Prince Akpah: Young Ghanaian Politicians Influencing December 2020 Elections
As Ghana heads for the 2020 polls, several players are leading the fort for various political parties and influencing how young people participate in the elections.
From
involvement in the National campaign to being a part of manifesto teams,
political parties have fervently identified the crucial role young people
deserve on the tables of planning the future of the country. With the majority
of the voting population being the youth who are also considered as the most
active players on the campaign trail, the times when the efforts of young
people were undermined are slowly closing.
Former President
Jerry John Rawlings became a head of state at 32 and since then various young
people have been elected as Parliamentarians and others appointed as, District
Chief Executives, Ministers, CEOs amongst many other positions. The political
journey, in this 4th republic, for young Ghanaians has been phenomenal and
remarkable.
Also,
taking our minds back to the works and influence of the Young Patriots during
the first republic, we can easily say young people have always been an integral
part of the success of any government in Ghana.
Even as
social media becomes the main platform for the activities of campaigning during
this global pandemic, some young people have demonstrated sterling leadership
in carrying out their works with determination, intelligence, foresight,
optimism, charisma and exuberant confidence coupled with great communication
skills.
This
article seeks to outline the young people who have become frontline role models
for other young politicians in Ghana. From running for office as members of
parliament to being members of the national campaign team, these young people
have proven beyond doubt that politics and running a nation is not a job for
only older people.
With
representation from the 2 major political parties in Ghana and a good dose of
gender parity, below are the young Ghanaians influencing the upcoming 2020
elections.
Amanda Okyere (27): Mrs Amanda Okyere is National Democratic
Congress (NDCs) Parliamentary Candidate for the Suhum constituency in the
Eastern Region. At 27, She is one of the youngest candidates in the country
running for office to become a member of parliament. Her biggest task is to
redeem the sit back for the NDC party, an attempt which has been unsuccessful
by several former contenders.
Benard Oko-Boye (Dr) (38): Hon Bernard Oko-Boye is the current Deputy
Minister of Health and member of parliament representing Ledzokuku on the
ticket of the NPP. He is a known communicator of the party and is running for a
second term in 2020. His position offers him the platform to sell the works and
accomplishment of his party in the health sector and beyond.
Davis Opoku Ansah (35): Davis Opoku Ansah popularly known as OPK is
a first-time contender for the seat of the Member of Parliament representing
the Mpraeso constituency in the Eastern region on the ticket of the New
Patriotic Party (NPP). He successfully defeated the incumbent in his party
primaries with sterling performance and is vigorously campaigning to increase
the vote margin for his party in his constituency. He served as Director of
Communications, then later as Director of Operations for the Alliance for
Accountable Governance (AFAG).
Edem Agbana: Edem Agbana is the deputy National Youth
Organiser of the opposition NDC and the party’s manifesto spokesperson on Youth
Development. Emerging from a background of student politics after serving as
the SRC president in the University of Ghana, his experience in the campaign
front is such admirable.
Edudzi Tamakloe: Lawyer Edudzi Tamakloe is a member of the
NDC’s legal team and popular spokesperson for the party. His role in the
election is evident as to the number of cases the party has to go through. His
leadership in the party is also inspiring other young lawyers to join the
campaign trail to share the messages of their various parties.
Farouk Aliu Mahama (39): It is unsurprising to see Farouk Mahama step
into the soldering shoes of his late father, Aljahi Aliu Mahama, former Vice
President of Ghana. With the influence he holds through his family’s track
record, he won the primaries in Northern Region to represent the people of
Yendi in parliament on the ticket of the NPP. His win will be another
endorsement for the role young people deserve to play in national politics.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu: Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu is a former Deputy
Information Minister and currently aspiring to be a Member of Parliament
representing the Abura Asebu Kwamankese constituency on the ticket of the NDC.
He is also a known communicator in the party representing them on several media
channels to sell the manifesto and messages of the party.
Francisca Oteng-Mensah (27): Hon. Francisca Oteng-Mensah is currently the
youngest member in Ghana parliament representing the Kwabre East Constituency
on the ticket of the NPP. She currently holds the role as Board Chairperson of
the National Youth Authority. Her role in the constituency is quite admirable
and she has set a great example for other young politicians to follow in the
country.
Henry Nana Boakye: Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye is the current
National Youth Organiser of the NPP and a strong pillar in the campaign team
projecting the works of the ruling government. His role as the leader of the
youth of the party allows him to influence the daily activities of the youthful
campaign movement of the NPP. He is known to be a formidable influencer among
young people in the party and is consulted widely on the role of young people
in retaining his party in power.
John Dumelo (36): John Dumelo is an actor, entrepreneur and
politician currently aspiring to be a Member of Parliament on the ticket of the
NDC in the Ayawaso West Wuogon. He stands tall as the most followed politician
on social media and has been able to use the various platforms to project his
campaign activities which have gained admiration across his fan base.
John Ntim Fordjour (34): Hon John Ntim Fordjour is a pastor and
currently Member of Parliament representing the Assin South constituency on0
the ticket of the NPP. He is currently running for his second term.
Julian M. Cobbinah: Julian M. Cobbinah is currently the
youngest member of the NDC’s national campaign team. As a former president of
the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Julian’s influence transcends
among various national student bodies across the country.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (38): Hon Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is the current
Minister for Information and Member of Parliament representing the
Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency on the ticket of the NPP. As the official
spokesperson of the ruling government, Kojo has attained enough recognition and
admiration from young people across the country. Contending for the second
time, it is expected of him to make an impressive record by increasing his vote
margin.
Kow Essuman (34): Lawyer Kow Essuman Esq. is an assistant
secretary and counsel to the President of Ghana and a core member of the
communication team assembled to execute the 2020 campaign of the NPP. His
actions are expected to reflect in the social media activities of the president
and NPP. He is currently a board member of the Minerals Income Investment Fund
and was voted as the Most Influential Young Ghanaian in 2017 in a ranking poll
by Avance Media.
Prince Hamidu Armah (Dr) (39): Dr Prince Hamidu Armah is a former lecturer
and the current head of the National Council for Curriculum Assessment. He is
an aspiring member of parliament for the Kwesimintin constituency for the NPP
after defeating the incumbent at the party’s primaries. His national position
offers him the opportunity to market himself and his potentials to his
constituents.
Sammy Awuku (36): Sammy Awuku is the current National
Organiser of the New Patriotic Party and the board chair of the Youth
Employment Agency. His position offers him influence as the director of activities
across the country in regards to how the ruling party fairs in the upcoming
election.
Sammy Gyamfi: Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi Esq. is the
Communications Director and official spokesperson of the opposition NDC. As the
youngest member of the national executive, Sammy’s role in the NDC offers him
the platform to influence daily communication strategies of the party.
Samuel Nartey George (35): Hon Sam George is the current Member of
Parliament for the Ningo Prampram Constituency representing the NDC and the
spokesperson of the NDC’s manifesto on Infrastructure. He is also running for a
second term on the ticket of the NDC.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (40): Hon Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa is a Deputy
Minister and the current Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency
representing the NDC. He is very outspoken on various national matters and
represents the NDC on various panels to tout the achievements and
accomplishments of his party and why they should be given a second chance.
Sarah Adwoa Safo (38): Hon Sarah Adwoa Safo is the current Minister
of Procurement, Majority Chief Whip and the current Member of Parliament and
candidate for Dome Kwabenya constituency representing the NPP. Her role in the
party extends beyond her accolades to have been the face of youth leadership in
politics. Her accomplishment stands tall and she represents her people with
applauds from her constituents.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah Jnr: Vincent Ekow Assafuah Jnr is the current PRO
of the Ministry of Education and aspiring Member of Parliament for the Old Tafo
constituency on the ticket of the NPP.
Article
authored by Prince Akpah, Managing Director of Avance Media
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