Outgoing National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has cautioned party members against allowing individuals and groups with financial interests to influence the National Youth Organiser election.
According to him, his successor must be independent-minded and committed to the interests of young people rather than becoming indebted to political figures who finance their campaign.
In a statement titled “We Have Been Here Before”, Mr Opare Addo expressed concern about what he described as attempts by some individuals outside the Youth Wing to determine who should occupy the position.
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He alleged that whenever the party is preparing to elect a new National Youth Organiser, some people with limited understanding of the Youth Wing’s operations become actively involved in the process.
According to him, such individuals hold meetings, mobilise resources and sometimes finance preferred candidates in an attempt to secure influence over whoever emerges victorious.
“Unfortunately, this is not always borne out of love for the party or a genuine desire to see the Youth Wing succeed. In some instances, it is about securing influence and control over whoever eventually emerges,” he said.
Mr Opare Addo stressed that the position of National Youth Organiser is an important leadership office that should not become an appendage of any individual or faction within the NDC.
“The Youth Wing must not produce a leader whose first obligation is to those who financed his or her ambition. The obligation must be to the party, its ideals and, above all, the young people whose interests the office exists to serve,” he stated.
The outgoing National Youth Organiser also reflected on his tenure, recalling that he assumed office in 2018 when the NDC was recovering from an electoral defeat and had lost significant ground on several tertiary campuses.
He said his leadership, working with his deputies, regional and constituency youth organisers, TEIN executives and the National Youth Working Committee, focused on rebuilding and repositioning the party’s Youth Wing.
He acknowledged the contribution of the National Youth Working Committee, particularly its role in mobilising resources and providing support for the activities of the youth organisation.
According to him, the collective efforts helped strengthen the party’s structures and restore its appeal among young people, with the 2020 and 2024 general elections serving as important milestones.
As he prepares to hand over, Mr Opare Addo said his priority is to ensure that the next leader understands the history of the Youth Wing, appreciates the sacrifices made and builds on the achievements of the current leadership.
He pledged his full support to whoever is elected but insisted that his backing should not be interpreted as an attempt to influence the outcome of the contest.
“I will give my utmost support to the next National Youth Organizer. But that support must not be mistaken for an attempt to dictate who should emerge. The choice belongs to the delegates and members of the Youth Wing,” he said.
Mr Opare Addo urged delegates and members of the NDC Youth Wing to elect their next leader based on conviction, capacity, commitment and an understanding of the responsibilities of the office.
He warned against allowing financial inducements and the political preferences of influential individuals to determine the future of the organisation.
“We must not mortgage the future of the Youth Wing for temporary financial inducements or the interests of a few individuals,” he cautioned.
He urged party members to learn from past experiences and protect the independence of the Youth Wing in the upcoming leadership transition.