…Youth Age Limit Vetoed to Secure Victory at Primaries.
Decision to keep 40-year age cap on youth wing seen as part of a grand scheme to protect existing power structures and consolidate influence for former Vice President.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has shamelessly prioritised self-interest over the collective good of its members.
In a shocking display of disregard for generational change, delegates at the party’s National Delegates Conference on Saturday overwhelmingly rejected a motion to redefine the age limit for its youth wing, effectively killing a chance for a new generation to rise.
The deafening “NO” from delegates at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium to Motion 54 was a clear signal: the old guard is not ready to let go.
This move, which maintains the definition of a youth at up to 40 years old, is widely seen as a calculated part of a broader strategy to protect the failed leadership of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The rejection of this amendment, like several others, is a transparent attempt to centralise power and remove any potential rivals in the lead-up to the January presidential primaries.
By protecting the status quo, the party’s elite are ensuring that key positions remain in the hands of those loyal to the Bawumia faction.
One of the most vocal opponents of the motion was the current National Youth Organizer, Salam Mustapha.
His opposition was rooted in a personal fear of losing his position, openly admitting the amendment would have disqualified him from seeking re-election.
His self-serving argument that “age does not automatically disqualify someone from effectively mobilizing the youth” rings hollow, revealing a stark contrast between personal ambition and party principles.
Despite compelling arguments from the Constitutional Amendment Committee, citing international standards from the UN to the African Youth Charter, the delegates remained unmoved.
The sheer volume of dissenting voices made it clear that the principles of fairness and inclusion were no match for the desire to maintain power.
The NPP’s conference, held under the guise of “Rebuilding Together with our Values,” has exposed a deep-seated rot. Instead of a genuine effort at reform, it appears to be a stage for a backroom deal to secure Dr. Bawumia’s nomination without a contest.
By clinging to an outdated definition of youth, the party has betrayed its younger members and shown that merit and ability are secondary to loyalty and political convenience.
The message to the youth is clear and brutal: your future is on hold until those in power are ready to hand it over. The NPP has thrown its youth under the bus to consolidate power for a failed leader.
By Emmanuella Dzifa Quarshie