Opare Addo Fires Warning Over NDC Youth Organizer Race

Outgoing National Youth Organizer of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has cautioned party figures against interfering in the election of his successor, insisting that the position is not an appendage of any individual or faction within the party.

He expressed concern over what he described as the growing practice of influential individuals with very little understanding of the operations and development of the Youth Wing attempting to determine who should occupy the position whenever a new National Youth Organizer is to be elected.

According to him, some party figures, from the comfort of their offices, hold meetings, mobilise resources and finance preferred candidates in an attempt to secure influence and control over whoever eventually emerges.

In a Facebook post over the weekend, sighted by The Archives, Mr Opare Addo, who is also the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, stressed that the National Youth Organizer position is a critical leadership role that demands courage, conviction, independent thinking and a strong commitment to the interests of young people.

He maintained that the office must not become a platform for individuals or groups to advance their political interests or impose their preferred candidates on the Youth Wing.

“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.

Mr Opare Addo also warned that the future of the Youth Wing must not be sacrificed for temporary financial inducements or the interests of a few individuals.

“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 said.

Reflecting on his tenure, which began in 2018, he said he inherited a Youth Wing weakened by the party’s electoral defeat and dwindling presence on several tertiary campuses.

He, however, credited his deputies, regional and constituency youth organisers, Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) executives, members of the National Youth Working Committee and the broader youth machinery for helping rebuild and reposition the wing.

According to him, the collective efforts of the various structures helped strengthen the party’s presence, restore confidence among young people and make the NDC more attractive to the youth, with the 2020 and 2024 general elections serving as significant milestones.

He particularly acknowledged the contribution of the National Youth Working Committee to resource mobilisation and the provision of support for the activities of the Youth Wing.

As he prepares to hand over, Mr Opare Addo said his priority is to ensure that his successor understands the history of the organisation, appreciates the sacrifices made and possesses the courage to build on the achievements recorded during his tenure.

He pledged his full support for the incoming National Youth Organizer but was quick to clarify that such support should not be interpreted as an attempt to influence the outcome of the election.

“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 emphasised.

He urged delegates to elect their next leader based on conviction, competence, commitment and a genuine understanding of the responsibilities of the office, rather than financial backing or the political preferences of influential party figures.

“Let the youth decide their own future,” he appealed, warning that allowing external interests to dictate the leadership of the Youth Wing could undermine its independence and future development.