The Director of Elections of the National Democratic Congress, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah has in his usual charismatic style inspired TEIN members at the Kumasi Technical University.
This was during the orientation and induction ceremony for level 100 students. The NDC has an annual tradition of orientating the fresh students and preparing them to be effective members.
Setting the tone for what the fresh students would later describe as the best paradigm-shifting presentation they have seen in their fledgling political life, Mr Afriyie-Ankrah urged the fresh students to have confidence in their party considering the political antecedents of their party vis-à-vis that of their opponents.
He also explained to them the need for them not to be hoodwinked by their opponents because members of the NPP were only puffed up without substance.
Another reason the Director of Elections mentioned in convincing his audience to be proud of their party was that the NDC is known to give more opportunities to young people.
Explaining further, he said former President Rawlings who was 33 years when he became the Head of State had a lot of young people in his government including Totobi Quakye, who was a Minister at the age of 24 years. Other prominent members he referenced include P. V. Obeng, Ato Austin and Joyce Aryee who all served in the first NDC government.
Under subsequent NDC governments, Mr Afriyie Ankrah said young folks inclduing Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, Ofosu-Kwakye, George Opare Addo (Pablo) among others were given an opprotuinity to serve in government. This, he noted was a clear indication that the TEIN members were potential Ministers or deputies, MMDCEs or Chief Executive Officers.
Touting the NDC’s democratic credetials and fight against corruption which he claimed to be superior to their opponents, he said the Corruption Perception Index under the NDC which was 43 is the best performance of President Akufo-Addo
Urging them to build their confidence and position them for the tasks ahead of the 2024 polls, Mr Afriyie Ankrah stressed that their confidence must not be “baseless or puffed up like members of the NPP but must be on the basis of tangible, verifiable facts.
“It is not enough to be there dreaming that your party will come to power because NDC gives opportunities to the youth”, he stated, adding that “you must work hard while taking some free online courses to make you a better candidate so that when opportunities arise, you will be prepared to take advantage of them.”
He reminded them that apart from Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the only party that has built Ghana with tangible results was the NDC.