Former National Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has declared his intention to contest the party's National Chairman position, urging members to unite behind the party's flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to reposition the party for victory in the next general election.

He said rebuilding the NPP was a collective responsibility and should not be left to the party's flag bearer alone.

"The task ahead is not his alone. It is the task of the entire party. No presidential candidate can win without a united party, a strong organisation, disciplined structures, motivated grassroots and a parliamentary strategy that works constituency by constituency," Mr Afoko said at a press conference in Accra yesterday.

He added that Dr Bawumia represented "an important opportunity for the NPP and for Ghana" and must be supported by "a party machinery that is united, properly resourced, nationally energised and strategically disciplined".

Rejects blame

Mr Afoko said it was unfair to attribute the party's defeat in the 2024 general election solely to Dr Bawumia.

"I do not believe that the setbacks of 2024 should be simplistically placed at the feet of one person," he said, explaining that election outcomes were influenced by factors such as organisation, communication, economic conditions, grassroots morale, candidate selection and public trust.

"The duty before us now is not to blame. The duty before us is to rebuild," he added.

Mr Afoko said his decision to seek re-election as National Chairman followed months of consultations with national and regional executives, party elders, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Dr Bawumia, Members of Parliament and grassroots supporters across the country.

He explained that the engagements were consultations and not part of an official campaign, stressing that he would abide by the party's rules governing the contest.

Three Rs

Mr Afoko said his vision for the party was centred on what he described as the "Three Rs" — reunite, rebuild and recapture power.

He said the NPP needed reconciliation, stronger party structures and renewed grassroots mobilisation to regain the confidence of Ghanaians.

"If I am given the honour to serve again as National Chairman, I will work to support our presidential candidate, support our parliamentary candidates, support our constituencies and restore confidence in the party from the polling station to the national level," he said.

He also appealed to party members who felt sidelined to return and help rebuild the party.

"To those who feel hurt, disgruntled, rejected or forgotten, I say: come home. The NPP needs you," he said.

Mr Afoko expressed confidence that a united and well-organised NPP would be able to regain power at the next general election.