National Chairmanship aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Paul Afoko, has called for unity within the party ahead of its National Executive Elections scheduled to take place in Kumasi.
Mr Afoko said his nationwide campaign had been anchored on the need for unity, cohesion and a renewed sense of purpose among members of the party.
According to him, the strength of the NPP had always been rooted in its ability to bring its members together around a common vision, stressing that the forthcoming elections should provide an opportunity for the party to rediscover that spirit.
Mr Afoko made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on the Otumfuo Manwerehene, Baffour Osei Hyiaman Brantuo VI, at his palace in Kumasi ahead of the party’s National Executive Elections.
He said the decision by the NPP to hold the elections in Kumasi, the traditional and political heartland of the party, was significant and should not be treated as merely a change of venue.
Mr Afoko described Kumasi as a place with deep historical significance to the NPP tradition and said the city provided an appropriate setting for members to reflect on the values that had shaped the party.
He said the occasion should therefore go beyond competition among individual aspirants and focus on rebuilding the unity required to strengthen the party.
He urged delegates to approach the elections with the broader interest of the NPP at heart, saying the party’s collective future was more important than individual ambitions.
Mr Afoko said his campaign engagements across the country had enabled him to interact with party members and listen to their concerns, adding that the experience had reinforced his conviction that unity remained critical to the party’s future.
The NPP chairmanship aspirant also referred to what he described as the spiritual significance associated with the number three in this year’s contest.
Although he did not elaborate extensively on the interpretation, Mr Afoko expressed hope that the circumstances surrounding the contest would inspire delegates to make decisions that would ultimately contribute to the progress of the party.
He said the immediate objective should be to ensure that the NPP emerged from the national elections more united and focused on its broader political objectives.
Mr Afoko further appealed to delegates to put the interest of the party ahead of personal considerations as they prepared to elect the next national executives.
He said the responsibility before the delegates was significant because the national executives would be expected to provide leadership and direction for the party.
He stressed the need for party members to work together irrespective of their preferred candidates, saying the election of national executives should not become a source of permanent division.
Mr Afoko expressed the hope that the elections would strengthen the NPP and help create the conditions necessary for the party to pursue victory in the next general elections.
He said the party needed a leadership structure capable of bringing its various constituencies together and mobilising members towards a common objective.
The courtesy call on the Otumfuo Manwerehene formed part of Mr Afoko’s engagements ahead of the national executive elections.
The NPP’s national executive elections are expected to bring together delegates from across the country in Kumasi to elect officers who will steer the affairs of the party.
Mr Afoko’s call for unity comes at a time when various aspirants are intensifying their campaigns and engaging delegates ahead of the polls.
