Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Awentami Afoko, has revealed that his leadership strategy was rooted in empowering the party’s grassroots, stressing that building a strong base was the only way to secure electoral victories.
Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Afoko recounted how, during his tenure, he prioritised direct support to constituencies to ensure they had the resources needed to operate effectively.
“I was more in touch with the grassroots than any of them. I was the one sending money out. I was the one saying every constituency must be empowered. I was sitting in my personal office in Cantonments calling them and saying, open bank accounts,” he said.
According to Afoko, some party insiders initially discouraged constituencies from opening accounts, dismissing his directives. However, when deposits began to reflect, attitudes quickly changed.
“The naysayers were rather the ones calling constituencies and saying, ‘Oh don’t mind him, don’t open those accounts.’ But when they started seeing that ten thousand cedis was going into those accounts, they quickly opened them, and we sent the money,” he explained.
Afoko emphasized that his goal was to strengthen the party’s base, insisting that ordinary members and local structures remain the true owners of the NPP.
“I wanted to strengthen the base; that is where you win elections. When I went round, I told every party member that they should realize they are the true owners of the party,” he added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
