Abraham Boadi, a prominent New Patriotic Party (NPP) member in the Ashanti Region, is sounding an alarm about the future of political loyalty. He believes that training and mobilizing young supporters isn’t enough to keep them committed to a party. Without tangible rewards like employment, Boadi warns that these young people may simply walk away.
The dynamic of political allegiance is often more transactional than ideological, especially for those entering the workforce. Boadi argues that loyalty is frequently shaped by immediate opportunities rather than long-term party ties. When young activists spend years building a party’s foundation, they expect a pathway to professional stability in return.
To illustrate this point, Boadi noted that “nobody remembers the people who built them, but rather those who gave them jobs to do.” He pointed to the example of John Kuma, stating that while Kuma was trained by Alan Kyeremanten, his allegiance shifted to former president Akufo-Addo because of a political appointment. He cautioned that “if we do not get jobs for the youth we have trained, and another party gives them jobs, they will forget us.”
This trend suggests a vulnerability in how political parties maintain their base. Boadi suggests that party leaders should use their own resources to start businesses and create employment schemes for the youth. By doing so, the party can secure loyalty through economic empowerment rather than just political rhetoric.
Beyond just jobs, Boadi believes the NPP needs a fundamental refresh to stay sustainable. He argues that “the party needs a new face, new direction, and new people to implement new ideas,” which can only happen if the youth are integrated into leadership. This shift toward renewal is essential for the party to remain relevant to a changing electorate.
