Judge NPP chairmanship candidates on merit, not geographical grounds – Paul Afoko

New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Paul Afoko has called for the party's next chairman to be chosen based on merit, not geography. The NPP National Chairman aspirant made the statement Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the NPP headquarters in Accra, following arguments that the next National Chairman should not come from the north due to the party's presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, also hailing from the region.

Afoko disagreed with the suggestion, stating that the NPP's constitution does not impose geographical restrictions on its leadership. He emphasized that the party is a national organization structured and operated on a national basis. Afoko urged delegates to evaluate candidates based on their leadership qualities, experience, and ability to unite and reorganize the party ahead of the 2028 general election.

The former NPP National Chairman rejected the notion that Dr Bawumia's election as the presidential candidate represents only northern Ghana, clarifying that Bawumia was elected to lead the entire NPP. Afoko used the party's elephant symbol to illustrate his point, emphasizing that every leg of the elephant belongs to the same animal and must be strong for it to move forward.

He urged party members to avoid geographical divisions and focus on building a united national organization capable of regaining the trust of Ghanaians.