Afoko: Emotions Won’t Give Us Power, Unite for Bawumia

Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Awentami Paul Afoko, has pleaded with the rank and file of the party that emotions and internal bickering will not deliver power in 2028, even as the Party prepares to present a flag-bearer he describes as the most well-marketed presidential candidate in Ghana’s electoral history.

A Call for All Hands on Deck

The former National Chairman’s message was unequivocal. He insists the NPP has the candidate, the opportunity, and the roadmap, but without a concerted effort from every rank and file member, victory could remain a mirage. “All hands must be on deck,” Afoko concluded, urging the Party to approach the 2028 elections with the seriousness it deserves.

Addressing Regional Executives, Patrons, and Elders of the Party in the Volta, Oti, and Eastern Regions over the weekend, Afoko stressed that while the NPP possesses a “unique opportunity” to return to the Jubilee House, that opportunity would amount to nothing without a united front and a disciplined approach to the electioneering campaign.

The Bawumia Factor: A Battle-Tested Candidate

Afoko, who is making a comeback bid for the National Chairman position, was emphatic about the strength of the Party’s flag-bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He argued that the former Vice President is already a formidable force, known to the electorate and battle-tested, making him the NPP’s greatest asset going into the 2028 presidential polls.

“For the first time, we have a candidate who is already well-known, well-marketed, and ready to win,” Afoko stated. He drew a comparison to the 2016 election, where the Party successfully unseated a sitting government, and expressed confidence that with the right strategy, history could repeat itself.

Awentami Paul Afoko noted that the absence of the current sitting President who has been a constant feature on the ballot for several elections from the 2028 ticket removes a significant hurdle, allowing the NPP to focus its campaign machinery squarely on selling Dr. Bawumia’s vision to the Ghanaian people.

‘Unity Is Not Negotiable’

However, Afoko was quick to caution that the Party’s optimism should not be mistaken for complacency. In a direct appeal to Party faithful, he declared that “unity is not negotiable,” warning that personal grievances and emotional outbursts could derail the Party’s quest for power.

“You can’t sit here and look at the lady sitting next to you and say I don’t like her so we can’t work together,” Afoko said. “We are working together for power, and if we let emotions get in the way, we lose.”

He employed the analogy of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali to drive home his point, noting that opponents often exploit emotional reactions to gain an advantage. “Emotions won’t give us power,” Afoko reiterated.

Awentami Paul Afoko also addressed lingering internal resentments, urging members to let go of past disappointments. “I didn’t get anything, so I won’t support, no, let that go because it is in the past,” he declared, emphasizing that the goal of recapturing power is bigger than any individual grievance.

The 3R Agenda: A Call for Collective Effort

To galvanize the Party towards victory, Afoko is championing his “3R Agenda”: Reunite, Rebuild, and Recapture. He argued that the Party must adopt a clear, unified message to win back the confidence of Ghanaians, and that Dr. Bawumia is the right candidate to lead that charge.

“For years I chose to work quietly behind the scenes, supporting the NPP in private,” Afoko revealed. “But recent developments have compelled me to step forward. We need to get our party back into winning ways, and that starts with unity of purpose.”

He framed the upcoming period as a litmus test for the maturity of NPP politics, asking whether the party would evolve beyond cycles of blame and internal strife. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that all well-meaning members who love the party would come on board to realize the collective goal of making Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the next President of Ghana.