Former Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sarfo Raphael Patrick (Raph), has commended Ashanti Regional Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as Chairman COKA, for forming various committees to strengthen the party’s internal organisation.
According to him, the initiative provides an opportunity to bring together experienced party members, professionals, former and current party officers, grassroots activists and other stakeholders to contribute to the effective running of the NPP in the Ashanti Region.
Mr Sarfo said a political organisation as large and diverse as the NPP could not be strengthened by one individual or group, stressing the need for teamwork, consultation and inclusivity.
He said the current initiative also offered the party an opportunity to learn from past experiences and improve its internal structures.
Reflecting on his time under the previous regional administration, he acknowledged that broader consultative and functional committee structures were not sufficiently established to allow more members to participate in decision-making and implementation.
He said the lack of adequate consultation and broader participation at certain points affected coordination, communication and the party’s ability to respond effectively to concerns from different sections of its membership.
“This is not about blaming individuals or reopening old divisions. It is about learning from the past so that we can build a better future,” he said.
Mr Sarfo stressed that inclusivity must remain a key component of efforts to strengthen the party, arguing that members should be given opportunities to contribute and have their views considered in the affairs of the Regional Secretariat.
He particularly emphasised the importance of constituency, electoral-area and polling-station structures, describing them as the foundation of the NPP.
“Their concerns must be heard, and their representatives must have meaningful avenues to participate in the regional agenda,” he said.
He further welcomed what he described as the teamwork being demonstrated by Chairman COKA and his Regional Executive, saying the committee system could help create a more coordinated and participatory regional organisation.
Mr Sarfo called for a shift from individualism to collective responsibility, division to consultation, and exclusion to broader participation.
He urged NPP members across the Ashanti Region to support the Regional Chairman and his Executive and actively participate in the new structures.
He also encouraged members appointed to the various committees to regard their positions as responsibilities to serve the party and provide practical solutions rather than merely as titles.
The former Youth Organiser appealed to constituency executives, polling-station executives, youth and women organisers, Nasara coordinators, TESCON members, former executives and other stakeholders to contribute constructive ideas to the process.
He also called on members to put aside personal differences and work towards rebuilding the party’s structures.
“We may disagree on methods, personalities and approaches, but we must never allow those differences to destroy the unity of our party,” he said.
Mr Sarfo urged party members to choose dialogue over division, collaboration over isolation and service over self-interest.
“No faction, individual or group is bigger than the party. Our collective strength lies in our unity,” he added.
He said Chairman COKA and his Executive had created an opportunity for greater teamwork and inclusivity and urged members to work together towards a united and stronger NPP in the Ashanti Region.
“Let us walk through that door together—united in purpose, disciplined in action and committed to the future of our party,” he said.
