Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Awentami Paul Afoko on Tuesday formally filed his nomination papers to contest the party’s National Chairmanship, declaring that the election must focus on rebuilding a united, disciplined organisation capable of returning the NPP to power in 2028.
Speaking at the party’s headquarters after submitting his forms, Afoko said he was seeking the mandate “with humility, with gratitude and with an abiding faith in the New Patriotic Party and in its capacity to rise again.”
He stressed that the decision rests solely with the delegates and that he respects that responsibility completely.
Afoko structured his campaign around three objectives – Reunite, Reorganise and Recapture.
He argued that internal contests had left members hurt, friendships strained and labels attached to loyal Patriots.
“There cannot be one NPP for those who supported Candidate A and another NPP for those who supported Candidate B,” he said. “There is only one New Patriotic Party.”
He further pledged that if elected he would enter office “with no enemies to punish, no scores to settle and no faction to reward,” and described his fellow contestants as “brothers and fellow Patriots.” He returned, he added, “without bitterness” and “without rancour.”
Afoko insisted the party’s strength begins at the polling station and must not be reversed.
He therefore called for empowered constituencies, respected Polling Station Executives, a strengthened communications machinery, data-driven electoral systems, a revitalised TESCON and a central role for women and young people.
“We must not only bring back those who have left us. We must give a new generation of Ghanaians a reason to join us,” he said.
He also gave an unqualified commitment to work with presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“If you elect me National Chairman, I will work loyally and tirelessly with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to return the New Patriotic Party to government in 2028.”
He described the roles of flagbearer and chairman as complementary rather than competitive.
Responding to suggestions that a northern presidential candidate should not be paired with a northern chairman, Afoko rejected geographical barriers.
“The NPP has never been a federation of geographical enclaves. The elephant has no northern leg and southern leg. Every leg belongs to the same elephant.” He urged delegates to judge candidates by competence, integrity, experience and temperament.
In a notable departure from factional politics, Afoko announced he has “no slate.”
He said he would not endorse preferred candidates for General Secretary, National Organiser, Treasurer, Vice Chairman or any other national position.
“Give me the team of your choice, and I will work with that team,” he told delegates. “I do not need an Afoko team at national headquarters. I need an NPP team.”
Drawing on his previous tenure, Afoko said experience is valuable only when placed at the service of the future. He addressed grassroots officers directly—“I see you”—and told ordinary Ghanaians that the NPP must first put its own house in order before asking for the national mandate again.
Afoko closed with a simple contract: if given the mandate he would serve as “Chairman for every member of the New Patriotic Party”—supporters and non-supporters, veterans and newcomers alike.
“No Afoko faction. No regional faction. No candidate’s faction. One Party. One family. One purpose. One united NPP,” he declared.
He ended with the traditional party slogan: “Kukrudu! Kukrudu!! Kukrudu!!!” and called on God to bless the NPP, Dr Bawumia and Ghana.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
