Paul Afoko Reacts to NPP’s Amnesty to Suspended Party Members: “You Can’t Attatch Conditions”

• Former NPP chairman Paul Afoko has responded to the party’s amnesty for suspended members across Ghana
• The party’s National Council made the decision to foster unity ahead of the 2028 elections
• Afoko welcomed the move but questioned the condition barring returnees from contesting internal elections

Former chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has reacted to the decision of the party to grant amnesty to its suspended members across the country.

The opposition NPP, in a letter dated Saturday, August 16, 2025, granted amnesty to its suspended members who were suspended as well as those whose disciplinary cases were pending.

Acting chairman of the NPP, Danquah Smith Buttey, said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting convened by the National Council on July 25, 2025.

According to the letter, the decision was aimed at promoting unity and reconciliation in the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Mr Buttey, however, stated in the letter that members who forfeited their membership will be required to submit a fresh application for reinstatement at the party’s national secretariat.

He added that upon reinstatement, they will be barred from contesting any internal party elections for a period of two years.

The party further cautioned regional and constituency executives to strictly adhere to due process in all disciplinary matters and refrain from issuing arbitrary suspensions.

Reacting to this in an interview with Accra-based Okay FM, Mr Paul Afoko, who was suspended as chairman of the NPP in October 2015, welcomed the amnesty.

He, however, questioned why the amnesty would come with a condition that prevents the suspended returnees from contesting in any internal party elections.

Speaking to Kwame Nkrumah Tikese, Mr Afoko urged the party to grant an unconditional amnesty if they were serious about building a united front ahead of election 2028.

“If they are calling on all of us to return and help reorganise the party, then the best thing to do is what they have done, but if you are asking everyone to come back then don’t give them conditions; we all come back together unconditionally. You don’t give conditions, everybody,” he said.

Why Paul Afoko was suspended

Paul Afoko was indefinitely suspended as national chairman of the opposition NPP in 2025, following allegations by some party supporters that he had undermined then-flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo during the lead-up to the 2016 elections.

The suspension was decided during an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) held at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.

According to a source who spoke to Myjoyonline.com, NEC members present reached the decision unanimously.

Watch the video below:

Netizens support Afoko’s call for unconditional amnesty

Ghanaians on social media who came across Paul Afoko’s interview on Okay FM thronged the comment section to share their views, with the majority supporting his call for an unconditional amnesty to suspended party members.

YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:

@Obrimpong Tutu said:

“True.. It has to be unconditional… I agree with Chairman.”

@DK Fofie also said:

“I agree with the conditions, first we have to know your intentions and other things for coming back before we can allow you to contest for any positions. Some second comings are dangerous like we’re witnessing in government.”

@Edward Adasah Nkrumah commented:

“That was what came into my mind when I read the letter.”

NPP lifts suspension on former general secretary

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported in the past that the NPP finally rescinded its decision to indefinitely suspend former General Secretary, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.

The decision to lift the ban was based on his active involvement in Akufo-Addo’s 2020 election campaign.

Kwabena Agyepong was free to seek or contest any position in the party as a bonafide member of the NPP.

Source: YEN.com.gh