Paul Afoko breaks silence on NPP suspension trauma

Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has spoken candidly about the emotional turmoil he endured following his suspension from the party, describing it as one of the most painful chapters of his political career.

Paul Afoko revealed that the suspension left him so bitter he could not stand to watch NPP programmes or see party officials on television, often switching channels to avoid them.

He said he felt deeply betrayed by individuals within the party whom he now regards as dishonest and untruthful.

In an interview with Starr FM on Thursday, September 4, he said “After my suspension had gone through and I went to court, and the court came up with that bizarre judgement, I walked away and said, never again. I’m not going to look for any active position in party politics, because it’s a thankless job. These days, when I see them on TV, I don’t change channels. I used to change channels because I couldn’t stand the sight of people I believed were liars.”

According to him, it was the wise counsel of former President John Agyekum Kufuor that helped him gradually overcome the anger and bitterness that consumed him for years.

“There were points at which I was so incandescent with rage. But one day, I went over to former President Kufuor and he said to me, ‘You’re still angry. Your anger is eating you. Let it go. Why are you angry?’” Afoko recalled.

He admitted that by 2017, he had begun to let go of the bitterness and could finally watch his party’s activities on television without being overwhelmed by resentment.

Afoko added that, at his lowest point, the lies and accusations levelled against him almost drove him out of politics entirely. But with time—and President Kufuor’s advice—he was able to find peace and move on from the painful experience.