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NPP must regain trust of businesses through new prosperity agenda – Afoko
Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mr Awentami Paul Afoko has stated that the party must rebuild confidence among businesses and return to its traditional position as a champion of enterprise, innovation and wealth creation if it wants to reconnect with Ghanaians and regain political relevance.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on July 14, 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra to announce his bid as National Chairman, Mr. Afoko acknowledged that sections of the business community became dissatisfied with some policies and decisions taken during the NPP’s previous administration, resulting in concerns over economic hardship, uncertainty and declining confidence.
According to him, the party must have the courage to listen to these concerns, reflect on its past actions and make the necessary corrections.
“To the business community, I say this: the NPP must regain your trust. We know that mistakes were made. We know that some of you felt disappointed. We know that some policies and actions created hardship, uncertainty or frustration. As a party, we must have the humility to listen, to learn and to correct what went wrong,” he stated.
Mr. Afoko argued that the NPP’s political identity has historically been linked to economic empowerment, private initiative and creating opportunities for individuals and businesses to grow.
He said the party must return boldly to those principles by engaging key players in the economy, including traders, manufacturers, farmers, transport operators, artisans, professionals, contractors, technology entrepreneurs, and young start-ups.
“The NPP remains the natural home of business, enterprise, innovation, and wealth creation. We must work with traders, manufacturers, farmers, transport operators, artisans, professionals, contractors, technology entrepreneurs, and young start-ups to build a new prosperity agenda,” he said.
He stressed that a strong relationship between government and the private sector is essential for job creation, economic stability, and national development.
Mr. Afoko added that rebuilding trust with businesses would require more than political promises; it would require a renewed commitment to policies that encourage investment, support entrepreneurship, and create an environment where citizens can pursue economic opportunities.
He maintained that the NPP’s future success depends on its ability to convince Ghanaians, especially business owners and entrepreneurs, that it remains committed to creating an economy driven by opportunity and innovation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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