A hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairmanship, Awentami Paul Afoko, is urging the party to ditch what he calls “guesswork.” He wants the NPP to embrace a research-driven strategy. This strategy aims to protect its current parliamentary seats. It also seeks to rebuild its electoral strength for the 2028 general elections.
Mr. Afoko spoke to the NPP Minority Caucus in Accra. He stated that the party’s success in the next election depends on smart planning. He stressed the importance of making decisions based on data. Effective communication is also vital, he said. “We need to be focused so we can bring to bear what we have set our minds to do,” he told the MPs. “No more guesswork. If we want to win, we must know exactly where we stand, constituency by constituency,” he added.
The former National Chairman believes this approach is crucial for Ghana’s political landscape. Modern elections are increasingly decided by intelligence and understanding voters. This is more important than relying on instinct alone. He called for investment in polling and focus groups. Rapid feedback systems can help understand public sentiment better. “I believe in research-based activities,” he stated. “When you combine that with improved, targeted communication, you give the party the strength to connect with Ghanaians and win their trust.”
Mr. Afoko highlighted the current parliamentary numbers. The NPP currently has 87 Members of Parliament (MPs). He stressed the need to protect these seats first. “What we have, we protect,” he said. However, he added that protection alone is not enough. “We must deliberately find a way to gain more seats and expand our footprint,” he urged.
This new strategy is part of Mr. Afoko’s broader political vision. He stated that it requires the support of the entire party structure. “This is part of the strategy I have, and I am asking for your support to make it a reality,” he appealed to the MPs. He believes that a united, informed, and disciplined NPP is the best way forward. Such an approach can help reclaim lost political ground. It can also lead to winning a stronger mandate in future elections.
The NPP faces a significant challenge in the upcoming electoral cycle. The party aims to regain lost ground from the 2024 elections. Afoko's proposal signals a potential shift in internal party strategy. It moves away from traditional campaigning methods. This data-centric approach could redefine how political parties operate in Ghana. The effectiveness of such research will influence voter engagement and campaign resource allocation for candidates.