NPP Needs Experienced, Grassroots-Connected Leaders — Ayew Afriye
Former Effiduase-Asokore MP calls for disciplined leaders with strong grassroots experience
- Calls for experienced party leaders
- Emphasises grassroots connections
- Urges discipline and unity
Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to prioritise party experience, discipline and strong grassroots connections as it selects its new national executives.
Speaking to Asaasepa 107.3 FM on the sidelines of the NPP’s national conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Ayew Afriye said the party needs leaders who understand its structures and are committed to working with its leadership and grassroots members.
He said the selection process should focus on individuals who have experience in party organisation, maintain close relationships with grassroots members and demonstrate discipline and commitment.
“The principle is that we need someone who will be submissive to the leader. We need someone who is close to the grassroots and has experience in the party job,” he said.
He added that the party was looking for leaders who are “disciplined, discerning and can work hard” as it reorganises its structures.
The comments come as the NPP elects new national executives following its defeat in the 2024 general election. The party has been undertaking internal elections as part of efforts to reorganise its structures.
Ayew Afriye has previously stressed the importance of experienced grassroots leadership within the party. In June, he called for significant continuity among constituency executives in the Ashanti Region, arguing that experienced local leaders were important to maintaining party organisation.
He also suggested that the completion of the internal elections would enable the party to focus more fully on its preparations for the next general election.
On the current political environment, Ayew Afriye said what he described as the use of state security agencies to intimidate NPP members was contributing to greater unity within the opposition party.
“The more they use state security to intimidate us, the more we stay united for the task ahead,” he said.
He added that while members were disappointed by the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat, developments since then had, in his view, contributed to renewed unity within the party.
Ayew Afriye has also recently called on NPP youth organisers in the Ashanti Region to strengthen grassroots structures and remain united.
His latest comments place party experience, grassroots engagement and internal cohesion among the issues being discussed as the NPP completes its national executive elections and reorganises ahead of the 2028 general election.
