Ashanti NDC Youth wing kicked against Executives factionalism to sideline hard work:

Mr Abraham Lincoln, the convener of a press conference of the Ashanti Regional Youth Wing of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed their renewed commitment to youth autonomy, ensuring that the Youth Wing operates without undue interference with rightful authority.

He disclosed that the issues not only threaten their cohesion but also challenge the very democratic values upon which the NDC stands.

The youth  extend their heartfelt congratulations to the First Gentleman of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for his unwavering dedication to youth empowerment and inclusive governance.

According to them, the President leadership and the appointment of dynamic young leaders reflect a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and the future of the nation.

Mr Lincoln indicated that as the Youth Wing of the Ashanti Region, they must remind the broader public that campaigning in the region as NDC Youth has often felt like leading troops through hostile territory.

He noted that despite limited resources and a complete lack of financial support from their regional executives, they pressed on village to village, door to door and did so at great personal cost, enduring threats and intimidation, yet remaining unwavering in their resolve.

He noted that their contributions have not merely been supportive, they have been foundational, through grassroots outreach, self-financed mobilization courageous public engagement, and played a pivotal role in revitalizing the NDC’s presence in a historically challenging political landscape, which is not just their work, also  investment in the democracy they cherish.

According to him, in light of the efforts, they expected fair and respectful recognition from their regional Executives, particularly by allowing the Regional Youth Organizer and the Regional Chairman the authority to make youth-focused institutional appointments.

He stressed that unfortunately, what they have encountered is a hijacking of these opportunities by individuals who justify their exclusionary tactics with the excuse that they are not affiliated with any particular “CAMP.”

He revealed that approximately three weeks ago, the youth formally petitioned the Regional Minister to respect the Youth Organiser’s mandate and approve the name submitted without ambiguity or interference, regrettably, no response has been received to date, and actions on the ground suggest a continued effort to side-line hardworking and loyal youth members.

He disclosed that only unity, shared struggle, and a common purpose is both disheartening and unjust that those who once benefited from their collective labour now use factional lines to marginalize them.

He reiterated that the most painful betrayal came when their formal petition submitted to the Regional Minister and Regional Chairman was dismissed without engagement.

This he said was not only a disregard for process but a clear signal that the Youth Wing’s voice is being muted, our contributions overlooked, and aspirations deemed irrelevant.

He stated that the youth are also responding to widespread concerns regarding the influence of Mr  George Opare-Addo, Madam Betty Mould-Iddrissu, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, in dictating youth appointments within the region, says while they respect their contributions to the party, they are troubled by increasing reports that appointment decisions are being made solely to favour individuals within their inner circles effectively side-lining hardworking, deserving youth who led from the front lines during the campaign.

Following the party’s electoral victory, it was explicitly promised that every ` Youth Organizer across the various constituencies would be appointed as a YEA District Director. This commitment served as a powerful source of motivation, inspiring us to dedicate ourselves fully to the campaign often under difficult and unrewarded conditions all in pursuit of the party’s success.  However, after we faithfully submitted our credentials as instructed, we were dismayed to discover that the list of names had been altered without any explanation.

The positions that were promised to us were instead awarded to Constituency Secretaries and unknown individuals who were not part of the original agreement and who played no active role in the youth mobilization efforts.

This action constitutes a serious betrayal of the trust we placed in the leadership. It undermines not only the morale of the youth who worked tirelessly but also the integrity and fairness that should govern all party appointments. We therefore call on the Regional Minister to publicly address these troubling allegations and provide clarity on the rationale behind this disappointing decision.

Furthermore, we wish to strongly emphasize that youth appointments must be managed by the appropriate youth structures of the party. Any external interference in this process risks demoralizing the youth base and jeopardizing the unity and cohesion within the party. The time has come for our voices to be heard, our sacrifices acknowledged, and our rightful place within the party structure respected.

Let us make our position unequivocally clear: We, the Youth Wing, will not allow ourselves to be marginalized based on factional loyalties. We stand for merit, sacrifice, and service not “camp” affiliations or political opportunism.

We hereby demand the following:

Immediate reversal of discriminatory youth appointments and proper inclusion of Youth Wing leadership in relevant institutions.