Kumasi: Awentami Paul Afoko, a National Chairman hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has emphasized the importance of selecting the party's next national leaders based on competence rather than ethnic considerations. He made these remarks during consultative meetings with the Ashanti Regional Council of Elders and the Ashanti Regional Executives in Kumasi.
According to Ghana Web, these engagements are part of Afoko's broader nationwide outreach effort aimed at engaging party stakeholders and fostering unity ahead of the NPP's National Delegates Conference. During separate meetings with the two groups, Afoko expressed his concerns about the current state of the NPP but warned against focusing on the 2024 electoral defeat amidst ongoing blame discussions.
Afoko urged the party members to gather collective experiences, emphasizing his ambition to help rebuild the party. "I would want to be remembered for rebuilding the party. We must all put our hands on deck. We cannot sit and watch the party slide backwards," he stated.
He highlighted the critical role of the grassroots in the party's electoral success, noting that the Ashanti Region remains the "heartbeat of the NPP." Afoko expressed openness to advice from the Regional Council of Elders and Regional Executives, acknowledging their pivotal role in running the party.
Afoko called for unity within the party, stressing that the NPP cannot afford to leave power in the hands of the NDC and must leverage collective experiences to improve its prospects. Speakers at the meetings encouraged him to remain dedicated to his mission of rebuilding the party and making it a formidable force ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Afoko is promoting his 3R Agenda: Reunite, Rebuild, Recapture, which he believes is crucial for the NPP's return to power.