By Benjamin Adamafio Commey, GNA
Accra, Nov. 15, GNA – Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be responsive to the needs of the youth to continue to enjoy their support.
He said the youth constituted a significant proportion of the country’s voting population and could decisively influence electoral outcomes, making it imperative for the Party to remain responsive to their needs and expectations.
Speaking in a media interview at the NDC Greater Accra Regional Executive Elections on Saturday, Mr Tamakloe said persons aged between 18 and 35 constituted approximately 35 to 40 per cent of the voting population in the 2024 general election.
Their electoral influence required the Party to pay particular attention to issues affecting young people, especially employment, economic opportunities and general welfare, he added.
“Their support ought not to be taken for granted. Their vote is contingent primarily on their needs, and so, as a political party, we must be sensitive to the needs of younger persons,” he said.
Mr Tamakloe said young people would respond positively to political parties that demonstrated a genuine commitment to addressing their concerns, and that must be taken seriously.
He urged the Party to remain alert to the expectations of young voters and develop effective strategies to engage them, expressing confidence in the NDC’s capacity to meet that responsibility.
The Party, on Friday, November 13, commenced a nationwide election of new regional executives to steer the affairs for the next four years.
The elections form part of the Party’s internal reorganisation and leadership renewal process at the regional level, with national executive elections slated for December 19.
In the Greater Accra Region, Benjamin Danso toppled incumbent Emmanuel Ashi-Moore to become the Regional Chairman, while William Vinyo and Thomas Ashong were elected Vice Chairmen.
Other elected executives include; Amos Blessing Amorse as Regional Secretary; Gambo Zam-Atu, Regional Organiser; Felicia Mekpoi Bortey who was retained as Regional Women’s Organiser for a fourth term, and Mohammed Abdul Muqmin Juda, Regional Youth Organiser.
Mr Tamakloe said the Party was already laying the groundwork for the 2028 elections through its internal organisational processes, including the constituency elections and the ongoing regional executive elections.
The newly elected regional executives, working with constituency-level structures, would be expected to build a strong campaign machinery capable of securing victory for the Party in 2028, he said.
“We are not treating the 2028 election as a walk in the park. We want to fight for every single vote. That is our priority,” he added.
On youth mobilisation, the NPA Boss expressed confidence in the newly elected Greater Accra Regional Youth Organiser, Mohammed Juda, saying his experience and organisational capabilities would strengthen the Party’s campaign among young people.
He described Mr Juda as an effective grassroots organiser who understood the demands of political mobilisation and had the capacity to energise the youth wing for the 2028 campaign.
Mr Tamakloe said the NDC must not only consolidate its electoral gains among students and young voters in tertiary institutions but also work consistently to retain their support.
He said the Party would have to intensify its engagement with youth organisers across the constituencies to communicate its policies and demonstrate their benefits to young people.
He cited job creation and opportunities under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama as important areas through which the Party could strengthen its appeal to the youth.
He also pointed to the Government’s planned recruitment of about 10,000 nurses in 2027, as indicated by the Finance Minister in the 2027 Budget and Economic Policy, as well as further recruitment into the security services.
He said such initiatives, together with other interventions aimed at improving opportunities for young people, formed part of the Party’s vision for the country’s youth.
Mr Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, said the NDC would work towards securing all 34 parliamentary seats in the Greater Accra Region in the 2028 general election.
The Party currently holds 29 of the Region’s 34 parliamentary seats.
Speaking at the Party’s regional executive elections in Accra, Mr George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, said the Party would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to secure the remaining seats.
He said the Party was determined to strengthen its electoral fortunes in the Region and secure a comprehensive victory in the 2028 general election.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey
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