Afoko seeks NPP chairmanship again

Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Awentami Afoko, has declared his intention to contest the party’s chairmanship position once again in the upcoming national officers’ election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 28, Mr. Afoko described his decision as the result of “extensive reflection and encouragement from many well-meaning members, supporters, and stakeholders of the New Patriotic Party.”

The move marks a significant comeback bid for the politician whose first tenure was cut short by a controversial suspension nearly a decade ago.

Mr. Afoko’s re-entry into the race revives memories of one of the most turbulent chapters in the NPP’s internal politics.

Elected in April 2014 at a congress in Tamale, he made history as the first person from Northern Ghana, a Builsa from the Upper East Region, to chair the party. He secured a decisive victory with 2,034 votes against Stephen Ntim’s 1,503, a margin of 531 votes.

During his brief but eventful tenure, Mr. Afoko launched a reformist agenda aimed at strengthening grassroots structures.

One of his hallmark initiatives was directing GHS 10,000 to each constituency to help open and maintain bank accounts, a move designed to modernize party finances and promote transparency. However, his efforts were met with resistance from within the party hierarchy.

His chairmanship was soon overshadowed by deep internal rifts and allegations of working against the then-flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

These tensions culminated in his indefinite suspension in 2015, alongside General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong and Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe. The move plunged the NPP into a constitutional crisis that was later battled in court.

In his latest statement, Mr. Afoko said his decision to return is driven by a desire for “renewed leadership rooted in the founding values and democratic ideals” of the NPP.

He admitted that his journey “has not been without its trials” but maintained that his priority remains the unity and progress of the party.

He outlined his new vision under three key pillars: rebuilding and strengthening party structures, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring integrity and transparency in leadership.

Mr. Afoko’s comeback sets the stage for a tense contest with the current leadership that oversaw his removal, rekindling debates about internal democracy and accountability within the NPP.