The Upper West Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Basiera Sankara, has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National Youth Organiser of the party.
Sankara made the declaration at the NDC Upper West Regional Youth Wing and Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) retreat held in Wa on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
He said his years of service to the party had equipped him with the experience needed to lead the NDC youth wing at the national level, citing his track record in youth mobilisation, governance and empowerment.
“My record is one of service, one of organising, one of grassroots leadership and of unwavering commitment to the National Democratic Congress,” he said.
Sankara expressed appreciation to the current national youth leadership and pledged to build on their work if elected.
According to him, the NDC youth wing has been built on the sacrifices of past national youth leaders, whose contributions continue to inspire the current generation.
He appealed to constituency youth organisers, regional and national executives and delegates across the country to support his bid, promising to build a united, inclusive and resource-empowered youth wing firmly rooted in the grassroots.
“I come with confidence, but not arrogance. I come with courage, but not boastfulness. I come with experience, but also with humility,” he said.
Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, who addressed the retreat, urged young members of the NDC to focus on building their capacity and exercising patience as the government works to address the country’s challenges.
He cautioned party supporters against expecting all their personal challenges to be resolved within the first 20 months of the NDC administration.
The retired police officer argued that the party needed to remain in power for a longer period to implement its programmes and create opportunities for young people.
He also urged young politicians to maintain integrity by ensuring that their private conduct reflected their public image, warning that political opponents would scrutinise their personal lives as they rose through the ranks.
The Wa West MP further challenged aspiring leaders to develop clear visions and the ability to translate those visions into tangible results.
He said President John Dramani Mahama’s “Reset” agenda provided an example of leadership that should inspire young people to develop their own capacity to lead.
Retired Toobu also called on the youth to remain loyal to the NDC and avoid abandoning the party because of temporary disappointments.
Meanwhile, the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq., on his part, urged NDC youth to conduct their internal campaigns with restraint as the party prepares for constituency, regional and national elections.
He said differences over preferred candidates should not turn party members into enemies.
The Minister particularly cautioned supporters of candidates against vilifying opponents, stressing that political choices should be respected.
“That doesn’t make him an enemy. It’s just a political choice he’s making,” he said.
Puozuing encouraged the youth to embrace constructive criticism, maintain unity and avoid actions that could create divisions that would be difficult to repair after the elections.
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