Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Paul Afoko, is facing renewed scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the death of former Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, as he seeks a political comeback and another shot at the party’s top leadership position.
Nearly eleven years after the gruesome acid attack that claimed Adams Mahama’s life, Mr. Afoko has publicly declared that neither he nor his family had any involvement in the incident.
However, his latest attempt to clear his name has triggered fresh criticism from sections of the party, particularly in the Upper East Region, where many believe the controversy continues to cast a long shadow over his political ambitions.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with party members in Bolgatanga as part of his nationwide stakeholder engagement tour, Mr. Afoko rejected longstanding allegations linking him or his family to the late regional chairman’s death.
“Our late Regional Chairman, Adams, I can stand here today and tell you that I had no hand in what happened to him. My family had no hand in what happened to him,” he stated.
But critics within the party have questioned the timing of the declaration, arguing that Mr. Afoko’s comments are driven more by political necessity than a genuine desire to address lingering concerns.
Some party activists contend that the former chairman remained largely silent on the matter for years and only chose to publicly defend himself now because of his renewed quest for leadership.
According to some party insiders, Mr. Afoko’s absence from frontline party activities following his controversial removal as National Chairman contrasts sharply with the conduct of other party figures who remained actively engaged despite internal disagreements.
They point to former General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong, who continued campaigning and supporting the party through successive elections despite facing his own political setbacks.
Party grassroots have argued that, before seeking another leadership mandate, Mr. Afoko should focus on rebuilding trust and reconciling with party faithful who still associate his tenure with one of the darkest chapters in the party’s history.
Adams Mahama died in May 2015 after suffering severe burns from an acid attack outside his residence in Bolgatanga.
The shocking incident sparked national outrage, prolonged legal proceedings and deepened factional divisions within the NPP.
While Mr. Afoko insists attempts to implicate him or his family are unfair and ignore the longstanding relationship between the Afoko and Mahama families, sceptics remain unconvinced.
He told party members that both families had maintained close traditional and personal ties for generations, making suggestions of his involvement difficult to understand.
“We allowed people to come and play games with us. But I want to state clearly that neither my family nor I had anything to do with the death of Adams Mahama,” he reiterated.
Nevertheless, some opponents, particularly in the northern regions, believe the issue remains an unresolved political burden that could undermine his campaign for a return to the chairmanship.
Mr. Afoko, however, maintains that the tragedy contributed significantly to divisions within the party and has called for reconciliation, unity and healing as the NPP prepares for future political contests.
As part of his campaign message, he has pledged to strengthen grassroots structures, expand the influence of polling station executives and rebuild confidence within the party.
Whether his renewed assurances will convince sceptics and erase doubts surrounding one of the most painful episodes in the NPP’s history remains a key question as the race for the party’s leadership gathers momentum.
