Disqualified New Patriotic Party (NPP) Upper East Regional Youth Organiser aspirant Samuel Akumbo has warned that imposing leaders instead of allowing competitive elections could undermine the party’s efforts to rebuild ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on DreamzFM monitored by BolgaFM, Akumbo said the youth wing required leaders who had earned the confidence of delegates through the ballot rather than emerging without a contest.
“We don’t need people operating the youth wing from afar. A youth leader should live with the people, understand their concerns and be present in their daily struggles,” he argued.
His comments follow the decision of the party’s Regional Elections Vetting Committee, which cleared incumbent Salahu-Deen Musah as the sole qualified aspirant after three other contenders were disqualified. The committee maintained that Musah met all constitutional requirements after withdrawing from the Regional Secretary race before filing for the Youth Organiser position.
He alleged that the process had protected one individual at the expense of internal democracy.
He maintained that a competitive election would have strengthened party unity rather than weakened it.
“If they believe he is popular, then let delegates decide,” he said.
Despite his criticism, he ruled out abandoning the party, saying his disagreement was with the process rather than the NPP itself.
“I will work for the party. My concern is that democracy should prevail,” he stressed.
He appealed to party leadership to prioritise transparent internal processes, arguing that grassroots confidence would be critical if the NPP hopes to regain power in 2028.
The Youth Organiser contest has generated significant discussion within the party following the committee’s decision to leave Musah unopposed.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com |102.7 MHz | Bolgatanga
