Sports
Let’s get the NPP back into winning ways – Afoko Rallies Minority MPs
Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has urged the party’s Minority Caucus in Parliament to lead the charge in returning the NPP to electoral victory.
Speaking at a closed-door meeting with the MPs in Accra on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Mr.Afoko unveiled a new political strategy dubbed the ‘3R Agenda’ focused on Reuniting, Rebuilding, and Recapturing power for the party.
He described the initiative as a roadmap to restore unity, strengthen grassroots support, and position the NPP for future electoral success.
“For years I chose to work quietly behind the scenes, supporting the NPP in private,” Afoko said. “But recent developments have compelled me to step forward. We need to get our party back into winning ways, and that starts with unity and purpose.”Afoko stressed that the Minority MPs have a critical role to play, both as lawmakers and as unifying figures within the party.
He warned that without a concerted effort to rebuild internal cohesion, the goal of returning to power would remain a mirage. Drawing on his tenure as National Chairman, Afoko highlighted the NPP’s 2014 presidential primaries as a model of internal discipline and unity.
“We conducted primaries where every candidate accepted the outcome, and no one broke away to run independently,” he said.
“Leaders like Sammy Awuku can attest to the level of organization and trust we had at the time.”He noted that the party’s electoral base has eroded over the years, particularly during periods in government when internal competition for positions often breeds division.
“Historically, even in opposition, the NPP has outperformed the NDC in vote percentages,” Afoko said.
He noted “That tells us our base is strong, but it has weakened. The question now is: how do we win it back?.”
According to Mr. Afoko, “the answer lies in the 3R Agenda: Reunite; Heal internal divisions and restore trust across factions. Rebuild; Strengthen party structures from the polling station to the national level and Recapture; Re-engage the base and present a credible, united front to Ghanaians.”
Afoko appealed to party members to rally behind the vision, citing his track record as evidence of his ability to deliver results.
“My record speaks for itself. I am result-oriented, and with the collective support of the party, we can achieve this,” he said.
He concluded by calling on the NPP to move past internal rivalries and focus on the bigger goal: winning the trust of Ghanaians and returning to government to deliver development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto after Canadian authorities refused him entry.
A FIFA statement to The Athletic confirmed the Arsenal star cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, for Wednesday’s, June 17, opener against Panama.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read.
FIFA stressed it has no role in immigration decisions: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration rules state that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged with offenses in the UK but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The Black Stars will now have to do without their midfield anchor for the crucial Group E opener against Panama.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana have arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, for the final phase of preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The team departed Virginia on Thursday afternoon and touched down at T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island at about 6:00 p.m.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad will resume training on Friday as they fine-tune preparations for their opening Group L game against Panama.
The Black Stars wrapped up a week-long training camp in Washington following their international friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
The camp in Virginia included intensive sessions at the American University and D.C. United training ground and a farewell dinner with the Ghanaian community in Alexandria.
Ghana now enters the final stretch of preparation in Providence before heading to Toronto for the June 17 opener against Panama at Toronto Stadium.
The Black Stars will also face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 to complete Group L.
Queiroz’s 26-man squad features captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who is set for his second successive World Cup.
The team is expected to hold training sessions and series of Community engagement programs in Rhode Island in the coming days.
