Comrade Stephen Nhira Odarteifio has declared his intention to contest for the position of National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), pledging to champion economic opportunities, leadership inclusion and greater support for young people at the grassroots and across Ghana.
Declaring his bid, Comrade Stephen Nhira Odarteifio said his decision was inspired by the concerns of party foot soldiers, unemployed graduates, struggling entrepreneurs, and branch and constituency organisers who, despite years of sacrifice and commitment, feel overlooked and excluded from opportunities.
He said young people should not be told to “wait till your turn” or be made to believe that they need money and connections before they can aspire to leadership or meaningful opportunities.
According to him, readiness for leadership should be assessed based on a person’s ideas, service, character, impact and ability to deliver.
Comrade Stephen Nhira Odarteifio said he wants to create opportunities that give young people economic dignity, particularly at the grassroots level.
He said his vision is to ensure that the next branch leader, branch organiser or youth activist does not have to buy their way into leadership, but can rise through service, commitment and demonstrated ability.
He also expressed concern about inequality and neglect at the branch and constituency levels, saying such challenges continue to affect grassroots party members.
Comrade Stephen Nhira Odarteifio said his decision to contest is also intended to support President John Dramani Mahama and the government in delivering on its mission, while ensuring that young people have a meaningful stake in Ghana’s economic development.
“I want my unlikely presence here today to prove that the young person with a message, a track record, with little resource and a community of believers can still organise, rise and lead,” he said.
Odarteifio explains why he is contesting
Speaking in an interview after the press conference, Comrade Stephen Nhira Odarteifio responded to questions about his decision to seek the national youth leadership position despite not having served as a constituency or regional youth organiser.
He questioned whether previous experience in such positions should be a requirement for national leadership, citing historical and international figures whom he said emerged to lead because they identified problems and developed the determination to address them.
“Was Atta Mills a constituency youth organiser? Was Barack Obama a constituency youth organiser? Was Jerry Rawlings a branch organiser?” he asked.
Comrade Stephen Nhira Odarteifio also invoked the biblical story of Moses, saying leadership can emerge from individuals who develop a strong desire to address the challenges facing their people.
He further cited Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, arguing that when Nkrumah returned from London and the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) needed a General Secretary, the consideration was not whether he had previously served as a branch or constituency organiser, but whether he could lead the struggle for independence.
“That is what I’m here to do: to lead the young people of Ghana into economic independence,” Comrade Stephen Nhira Odarteifio said.
He maintained that the NDC must lead the way in creating a political environment where young people can rise through ideas, service, character and impact, rather than wealth or personal connections.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
