Accra:<Text>
Former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Afia Akoto, has been appointed Secretary to the Christian Category of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Religious and Chieftaincy Committee as part of the party's reorganization efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
According to Ghana Web, the appointment was announced following a meeting of the NPP's National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council on Thursday, May 7, 2026. During this meeting, several standing and sector committees were constituted to help reposition the party after the 2024 elections.
Party sources revealed that Afia Akoto's nomination was made by the NPP's 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and subsequently approved by the NEC. Her appointment is seen as a recognition of her long-standing involvement in the party and her active participation in Dr. Bawumia's campaign activities during previous electoral conte sts.
Afia Akoto was a prominent figure in Dr. Bawumia's campaign team during the 2024 election season and the NPP presidential primaries, where she played significant roles in grassroots mobilization, outreach, and campaign engagements. Under the newly constituted Religious and Chieftaincy Committee for the Christian Category, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour and Sampson Kwaku Boafo will serve as Co-Chairs, with Afia Akoto assuming the role of secretary.
Other members of the committee include former Information Minister Asamoah Boateng, former Volta Regional Minister Kofi Dzamesi, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, Dr. Isaac Owusu-Mensah, Dr. Susana Alo, Dr. Opoku Mensah, and Napaga Clara Tia Sulemana. This committee is expected to strengthen the NPP's engagement with religious bodies, traditional authorities, and faith-based organisations as the party seeks to rebuild its grassroots support base ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Afia Akoto's latest appointment further elevates her profile within the NPP following her participation in the Okaikwei North parliamentary primaries in December 2023. Although she lost the contest to former Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, she was one of the strongest contenders, securing 228 votes against her opponent's 341 votes.
During the campaign period, Afia Akoto gained significant attention within the constituency and on social media, where she was popularly referred to as 'The Landlady' - a nickname that became associated with her grassroots campaign strategy and strong visibility in the constituency. Despite her defeat in the parliamentary primaries, she has remained active within both the constituency and the party's structures, fueling speculation about a possible future political comeback.
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