearer, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which resulted in his indefinite suspension in 2015 by the party's disciplinary committee.
This action, alongside the suspension of General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, and Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe, at the time, plunged the party into a deep constitutional crisis that was ultimately contested in court.
During his tenure, Mr Afoko was pursuing a reformist agenda focused on strengthening grassroots structures.
He famously implemented a financial initiative where he 'pushed GH¢10,000' into every single constituency to ensure they opened and maintained bank accounts, a measure he insisted was to modernise party operations and ensure transparency, despite facing strong internal opposition.
Return
Mr Afoko’s second bid for the chairmanship places him in direct confrontation with the current party leadership and structure that oversaw his removal.
His return signifies a persistent belief that his suspension—which he disputed as both legally and constitutionally flawed—was unjust.
His declaration signals a change of heart, driven by a desire to fulfil his mandate to reform the party's institutional framework.
