Senior Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng, has expressed support for former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman Awentami Paul Afoko in the party’s upcoming chairmanship election. Speaking on Kumasi-based Akoma FM, Dr. Amakye-Boateng assessed the four contenders for the National Chairmanship position and said he believes Afoko has the experience and capacity to help rebuild the party and reconnect with disgruntled and former members.
According to the political scientist, the candidates do not have the same ability to engage aggrieved and breakaway members and encourage them to return to the party. He argued that rebuilding the NPP should extend beyond replacing individuals and instead focus on reconciliation, organisational restructuring and institutional renewal.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng cited Afoko’s experience and political background as key factors behind his position, saying these qualities could enable the former chairman to contribute to shaping what he described as a new identity for the party. “If the NPP can be formidable, recontouring, and institutional renewal, then the best person to lead the party is Paul Afoko,” he said.
He further noted that the National Chairman’s role goes beyond the conventional administrative responsibilities associated with the position. In his view, the office requires a person with credibility, reliability and sufficient experience to strengthen public confidence in the party. “The character of that person should be credible, reliable, and someone whose experience can give credibility to the party,” he stated.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng also maintained that Afoko’s previous experience within the NPP, combined with his political background, makes him suitable to spearhead what he described as a renewed identity for the party. The four candidates are stepping up their campaigns ahead of the NPP’s national executive elections scheduled for October 3.
The candidates have been assigned ballot positions, with John Boadu occupying the first position, followed by Sammy Crabbe in second, Awentami Paul Afoko in third and Boakye Agyarko in fourth. Dr. Amakye-Boateng has previously spoken about the potential for Afoko’s return to active politics to contribute to reconciliation within the NPP. In July, he said Afoko’s decision to move beyond past disagreements and return to serve the party could create an opportunity to reconnect with members who had become disaffected or withdrawn from the NPP.
