Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman Paul Afoko has asserted that the groundwork and strategic planning that paved the way for the party’s victory in the 2016 general election were completed during his tenure before his suspension.
Mr. Afoko said his administration established the structures and electoral strategy that enabled the NPP to win power in 2016, insisting that later party officials should not claim exclusive credit for the achievement.
In an interview with Kwesi Parker Wilson on Oyerepa TV, the former chairman said his leadership focused on strengthening internal democracy, fairness and discipline as part of efforts to position the party for electoral success.
“I stood up as chairman because you need strategy to win power. There should not be emotion and discrimination,” he said.
He explained that prior to the 2016 elections, his team had already completed the necessary preparations for both the presidential and parliamentary contests.
According to him, the smooth conduct of the party’s internal elections was achieved because his leadership allowed democratic principles to guide the process.
“Our internal elections from parliamentary and presidential did not have any problem because I used one strict line that we must let democracy work and there should not be emotion and discrimination,” he stated.
Mr. Afoko maintained that his firm approach helped create the conditions that eventually led to the NPP’s electoral victory, arguing that without those measures, the party could have remained in opposition for a longer period.
“I knew I would win because the strategy that delivered the NPP’s 2016 election victory was put in place under my leadership before I was suspended. Freddie Blay and others cannot take credit for that victory,” he added.
Background: Paul Afoko’s Suspension from the NPP
Paul Afoko was elected National Chairman of the NPP in 2014 but was suspended by the party’s National Executive Committee in October 2015, ahead of the 2016 general election.
The decision followed allegations by some party members that he had acted in a manner considered harmful to the party’s interests. A disciplinary process was subsequently initiated after a petition was filed against him.
Mr. Afoko denied the allegations and described his suspension as politically motivated, linking it to internal disagreements among party leaders.
After his suspension, Freddie Blay served as acting National Chairman until the party conducted fresh internal elections. The NPP later won the 2016 presidential election, ending the NDC’s eight-year rule, with Nana Akufo-Addo elected as President.
