Aspiring National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, says he holds no personal grudge against former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, describing their relationship as cordial despite political differences in the past.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda on Channel One TV, Mr Afoko said he does not harbour bitterness and has instead chosen forgiveness over resentment.
“My relationship with Akufo-Addo is cordial,” he said. “It’s my nature. I don’t harbour things.”
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The NPP National Chairman hopeful explained that his approach to forgiveness has been shaped by his past experiences and interactions with political figures, including former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr Afoko recalled his relationship with the late former President, under whose military administration he was imprisoned.
According to him, years after those events, Mr Rawlings invited him to his residence at Vume in the Volta Region, where the two had a lengthy and candid conversation.
Mr Afoko said he reminded the former President of a meeting they had during his detention, when he was brought from prison to the Castle.
He said Mr Rawlings eventually recognised him after he recalled the incident and remembered describing him as a courageous young man.
Mr Afoko further recalled that the late former President had offered him an opportunity to join a group travelling to Cuba for training, an offer he said he declined.
‘I’ve never blamed you’ – Afoko tells Rawlings
Mr Afoko said he later told Mr Rawlings that although he disagreed with some of the actions carried out during his administration, he had never personally blamed him.
“I’ve never blamed you. I have blamed the things that you did, but not you as a person. Some of the things were done in your name, even without your knowledge,” Mr Afoko recalled telling the late former President.
He said the same principle guides his relationship with former President Akufo-Addo.
Drawing a comparison between his relationship with Akufo-Addo and his past interactions with Rawlings, Mr Afoko said he believes in letting go of bitterness and refusing to dwell on negative experiences.
“It’s my nature. I don’t harbour things. Long gone,” he said.
The NPP National Chairman hopeful added that he deliberately avoids allowing negative experiences to occupy his thoughts because he prefers to focus on positive things in life.
“The space in my head is not for rent to negativity. There’s not enough space. I don’t rent it out to negative things. I want it to be kept for positive things,” he stated.
His comments come as the NPP continues to prepare for its internal leadership processes, with the contest for the party’s National Chairman position expected to attract significant attention among party members and supporters.