BY Issah Olegor
Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Awentami Afoko, has expressed confidence that the party can return to power in the 2028 general election, arguing that changing political dynamics and a renewed focus on unity present the NPP with a unique opportunity to recapture government.
Speaking during a series of engagements with regional executives, patrons and party elders in the Volta, Oti and Eastern Regions, Afoko said the NPP’s prospects for the next election remain strong, provided the party overcomes internal divisions and rallies behind a common objective.
The former party chairman, who is seeking to return as NPP National Chairman, used the meetings to outline his vision for rebuilding the party and preparing it for what he believes could be a highly competitive but winnable election in 2028.
Central to his argument is the belief that the political landscape will look significantly different in the next electoral cycle, creating fresh opportunities for the opposition party.
According to Afoko, one of the major factors that could reshape the contest is the absence of President John Dramani Mahama from the presidential ballot in 2028.
He noted that President John Mahama has been a dominant figure on Ghana’s presidential ballots for several election cycles and argued that his absence would fundamentally alter voter calculations and campaign strategies.
Paul Afoko believes this development creates an opening for the NPP to effectively market its 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, whom he described as a tested political figure with extensive national visibility.
According to him, Dr. Bawumia’s previous experiences on the campaign trail and his role in national politics have already made him a familiar figure to voters across the country.
“The one person who has been on the ballot paper for several elections will not be on the ballot paper in 2028, and that gives us a unique opportunity,” he stated.
He argued that Dr. Bawumia has already established himself as a formidable political force and would be well-positioned to lead the NPP back to power if the party remains focused and united.
Drawing comparisons with the NPP’s victory in the 2016 elections, Afoko recalled the strategic planning that preceded the party’s return to government under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He explained that party leaders at the time recognized the need for long-term preparation and organizational discipline if the NPP was to successfully challenge an incumbent government.
According to him, similar strategic thinking will be required if the party hopes to repeat that success in 2028.
“At the time I put the New Plan for Power in place, we knew that if the sitting president won another term, we would sit in opposition for 12 years. We had to put a plan in place to make sure we came to power, and we came to power,” he said.
While expressing optimism about the party’s chances, Afoko cautioned that victory would remain elusive unless members prioritize unity over personal grievances and factional interests.
He stressed that internal cohesion must become the party’s most important priority in the years ahead.
“As for unity, it is not negotiable,” he declared.
“You can’t sit here and look at the person next to you and say you don’t like them so you can’t work together. We are working together for power.”
The former chairman warned against allowing emotions, disappointment and unresolved disputes to undermine the party’s broader electoral ambitions.
Using an analogy from boxing, he compared political distractions and internal conflicts to tactics used by legendary heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali to unsettle opponents and gain an advantage.
According to Afoko, party members must resist emotional reactions and instead focus on the collective objective of returning the NPP to government.
Afoko’s campaign for the national chairmanship is built around what he calls the “3R Agenda” — Reunite, Rebuild and Recapture.
The framework seeks to heal divisions within the party, strengthen its structures and position it for electoral victory.
He believes that rebuilding trust among party members and reconnecting with the Ghanaian electorate will be essential if the NPP hopes to regain public confidence.
According to him, the party must develop a clear and compelling message capable of addressing the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians while presenting a credible alternative vision for national development.
Afoko also revealed that although he has remained active within the NPP, he deliberately chose for many years to work quietly behind the scenes.
However, he said recent developments within the party convinced him that a more direct role was necessary.
“For years I chose to work quietly behind the scenes supporting the NPP in private, but recent developments have compelled me to step forward,” he stated.
“We need to get our party back into winning ways, and that starts with unity of purpose.
The former chairman described the years leading to the 2028 election as a defining period for the NPP, arguing that the party must decide whether to mature politically and move beyond internal disputes or remain trapped in cycles of blame and division.
