Mahamudu Bawumia has called on members of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) to prepare themselves for significant leadership positions ahead of the 2028 general elections, emphasizing that Ghana’s political future will be largely influenced by young people.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day leadership training programme in Accra under the 2026 Leadership Pipeline Initiative, the New Patriotic Party’s 2028 flagbearer said the party is deliberately investing in the youth to equip them for future leadership and governance roles.
“This training programme is for your benefit because we want the youth to take key leadership positions,” Dr Bawumia stated.
“We cannot expect you to occupy leadership positions if we do not prepare you adequately for those responsibilities,” he added.
He said the NPP is firmly committed to youth empowerment and succession planning, particularly at a time when young people are playing a dominant role in elections.
“The vote is largely youth-dominated. 2028, just like 2024, will be a youth-driven election,” he said.
Dr Bawumia added that the party intends to strengthen TESCON activities and expand student engagement across tertiary institutions nationwide as part of preparations for the next election cycle.
“We are going to make a lot more effort with TESCON this time around than we did in 2024,” he noted.
He also announced plans to personally visit campuses across the country to engage students and promote the NPP’s policies and ideas.
“You will see me on many campuses this year, next year, and in 2028. We will take the debate and our ideas to the people and make our case,” he said.
Amid chants of “TESCON! It is possible!” from students, Dr Bawumia expressed optimism about the NPP’s prospects in the next election, while stressing the importance of hard work, preparation, and unity.
“2028, Insha Allah, it is going to happen. It is possible,” he declared.
However, he cautioned supporters against complacency, emphasizing that victory would only come through sustained effort and commitment.
“We are not going to sit down and assume victory will come. We are going to work for it. That is why we are starting early,” he stressed.
He further urged TESCON members to remain strong in the face of political pressure and intimidation.
“We are saying that we will not be intimidated. You can arrest all of us, but we will return and continue to make our case to the people of Ghana,” he stated.
He ended by encouraging students to make full use of the leadership training programme to develop the skills needed to contribute to governance and national development.
