In a statement, the former Chairman said the NPP had spoken through a “vigorous, democratic and transparent process,” producing Dr. Bawumia as the candidate to lead the party into the next national elections.

He noted that the mandate comes with the responsibility to reorganise the party, reconnect with Ghanaians, and present a “credible pathway to national renewal.”

“The task before us is clear: to reorganize, reconnect with the Ghanaian people, and present a credible pathway to national renewal. The work toward Victory 2028 begins immediately,” Afoko stated.

Afoko also commended the other aspirants who contested the flagbearership race, including Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, saying their participation strengthened the credibility of the process and deepened internal debate within the party.

According to him, contesting leadership positions does not weaken the party but expands it by engaging members and enriching its democratic culture.

Turning to party faithful across the country, Afoko called for calm and discipline after the primaries, stressing that unity must override personal preferences and temporary disagreements.

“As in any family, contestation is part of growth. Differences are expressed, positions are defended, and choices are made. But once a collective decision has been reached, unity must prevail,” he said.

He urged members not to let campaign tensions linger, adding that the next phase of the party’s journey must be defined by maturity, cohesion, and collective effort.

Afoko said the NPP’s objective now is to build an institutionally strong and strategically prepared party that values every contributor and mobilises its grassroots ahead of the 2028 elections.

“We remain one party, one family, one vision for victory. The journey to 2028 begins today. Let us move forward together with focus, discipline and purpose,” he concluded.

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The party’s Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, told the Daily Graphic that Mr. Afoko remains a member of the NPP, as he has not joined or formed another party since his suspension in 2015. He noted that the party had granted amnesty to several suspended members and expressed confidence that the NEC would also review Mr. Afoko’s case.

“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 reviews it,” Mr. Mohammed said.

Regarding his decision to contest again, Mr. Mohammed explained that every election comes with guidelines set by the NEC. He added that the NEC has not yet established the guidelines for the contest for national executive positions nor opened nominations.

Mr. Afoko announced last Tuesday his intention to seek re-election as party chairman. In a statement issued in Accra, he said his decision followed “extensive reflection and encouragement from many well-meaning members, supporters and stakeholders of the New Patriotic Party.” He stressed the need for “renewed leadership rooted in the founding values and democratic ideals” of the party.

Acknowledging the personal challenges he has faced, Mr. Afoko emphasized that he has “always chosen to prioritise the unity and progress of the NPP.” His spokesperson, Nana Yaw Osei, added that Mr. Afoko aims to rebuild and strengthen the party by promoting inclusivity, accountability, integrity, transparency, and a clear sense of purpose.

Mr. Afoko first won the NPP Chairmanship on April 12, 2014, at a party congress in Tamale, becoming the first northern Ghanaian (a Builsa from the Upper East Region) to hold the position. His tenure was marked by severe factional conflicts and allegations of undermining then-flag bearer, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which led to his indefinite suspension in 2015, along with the suspension of General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong and Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe. The suspensions triggered a constitutional crisis that was later contested in court.

During his tenure, Mr. Afoko pursued a reformist agenda, including a financial initiative that allocated GH₵10,000 to every constituency to ensure bank accounts were opened and maintained, a move intended to modernize party operations and improve transparency despite strong internal opposition.

His second bid for the chairmanship reflects his belief that his suspension—which he has contested as legally and constitutionally flawed—was unjust. It also underscores his continued commitment to reforming the party’s institutional framework.

Aside from Mr. Afoko, other NPP stalwarts, including Boakye Ayarko, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, John Boadu, and Kankam Boadu, have declared their intention to contest for the party’s chairmanship.

In a statement released from his office in Dzorwulu, Accra, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Mr. Afoko said the decision followed “extensive reflection and encouragement from many well-meaning members, supporters, and stakeholders” within the NPP.

According to him, his decision was not made lightly but inspired by persistent calls for renewed leadership anchored in the founding principles and democratic ideals of the party.

“My commitment to the NPP has remained steadfast through the years, and I believe the time has come to contribute, once again, to the rebuilding and strengthening of our Party at this critical juncture,” Mr. Afoko stated.

He noted that his political journey has had its share of challenges, but maintained that his focus has always been on unity and progress rather than personal interest.

“While the journey has not been without its trials, I have always chosen to prioritise the unity and progress of the NPP above all else. My focus now, as it has always been, is on the future — one where our Party stands re-energised, inclusive, and better positioned to deliver on its promise to the Ghanaian people,” he added.

Mr. Afoko indicated that, in the coming weeks, he would engage party members and the media to outline his vision and plans to lead the NPP with “integrity, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose.”

The former chairman ended his statement with a rallying call for collective effort and faith in the party’s future.

“Let us look ahead together. God bless the NPP. God bless our dear country.” Paul Afoko, who previously served as NPP National Chairman before his suspension in 2015, is making a comeback to the party’s leadership race with a message centred on unity and strength.

Source: Adomonline

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Read the full statement below:

“The NPP as a party has not recognised its potential. It hasn’t achieved its potential. It’s still a party of working out and rebranding, rebuilding,” Afoko stated.

Speaking on Starr FM on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Afoko contrasted the NPP with its main rival, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which he described as highly organised and militant during his time in frontline politics.

“I saw the NDC to be a militant party at the time that I came. It seems the roles have reversed,” he said.

According to him, after his removal from office through a court process, the NPP began nurturing vigilante groups that later became notorious in Ghana’s political space.

“After I had been thrown out by the court, we started developing Invisible Forces, Delta Forces, Bolgatanga Bulldogs, and we rather became militants,” he revealed.

Afoko was elected NPP National Chairman in April 2014 but was suspended indefinitely by the party’s National Executive Committee in October 2015. He challenged the decision in court, but the High Court dismissed his case in 2016.

Since then, he has largely kept a low profile, until recently when he began commenting again on party affairs. In August 2025, he criticised the NPP’s decision to bar estranged members returning under its general amnesty from contesting internal elections for two years, calling the move unacceptable.

Afoko’s renewed interventions have reignited debate within the party about its tradition of renewal, internal democracy, and how it manages long-standing divisions.

Source: myjoyonline

In an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, Mr. Afoko described the episode as a turning point in his life, admitting it convinced him that politics in Ghana is “a thankless job.”

“After my suspension was confirmed and the court gave what I still consider a bizarre judgment, I told myself, ‘never again.’ I will not go looking for any active role in politics. You walk in with ideals, and this is the outcome—lies, betrayal, and in some cases, people willing to go to deadly lengths to get rid of you,” he remarked.

He cited the 2015 killing of Adams Mahama, then Upper East Regional Chairman of the party, as a tragic incident that was exploited to push for his removal.

According to him, the petitions that called for his suspension were coordinated and nearly identical.

“My brother Greg didn’t kill anyone. Yet when Adams was killed, some people turned it into an opportunity to remove me. The petitions that came in were word-for-word the same, except for the names and addresses. The claim was that if I stayed, I would make sure Akufo-Addo lost the election,” he recounted.

Mr. Afoko admitted the events left him angry and disillusioned but said he later found comfort in the counsel of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

“I was boiling with anger and went to see President Kufuor. He told me the anger would destroy me if I held onto it. That advice helped me let go. Today, I am no longer bitter,” he revealed.

Mr. Afoko’s reflections underscore how political rivalry and internal party struggles influenced his decision to step back from frontline politics and prioritize personal peace over power struggles.

Source: Adomonline

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“I knew Omane Boamah and considered him a friend. I knew Alhaji Murtala and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna. They were brothers to me because of the depth of our relationship. And the pilot who died, Peter Anala, was my nephew,” he recounted.

In a press release dated August 8, 2025, the former NPP Chairman extended his deepest condolences to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the families of the victims, and the entire nation.

Mr. Afoko also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Ghana Armed Forces for the loss of their gallant officers who served the nation well.

Full Statement by Awentami Paul Afoko

Awentami Paul Afoko mourns victims of tragic helicopter crash

I have learnt with profound sadness the helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region that claimed the lives of high ranking government officials including Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister for Defence and Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.

I knew Dr Omane Boamah and considered him a friend. I knew Alhaji Murtala and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna. They were brothers to me because of the depth of our relationship.

I convey my deepest condolences to H.E. President John Mahama, the government and the families of the eight Patriots who paid the Ultimate Price in the course of serving the Country.

I also express my heartfelt condolences to the Ghana Armed Forces for the loss of their gallant officers who “died in the saddle” obeying the call to Duty, which included my Nephew Squadron Leader Peter Anala.
We Mourn them and will Not Forget Their Sacrifice

Awentami Paul Afoko

Source: Adomonline

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Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, will have to write to the party to have his suspension lifted.

According to General Secretary John Boadu, the National Executive Council (NEC) will consider his petition if he writes to them.

The NPP chief scribe was reacting to concerns raised about the status of Paul Afoko after the party lifted the six-year suspension on former General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong.

Mr Agyapong, Mr Afoko and the former National Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe were suspended for misconduct in 2015.

They were found guilty of violating Article 3(d) of the party’s Constitution, which enjoins members to uphold the party’s decisions, publicly through various acts.

Though Mr Afoko challenged the decision in court, he lost. After six years, Mr Agyapong requested the suspension be lifted to enable him serve his party.

His request was granted by NEC on Tuesday May 11, 2021 after passionate appeals from President Nana Akufo-Addo and other party stakeholders who argued that he is an indispensable asset to the NPP.

But since former Chairman, Mr Afoko has not made any request in writing, Mr Boadu on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday said they are handicapped.

He stated that Mr Agyepong, despite his suspension, toured all 16 regions with President Akufo-Addo during the 2020 electioneering campaign.

His conduct, Mr Boadu said played a huge role in the decision to re-instate him. However, the situation is not so for the others.

“We cannot lift the suspension when he [Afoko] has not indicated to us. What if he rejects our decision to re-instate him?” he quizzed.

Play attached audio for more:

National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has revealed he has not spoken to his predecessor for the past three years.

Freddie Blay said following the bitter suspension of the former Chairman in 2015, he has cut all communications with him.

The NPP National Chairman revealed this on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday.

“Unfortunately we have not met after his suspension.The hostility is still on,” he bemoaned.

Paul Afoko was suspended by the NPP’s National Executive Council for allegedly working to undermine the party’s chances in the 2016 general election.

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Though he challenged the suspension at the Human Rights Court, it did not yield any positive result.

In his place, Mr Blay then First Vice Chairman was appointed to replace him [Afoko] as Acting Chairman.

He then went ahead to contest for the position and won the elections. This conduct by Mr Blay, some party members claimed, was seen as a betrayal of trust.

Expressing his sentiments, Mr Blay said the conduct of Mr Afoko is understandable.

Efforts made to bring his predecessor on board for a resounding victory, he stated, have yielded not results.

As someone who does not give up, Mr Blay said he is still working to visit Mr Afoko to resolve the situation.

“I will engage him [Afoko] if he picks my calls. Water has passed under the bridge so maybe tempers are cool,” he added.

John Ishmael Afoko, who was called to testify for Gregory Afoko, said he does not get along with his brother who always quarrels with him at home.

He told the court he should have been a happy man that his brother had been arrested by the police to give him some freedom and peace of mind.

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John Ishmael Afoko, therefore, told the court that he has no reason to lie to the court to save someone he does get along with.

His statement follows accusation by the prosecution, led by Mathew Amponsah, a chief state attorney that he was deceiving the court in order to save his younger brother.

“The accused person and I don’t get along. Because when he was around we were always picking one quarrel or the other. So I should be happy he has been taken away from the house and I have my freedom. Why should I lie to free him?” the witness quizzed.

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Gregory Afoko has been arraigned before an Accra High Court for allegedly murdering the Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP in 2015.

The state has so far called 14 prosecution witnesses who have all testified in the matter that has been in court for the past three years.

Afoko opened his defence in December last year and vehemently denied killing Adams who suffered severe burns after acid was poured on him in his car.

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Isaac Afoko is his first defence witness for the accused.

He corroborated the accused person’s testimony that he was home on the night of the incident and therefore has nothing to do with the murder.

He told the court that Gregory Afoko was responsible for taking care of their father who was sick and bedridden although he takes care of him in his absence.

The witness and prosecution disagreed on the time the witness went to bed on the fateful night.

He, however, told the court that he went to bed about three minutes after 8pm that night but the prosecutor put to him that he was not being truthful to the court.

Mr. Amponsah put it to the witness that Gregory Afoko returned after 11pm.

The witness, however, denied the assertion, insisting that his brother got home few minutes after 8pm.

The court, presided over by Justice Lawrence L. Mensah, adjourned the matter for Afoko to call his next witness.