The youth wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken up the challenge to build an autonomous body to mobile support for the party and also serve as the training ground for future leaders of the party. Besides, the NDC is positioning itself to build an army of well-educated, adequately informed and well-prepared youth to disseminate the policies and programmes of the Mills administration, as well as research into other issues for the growth of the party. Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra, the National Youth Organizer of the party, Mr Ludwig Hlodze, said the move was in fulfillment of the party’s new policy of making the youth and the women’s wings autonomous and more effective. He said as part of the new policy, the youth wing would own its national headquarters with a fully furnished secretariat, research department, among other offices. Mr Hlodze said the wing would also own and operate its separate budget, adding that youth wing offices would be opened in all the 10 regional capitals to help co-ordinate the affairs of the youth. “We are aiming at building an effective, efficient and well-resourced youth division comparable to the African National Congress (ANC) youth wing,” Mr Hlodze added. He stated that as part of the initial measures for a proper take-off, the youth wing would hold a national summit at the Volta Regional capital, Ho, from March 18 to 21, 2010 to deliberate on how to strategically position the wing in its new position as an autonomous body. As part of the summit, all youth ministers, former National Youth Organisers and their deputies, some key sector ministers, current and former leaders of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN), as well as all regional youth organizers, would brainstorm on the way forward for the youth of the NDC. “We will draw up a strategic plan that would guide the youth wing of the party in the coming years. This will position the national, regional, constituency and branch members to better help explain and execute the better Ghana agenda,” he added. Topics to be discussed include “the NDC Manifesto,” “How young people can make agriculture a focal point for food security” and “How to blend politics with academics.” Mr Hlodze paid tribute to his predecessor, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, who is also the Minister of Communication, for his sterling leadership qualities that helped in leading the youth in the party to mobilize support, guard the ballots and ensure that the NDC moved from opposition to form government. “Mr Haruna managed the youth under very difficult situations when we were in opposition, especially during a period that organizing programmes was not easy. He showed the way and his direction to the youth helped the NDC in a great deal to win the 2008 election,” he said. Mr Hlodze said his aim as the youth organizer was to work assiduously to build on the successes of his predecessor to ensure that the NDC increased its majority in Parliament, as well as the margin for the presidential candidate in 2012. Mr Hlodze gave the assurance that there would be no room for complacency and that the youth would not wait till the election period before it put its campaign machinery into top gear. Mr Hlodze also gave the assurance that President J.E.A Mills and his administration were working around the clock to ensure that the bad nature of the economy it inherited from the Kufuor Administration was put in a good shape for a proper take-off. He reiterated the President’s declaration that this year was a year of action and said more employment opportunities would be created for the youth of the country. Mr Hlodze reminded the youth of President Mills’ directive in his State of the Nation address to ministries to identify job openings in their sectors. He appealed to the youth to take advantage of the opportunities and support the Mills administration. Source: Daily Graphic/Ghana