Paul Afoko Declares Bid for NPP Chairmanship as Major Parties Shake Up Leadership Structures Ahead of 2028

15th July•3 min read•52 sources

The Ghanaian political landscape has entered a period of intensive reorganization as both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prepare for the 2028 general elections. Highlighting this shift, former NPP National Chairman Paul Awentami Afoko has formally announced his bid to return to the party's helm. Speaking at a press conference on July 14, 2026, Afoko introduced a vision centered on the ‘Three Rs’—reunite, rebuild, and recapture power. Despite his indefinite suspension in 2015, Afoko reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the party, urging members to support presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia rather than assigning blame for previous setbacks. His campaign focuses on healing internal divisions and revitalizing grassroots structures to regain public confidence.

While the NPP reported an 88.7% success rate in its nationwide constituency executive elections, completing polls in 245 of 276 constituencies, the process has faced significant legal and administrative hurdles. The party's National Steering Committee recently annulled elections in Bantama, Afigya Sekyere East, and Adansi Asokwa due to breaches of regulations and disregard for court orders. Tensions were particularly high in Afigya Sekyere East, where media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah was arrested during a confrontation over alleged unauthorized ballot papers. Meanwhile, the party has issued a July 19, 2026, deadline for overseas chapters to hold elections, warning that non-compliance will result in exclusion from the broader branch elections scheduled for August.

In the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), leadership dynamics are similarly fluid according to recent Global InfoAnalytics polls. Johnson Asiedu Nketia currently leads the 2028 presidential preference among delegates with 27% support, though Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is gaining ground, rising from 19% to 22%. In the race for the NDC national chairmanship, former MP Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has emerged as the frontrunner with 26.8% support. The NDC has also had to manage internal friction; the party's Central Regional Chairman, Dr. Richard Kofi Asiedu, recently issued a public apology to Obaatanpa Radio following a disruptive incident at the station, emphasizing the party's commitment to media freedom after pressure from the Ghana Journalists Association.

A significant trend in this election cycle is the surge of youth participation and regional leadership contests. In the Ashanti Region, a coalition of youth and student leaders has nominated former NUGS President Yiadom Boakye Emmanuel (YB) for the NPP Regional Youth Organizer position. Simultaneously, 22-year-old law student Nana Agyeiwaa Baffoe-Bonnie Michaels has announced her candidacy for the Manhyia South parliamentary seat under the Base Movement Ghana, challenging the traditional NPP-NDC duopoly. These internal contests are unfolding against a backdrop of legislative tension, as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for a parliamentary briefing from the Attorney-General regarding recent ‘Rambo-style’ arrests conducted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), highlighting ongoing concerns regarding democratic accountability.

As both parties move toward their respective national congresses, the focus remains on balancing organizational discipline with internal democracy. The resolution of disputed elections in constituencies like Weija-Gbawe and Asante Akyem Central will be critical for the NPP’s unity, while the NDC must navigate the competitive rivalry between its top tier of leadership. These developments signal a highly active political season as the major parties attempt to consolidate their bases and present a unified front to the Ghanaian electorate ahead of the 2028 polls.

This story touches markets covered on Anansi Intelligence ↗.

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Paul Afoko Declares Bid for NPP Chairmanship as Major Parties Shake Up Leadership Structures Ahead of 2028

More from politics

President Mahama and Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Drive Governance Agenda as Ghana Reports Significant Drop in Debt Servicing Costs

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President Mahama Champions 'Accra Reset' as Ghana Prepares for 2027 AU Chairmanship and Celebrates US Visa Ruling

National Lottery Authority Urges Staff to End Strike Over 17% Salary Increase Demand