Former Headmaster Speaks: Afoko My Student Has Integrity – NPP Needs Him

A retired educationist who taught Paul Awentami Afoko more than five decades ago has publicly vouched for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart’s integrity and leadership credentials, as Mr Afoko formally notifies the Party of his intention to contest the National Chairman position.

Mr Robert Ajene, former headmaster of Bawku Secondary School, told this newspaper that he first admitted Mr Afoko into Form 1 in the 1960s and has since followed his character closely.

“I bear witness to his leadership qualities because I admitted him to Bawku Secondary School, and there were times he stayed with me,” Mr Ajene said. “I am bearing testimony to his distinguished integrity, an integrity that can be of great help to the NPP.”

Mr Afoko, a native of the Upper East Region, has officially informed the NPP Council of Elders, Regional Executives, and Patrons of his intention to run for the party’s top national position.

According to Mr Ajene, the aspiring chairman is also seeking the wise counsel of party elders and leadership as he prepares for the contest.

Beyond endorsing Mr Afoko, the former headmaster used the opportunity appeal for unity within the New Patriotic Party. He argued that the NPP possesses the political potential to return to power in the 2028 elections, but only if the party prioritises cohesion over division.

“NPP has the potential, and the only way to harness that potential is through unity,” Mr Ajene said. “Let’s get our acts together.”

He stressed that the Party’s biggest challenges have been self-inflicted, adding that they can be resolved through tolerance and a stronger democratic culture.

“The biggest problem is unity,” Mr Ajene said. “We need a large heart of tolerance in democracy. The challenges were self-inflicted, and we know them one by one.”

Mr Ajene’s endorsement adds to growing calls within the NPP for reconciliation and internal cohesion as the party prepares for its next electoral cycle.

In his view, Mr Afoko represents the kind of leadership grounded in integrity and service that can help rebuild trust and broaden the party’s base.

Mr. Afoko’s decision to contest for the Party’s National Chairmanship position when nominations are opened has sparked excitement across political circles immediately it went public.

The excitement could be because Paul Afoko, a dyed-in-the-wool NPP stalwart, rose through the ranks to be elected as the Party’s National Chairman in April 2014 but someway somehow was ousted out of office the following year, in October 2015 under circumstances