Aspiring National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Awentame Afoko has urged party members to put aside internal differences and unite behind a common purpose, insisting that reconciliation is the party’s only realistic path back to power in the 2028 general elections.
Addressing constituency executives and aspiring parliamentary candidates from across the Savannah Region at the Yamoransa Model I.C.T Laboratory in the Damongo Constituency, Mr. Afoko said the NPP’s declining electoral fortunes reflect the consequences of persistent internal divisions.”Our strength lies in our togetherness. If we are united, we will surely return to power,” he told delegates.
According to him, the party’s parliamentary representation has steadily fallen from 169 seats in 2016 to 137 and then to 87 in the 2024 elections, a trend he believes should serve as a wake-up call for members to embrace unity and discipline.Mr. Afoko appealed to party faithful to end the blame game, gossip, and factional politics that have weakened the NPP in recent years.”Let us stop the blame game. Let us stop the gossiping and the stories we tell about each other. The future of this party is more important than our individual differences,” he said.
Reflecting on his previous tenure as National Chairman, Mr. Afoko said he has forgiven past grievances following his suspension in 2015 and is prepared to work with every faction to rebuild the party.”I have put everything behind me. I carry no pain anymore. What matters now is how we come together to rebuild our party,” he stated.
He revealed that before announcing his chairmanship bid, he consulted widely with senior party leaders, including former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Bryan Acheampong, and other leading figures, describing the consultations as a sign of respect for the party’s leadership.Outlining his vision, Mr. Afoko unveiled what he called the “Three Rs”—Reunite, Restructure, and Restrengthen as the roadmap for restoring the NPP’s electoral fortunes.
He stressed that rebuilding the party must begin at the polling station level, describing grassroots structures as the foundation of every electoral victory.”The power of this party is at the polling station. If we fail to strengthen the base, we cannot win elections,” he said.
Mr. Afoko also highlighted the need to strengthen constituency structures through improved financial management and grassroots support. He recalled introducing constituency bank accounts during his previous administration to improve accountability and pledged to prioritise resource mobilisation, grassroots empowerment, and increased participation of women in party activities.
He concluded by appealing to delegates to support his bid for the National Chairmanship, expressing confidence that his experience and leadership can reunite the party ahead of the next general election.”We must rebuild this party as one family with one purpose. Unity remains our only path to victory,” he said.
Source: nkilgifm.com
