The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will meet to decide on the intent of suspended former Chairman of the party, Awentami Paul Afoko, to contest the party’s chairmanship.
The Deputy General Secretary of the party, Haruna Mohammed, told the Daily Graphic that Mr Afoko remains a member of the party, as he has not joined another or formed a new one, since his suspension as Chairman in 2015.
He explained that the party had granted amnesty to several suspended members and was confident that NEC would also review Mr Afoko’s case.
Moreover, he said that since his suspension as party chairman, Mr Afoko has conducted himself well and has done nothing to bring the party’s name into disrepute.
“The party has no problem with him and will decide on his case when NEC looks into his case,” he stated.
Contest
On his decision to contest for the chairmanship position again, Mr Mohammed explained that every election came with its guidelines to be set by NEC.
He said NEC has yet to establish the guidelines for the contest for national executive positions, nor has it opened the nominations for them.
Afoko’s return
Mr Afoko last Tuesday announced his intention to seek re-election for the party’s top executive position for a second time.
In a statement issued in Accra last Tuesday, Mr Afoko said his decision to contest for the chairmanship followed “extensive reflection and encouragement from many well-meaning members, supporters and stakeholders of the New Patriotic Party.”
It stressed the need for “renewed leadership rooted in the founding values and democratic ideals” of the NPP.
It acknowledged the personal difficulties he (Afoko) endured, noting that the journey “has not been without its trials,” but stressed that he has “always chosen to prioritise the unity and progress of the NPP”.
Agenda
Mr Afoko’s spokesperson, Nana Yaw Osei, told the Daily Graphic that Mr Afoko would be seeking to rebuild and strengthen the party with a commitment to re-energise the party structure; promote inclusivity by ensuring the party was broad-based and representative of all stakeholders.
He said Mr Afoko would lead the party with accountability, a clear sense of purpose, integrity and transparency.
Political career
Mr Afoko first won the NPP Chairmanship position on April 12, 2014, at a party congress in Tamale, becoming the first person of northern Ghanaian extraction (a Builsa from the Upper East Region) to occupy the national chairmanship post.
His chairmanship was marred by severe factional conflicts and allegations of undermining the then-flag bearer, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
This resulted in his indefinite suspension in 2015 by the party’s disciplinary committee.
This action, alongside the suspension of General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong and Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe at the time, plunged the party into a deep constitutional crisis that was ultimately contested in court.
Mr Afoko pursued a reformist agenda to strengthen grassroots structures during his tenure.
He famously implemented a financial initiative where he ‘pushed GH₵10,000’ into every constituency to ensure they opened and maintained bank accounts, a measure he insisted was to modernise party operations and ensure transparency, despite facing strong internal opposition.
Return
Mr Afoko’s second bid for the chairmanship signifies a persistent belief that his suspension—which he disputed as both legally and constitutionally flawed—was unjust.
His declaration signals a change of heart, driven by a desire to fulfil his mandate to reform the party’s institutional framework.
Chairmanship aspirants
Aside from Mr Afoko’s declaration of intent to contest for the chairmanship position, other party stalwarts such as Boakye Ayarko, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, John Boadu and Kankam Boadu have all declared their intention to seek election as chairman of the party.
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