The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is facing intense backlash from its youth wing, TESCON, after Abankwah Kwabena Yeboah, a former National Treasurer and protégé of Nana Akufo-Addo, made derogatory comments about young party members. Yeboah claimed that TESCON members were “useless” in elections and too inexperienced to contribute to the party’s campaign efforts.
This elitist rant sparked outrage among TESCON members, who swiftly responded with a scathing rebuke. The University of Ghana Accra City Campus TESCON Secretary, Zibero William Nelson, and the Accra Technical University TESCON President, Adjetey Joseph Adjei, demanded an immediate apology from Yeboah, emphasizing that TESCON members are “sharp, dedicated, and politically astute” [1).
The controversy highlights the NPP’s struggles to connect with young voters, who form the majority of the electorate. Instead of addressing the party’s internal issues, such as economic suffering, internal chaos, and leadership incompetence, Yeboah shifted the blame onto the youth. This approach has been widely criticized as reckless, divisive, and outdated.
TESCON’s strong response underscores the growing frustration among young party members, who feel marginalized and dismissed by the NPP’s old guard. The youth wing’s warning to Yeboah – retract his statement or face the consequences – marks a turning point in the party’s internal dynamics.
As the NPP grapples with its devastating defeat in the 2024 elections, it must confront the hard truth about its failures. The party’s National Council has assembled a fact-finding committee, led by Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye, to investigate the reasons behind the loss. However, if the NPP continues to disregard the concerns and contributions of its youth, it risks alienating its most vital constituency.
The TESCON debacle serves as a wake-up call for the NPP to reexamine its approach to youth engagement and empowerment. By embracing the energy, creativity, and passion of its young members, the party can begin to rebuild and reclaim its lost ground. The question remains: will the NPP heed TESCON’s warning and revolutionize its youth strategy, or will it continue down the path of elitist arrogance and decline?
