It was formed by the merger between the Popular Front Party (PFP) led by Victor Owusu,[1] the United National Convention (UNC) led by William Ofori Atta[2] and other parties in June 1981.
It became the main opposition party in Ghana during the Third Republic until the military coup d'état on 31 December 1981 after which all political parties were banned by the Provisional National Defence Council.
Five opposition parties initially set out to form the APP.
Obed Asamoah, also of the UNC became the General Secretary with Obeng Manu as his deputy.
John Bilson, leader of the TFP was elected as the chairman while Nii Amaa Amarteifio and J. H. Mensah of the PFP were appointed as deputy chairpersons.