Steven Nhyira Odarteifio has declared his intention to contest for the position of National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with a pledge to make economic empowerment and access to opportunities central to the work of the party’s youth wing.
Mr Odarteifio made the declaration at a press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Monday, September 14, 2026.
His campaign is centred on what he describes as economic mobilisation, with a focus on connecting young people to jobs, capital, skills, enterprise, agriculture, technology and markets.
Mr Odarteifio said his decision to contest was influenced by what he described as a responsibility to millions of young Ghanaians who placed their confidence in President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC at the 2024 general election.
He said the expectations of young people should be matched with practical access to opportunities created through government programmes.
He pointed to initiatives including the Adwumawura Programme, the National Apprenticeship Programme and the One Million Coders Programme, saying the NDC Youth Wing must play a stronger role in ensuring that young people are able to access such interventions.
According to him, political mobilisation should extend beyond election periods, with the youth wing serving as a link between government programmes and the young people they are intended to benefit.
He proposed a youth wing that would focus on economic freedom while reaching beyond established party structures to engage young Ghanaians who may not necessarily hold NDC membership cards.
Focus on agriculture
Agriculture forms a major part of Mr Odarteifio’s proposed agenda, particularly the development of irrigation infrastructure in Northern Ghana.
He has proposed the establishment of a dedicated irrigation fund to support year-round farming and improve incomes for young farmers in the northern part of the country.
He argues that the dependence on seasonal farming contributes to rural-urban migration, as young people leave farming communities after the major farming season in search of alternative sources of income.
Mr Odarteifio says addressing the irrigation deficit could allow farmers to cultivate throughout the year, create additional employment and reduce migration from rural communities to cities.
His agricultural agenda also includes support for agricultural economic enclaves, equipment deployment, local manufacturing of farm machinery, women processors and young farmers.
Experience in development and youth empowerment
Mr Odarteifio is presenting his professional experience in agribusiness, development finance, food systems and youth development as part of his case for the position.
His work has included engagements with the Ministry of Finance, the Millennium Development Authority and the United Nations World Food Programme in Ghana. He has also worked in investment banking and management consulting.
He says his interventions in agriculture, enterprise and youth development have helped create opportunities and improve livelihoods for more than 100,000 young people across the country.
He has also cited his involvement in agricultural economic enclaves, agricultural equipment deployment, support for local manufacturers of agricultural machinery and efforts to strengthen agricultural education.
Mr Odarteifio says these experiences have shaped his approach to youth empowerment and informed his belief that young people require practical economic opportunities alongside political participation.
Leadership beyond party positions
The aspirant also addressed concerns about his limited experience in holding formal organising positions within the NDC Youth Wing.
He argued that leadership should be assessed by a person’s ideas, service, character, impact and ability to deliver rather than solely by the positions previously held within the party.
He drew parallels with historical figures including Kwame Nkrumah, Yaa Asantewaa and Jerry John Rawlings, citing their ability to organise and mobilise people despite unconventional paths to leadership.
Mr Odarteifio said his objective is to help the NDC Youth Wing economically impact at least one million additional young people before the end of the Mahama administration.
He also wants the youth wing to contribute to strengthening the party’s grassroots structures while helping young people gain access to opportunities in agriculture, enterprise, technology and other sectors.
Mr Odarteifio joins the contest for the NDC National Youth Organiser position as the party prepares for its Youth Wing elections. Incumbent National Youth Organiser George Opare Addo is among the aspirants seeking the position.
