Stephen Nhira Odarteifio has officially declared his intention to contest for the position of National Youth Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), promising to transform the party’s youth wing into a vehicle for economic empowerment, job creation and skills development for young Ghanaians.
Launching his campaign in Accra, Odarteifio said the NDC youth wing must move beyond election-time mobilization and focus on creating sustainable opportunities that improve the livelihoods of young people across the country.
He said political participation must translate into tangible benefits through access to employment, entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, vocational training and financial support.
“I want a youth wing that knows how to mobilize young people between elections,” he said. “Economic freedom is just as important as political power. We must create pathways that connect young people to opportunities that can transform their lives.”
The aspiring National Youth Organizer said his vision is rooted in the NDC’s principles of opportunity, dignity and social justice, adding that leadership within the party should be based on service, ideas and impact rather than wealth or popularity.
According to him, government programmes such as the Ejumara Initiative, the National Apprenticeship Programme and the One Million Coders Programme offer significant opportunities for young people but remain inaccessible to many due to information and implementation gaps.
He pledged to work with party structures and government agencies to ensure more young people benefit from such interventions.
Economic empowerment at the centre
Odarteifio said economic empowerment would be a central pillar of his leadership, stressing that the NDC must demonstrate its commitment to young people through practical interventions that improve lives and create jobs.
He outlined plans to support entrepreneurship, expand access to capital, promote innovation and develop productive agricultural enclaves capable of creating thousands of jobs for the youth.
“Our young people must see practical benefits from their participation in national development. The future of youth engagement lies in creating opportunities that empower them economically,” he stated.
Calls for irrigation revolution in Northern Ghana
A major component of Odarteifio’s agenda is a call for large-scale investment in irrigation infrastructure in Northern Ghana to support year-round farming and boost youth employment.
Speaking at a Youth Leadership and Economic Empowerment meeting, he said millions of farmers in northern Ghana continue to depend on seasonal rainfall, limiting productivity and forcing many young people to migrate to southern cities in search of jobs during the dry season.
He argued that addressing the irrigation challenge could transform livelihoods and significantly increase incomes across the region.
“If we solve the irrigation problem in the north, three million young people will double their incomes,” he said.
According to him, year-round farming would not only increase agricultural output but also stimulate local economies, strengthen food security and reduce rural-to-urban migration.
Odarteifio pledged to champion the cause with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, describing irrigation development as one of the most effective tools for creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
Highlights track record
Making a case for his candidacy, Odarteifio pointed to what he described as a long record of youth-centred interventions in education, agriculture and community development.
He cited the transformation of a deteriorating public school in Accra and agricultural initiatives that he said have positively impacted more than 100,000 young people.
He also highlighted programmes that provided equipment to farmers, supported women agro-processors in Northern Ghana and encouraged local production of agricultural machinery.
According to him, these initiatives demonstrate his ability to turn ideas into practical solutions that deliver measurable results.
Appeals to grassroots supporters
Odarteifio used the occasion to appeal to unemployed graduates, young entrepreneurs, constituency organizers and party foot soldiers, assuring them that his campaign seeks to create opportunities for those who often feel marginalized within political structures.
He stressed that leadership opportunities within the NDC should be accessible to dedicated and capable individuals regardless of their financial status.
Invoking the examples of Ghana’s founding leaders and historic figures such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Yaa Asantewaa, he called on the party to continue nurturing grassroots leadership.
“Readiness for leadership should be measured by service, character and impact, not by financial connections,” he said.
Officially announcing his candidacy, Odarteifio expressed confidence in the abilities of Ghana’s youth and said he was entering the race with humility, determination and a commitment to service.
He maintained that empowering young people economically would strengthen the NDC’s long-term relationship with the youth and help build a more prosperous future for Ghana.
His campaign is expected to add momentum to the contest for the influential National Youth Organizer position as the party prepares for its internal elections.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo.
