Paul Afoko Breaks Silence, Says NPP Has “Lost a Lot of Ground” Amid Party Comeback Tour
Paul Afoko begins nationwide consultations as he critiques NPP’s declining electoral strength and signals a possible political comeback.
- Afoko says the NPP has “lost a lot of ground” due to internal complacency.
- He is undertaking a nationwide consultative tour with party executives and grassroots leaders.
- Former chairman hints at renewed involvement in frontline party politics amid comeback speculation.
Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has broken years of public silence with a sharp critique of the party’s current condition, saying it has significantly weakened its electoral base.
Speaking at a closed-door consultative meeting with the NPP Greater Accra Regional Executive Committee, Mr Afoko said complacency within the party had contributed to its declining strength.
“You cannot sit back and say, oh, we are OK. We have lost a lot of ground, a lot of ground,” he stated.
His remarks form part of a nationwide engagement tour he says is aimed at consulting grassroots members and regional leaders ahead of a possible return to active frontline politics.
Mr Afoko reflected on his tenure as NPP chairman, recalling efforts by his team to build a strong organisational structure ahead of elections, which he said laid the foundation for the party’s later success.
“From the time when I was chairman… we were able to put everything in place ready for the general elections,” he said.
He also revisited his controversial removal from office, describing it as a painful moment when he felt he had come close to witnessing the party’s success but was unable to see it through.
“As I said yesterday somewhere, I saw the promised land, but I didn’t get there,” he noted.
Mr Afoko explained that his long silence in public life was a deliberate decision intended to preserve unity within the party during its time in government, despite personal difficulties.
He said his initial attempt to comment publicly on the government’s early performance was met with strong criticism from within the party, prompting him to withdraw from media engagements.
“The first time I spoke to the media, I just got clapped back… so I said let us stay away and keep quiet,” he recalled.
Defending his earlier call for patience with the government, he likened state governance to a large vessel that cannot be quickly turned around.
“The ship of state is like a super tanker… it takes time to turn around,” he explained.
Despite stepping back from public commentary, Mr Afoko said he remained active behind the scenes, including supporting parliamentary candidates financially and politically.
“There are people who I supported to get into parliament,” he disclosed.
His renewed public engagement is being closely watched within political circles, with analysts suggesting his return could signal an attempt to reposition himself as a unifying figure within the party as it reflects on recent electoral challenges.
