Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Awentami Afoko, has officially declared his intention to contest for the party’s National Chairmanship, promising to reunite the party, strengthen its structures, and lead efforts to recapture political power ahead of the 2028 general elections.
According to him, his decision followed months of nationwide consultations with the party’s leadership, elders, grassroots members, former presidents, Members of Parliament, and the party’s 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the former National Chairman said his engagements were consultations rather than campaign activities, noting that he remains committed to respecting the NPP’s internal rules governing the election of national executives.
Also read:Â COMAC urges Government to keep petroleum taxes stable
Mr. Afoko unveiled what he described as the “3Rs Agenda”—Reunite, Rebuild and Recapture—which he said would serve as the foundation of his leadership if elected National Chairman.
According to him, the NPP cannot return to government unless it first heals internal divisions, restores discipline and rebuilds trust among its members.
“The New Patriotic Party cannot win when it is divided. We must bring back respect, discipline, tolerance and loyalty to a cause greater than any individual,” he said.
He pledged to serve as a reconciler rather than a factional leader, promising to bridge divisions across generations, regions and competing interests within the party.
Afoko said rebuilding the party’s grassroots structures would be central to his leadership, recalling initiatives introduced during his previous tenure as National Chairman, including strengthening constituency structures and improving financial support to local party executives.
He promised to empower polling station executives, constituency and regional officers, improve internal communication and ensure party resources reached grassroots members.
“As National Chairman, I will be a team player, organiser, fundraiser, disciplinarian and servant of the party,” he stated.
The former chairman also pledged his full support for the presidential candidature of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, insisting that the NPP’s next electoral success would depend on a united and disciplined party machinery.
Afoko argued that the party’s defeat in the 2024 elections could not be blamed on a single individual, saying elections are influenced by multiple factors, including organisation, communication, economic conditions and grassroots mobilisation.
He called on party members to stop the blame game and instead focus on rebuilding ahead of the next elections.
Responding to concerns over both the NPP’s presidential candidate and National Chairmanship potentially coming from northern Ghana, Afoko rejected suggestions that regional origin should determine leadership positions.
He maintained that the NPP has always been a national party built on ideas rather than ethnicity or geography.
“The question before the party should not be where a leader comes from, but who can unite the party, reorganise it and help us return to government,” he said.
He argued that his election alongside Dr. Bawumia would demonstrate the NPP’s national character and inclusiveness rather than regional dominance.
Mr. Afoko also appealed to the party’s youth and women to play central roles in rebuilding the NPP.
He promised greater opportunities for young people in leadership and innovation while advocating increased participation of women in party decision-making.
He further assured Ghana’s business community that the NPP remained committed to enterprise, wealth creation and economic growth, acknowledging that the party must regain public trust following its defeat.
Afoko urged aggrieved members to return to the party, stressing that unity would be essential if the NPP hoped to regain power.
“I believe the NPP can rise again. I believe we can reunite, rebuild and recapture power,” he declared.