Former Minister for Roads and Highways and founding President of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), Francis Asenso-Boakye, has challenged the organisation’s newly appointed national leadership to embrace innovation and adapt to the changing dynamics of political engagement in Ghana.
According to the Bantama Member of Parliament, the emergence of social media, digital technology and new forms of political communication has fundamentally transformed the political environment, making it necessary for TESCON to review its strategies and operations.
He made these remarks when the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Abanga Fuseni, led a delegation of newly appointed national youth and TESCON executives to pay him a courtesy call and seek his guidance and support on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in Accra.
Reflecting on the organisation’s history, Asenso-Boakye recalled that TESCON began approximately 26 years ago with just three universities but has since expanded to over 250 tertiary institutions nationwide.
He observed that while the organisation had recorded significant growth in numbers and geographical presence, its continued relevance would depend on its ability to respond to the changing expectations of young people.
The former Minister stressed that the traditional methods of student political engagement had undergone considerable transformation, particularly with the growing influence of social media platforms.
He therefore encouraged the leadership to invest in digital literacy, innovative communication, research and leadership development.
Asenso-Boakye further urged the executives to preserve the founding ideals of TESCON as an intellectual and leadership development platform, rather than limiting its activities to routine political engagements.
He noted that TESCON had over the years become an important breeding ground for future leaders of the NPP and Ghana, producing individuals who have risen to prominent positions in politics, governance and public administration.
He cited the NPP General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, and the party’s Second Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, among former TESCON members who have occupied important leadership positions in the party.
He also mentioned several Members of Parliament and former ministers who had passed through the organisation, describing their progression into national leadership as evidence of TESCON’s contribution to political leadership development.
Asenso-Boakye urged the new executives to build upon this legacy by strengthening mentorship, political education and professional development programmes for members.
He assured the delegation of his continued support and guidance as they work to strengthen the organisation.
The delegation included Deputy National Youth Organisers Priscilla Ekua Okorno and Dr Ayaaba Ibrahim Bawumia; National TESCON Coordinator Ebenezer Kojo Amoah; and Deputy National TESCON Coordinators Kwabena Owusu Junior and Ganio Bansi.
He called on the organisation’s newly appointed national executives to strengthen its role as a centre for policy research, intellectual engagement and leadership development within the NPP.
He said TESCON’s contribution to the party should extend beyond campus political activities to include serious engagement with national development challenges and the formation of practical policy ideas.
He recalled that the organisation was conceived not merely as a student political platform but also as an avenue for nurturing knowledgeable and responsible future leaders.
“I’m encouraging the new executives to promote research, public policy discussions, debates and intellectual exchanges on issues affecting Ghana’s development. Tertiary institutions possess enormous intellectual resources that can contribute to informed policy discussions within the party. TESCON had already demonstrated its potential as a leadership development institution, having produced several prominent figures in the NPP and national public life,” he observed.
In Parliament, he mentioned himself and other TESCON alumni, including Kwame Appiah-Koduah, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Stephen Amoah, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Charles Owiredu, Gideon Boako, Nana Asafo-Adjei, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, among others.
He also referred to former ministers, including Isaac Kwame Asiamah, and several chief executives and public officials who had passed through TESCON.
By Benjamin Aidoo
