NPP’s future depends on experience, unity and moving beyond past grievances — Paul Afoko

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Paul Awentami Afoko, has called for a change in approach to resolving the party’s internal challenges, arguing that reconciliation must be built on experience, reason and a willingness by members to put past grievances aside. Speaking in an interview with JoyNews’ Kojo Brace, Mr Afoko said he did not have an immediate solution that could force unity within the party but believed members could draw lessons from his own political journey. “I don’t have a magic wand, or I am not a magician who will come in and wave a magic wand and say unite, and everybody will unite,” Mr Afoko said.

He explained that divisions within political organisations cannot be resolved simply through calls for togetherness but require individuals to consciously choose to move beyond personal disappointments and focus on the wider interests of the party. Mr Afoko urged NPP members to view his own experience as an example of how personal grievances can be set aside in pursuit of a common goal. “But I will say to people to see me as an example, put your hurt aside,” he said.

According to the former chairman, emotional reactions to political disagreements can affect sound judgement and make it difficult for parties to address challenges effectively. If you put your head and mind to it, you will realise that the minute you bring the heart into it, you are distorting it, and power doesn’t like that,” he stated. Mr Afoko said he was putting forward his experience as a resource for the NPP because of his long involvement in the party’s affairs, arguing that his connection with the organisation predates his time as National Chairman.

“For me, I will put myself forward as someone who has experience. I have experienced this party across hand,” he said. He explained that before becoming chairman, he served the party at senior levels, including as a member of the NPP’s National Finance Committee, where he gained experience in the administration and management of party affairs.

Mr Afoko also traced his political background to his family’s involvement in Ghana’s political history. He said his father was an elected member of the Council of State, while his uncle, his father’s direct brother, served as a member of the Legislative Assembly representing the Northern People’s Party (NPP) before the various political traditi… He explained that rebuilding unity would require a conscious decision by party members to move beyond past hurts and emotional reactions, which he believes can affect objective decision-making.

“But I will say to people to see me as an example: put your hurt aside, because emotions create this. Mr Afoko said he was offering himself as an example because of his long association with the NPP and his understanding of the party’s structures, history and political traditions. The former chairman noted that his involvement in the NPP began long before he became the party’s national leader.