Basiera Saankara Files to Contest NDC National Youth Organiser Post

Basiera Saankara, who previously served as Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Wa West Constituency, has submitted his nomination forms to run for the party's National Youth Organiser position.

Addressing journalists after the filing, as first reported by Citi News, Mr Saankara said his central goal was a youth wing able to raise its own money to pay for its work. He said this would be achieved through a programme he has named the Green Harvest Initiative.

Under the plan, he explained, youth wings throughout Ghana would be encouraged to take up productive ventures and use the proceeds to support their programmes.

"I am here to lead an army that will be ready to march in 2028," Mr Saankara said, describing the next general election as an effort to renew the party's mandate.

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He explained that by a self-funding wing, he meant one capable of carrying out its own activities without depending on others for resources.

Link to government farming programmes

Mr Saankara suggested that the youth wing should take an active part in the government's agricultural schemes, naming Nkoko Nkitinkiti and Feed Ghana, as a way of building its financial independence.

He argued that since the party had introduced these programmes, its youth wing, which he described as the party's strongest unit, ought to be visible in them. According to him, the Green Harvest Initiative would push youth groups across the country into farming activities and help the party become more self-sufficient.

"The Green Harvest is to encourage all youth wings," he said.

Proposed leadership fellowship

The aspirant also proposed setting up a John Mahama Young Leadership Fellowship. He said the fellowship would be used to spot, mentor and train future leaders within the NDC.

Mr Saankara said the scheme would bring structure to leadership development so that the rise of new leaders in the party happens by design rather than by chance.

He pointed to the political career of President John Dramani Mahama, including his return to the presidency after two consecutive election defeats, as the kind of experience from which young people in the party could draw lessons.

Mr Saankara said the party could not simply hope that Bole would soon produce another John Mahama, or that another figure like Okudzeto Ablakwa would emerge on their own.

"We must be intentional about growing leaders," he said.

Mr Saankara joins the race as the NDC prepares for its national polls to elect officers.