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Abanga To Empower And influence Grassroot As The Next NPP National Youth Organizer

WHO IS ABANGA?

“I am not promising to solve every problem of the youth. I cannot do and I will resist the temptation to make such promises. What I am saying is that, not only am I going to identify the problems of the youth but we are going to confront and address the basic and major challenges of the youth. And this I cannot do alone. So if there is ever a time in our history as young people that we would have to join hands and address our own problems, then the time is now”

- Abanga Fuseini Yakubu
The undercurrents towards the election of the next National Youth Organiser of the NPP has just started. Presently, the name on the lips of young party activists is NPP Abanga. The young, energetic, strategic, serene, and linguistically-lively Abanga comes to the position with vast experience in grassroots mobilization.

So who is Abanga?
Background
Abanga Fuseini Yakubu (popularly called NPP Abanga) was born in Boinsu, Enchi, in the newly created Western North Region to peasant farmers. His life cuts across regions and languages. He lived in the Western, Bono, Central,
Upper East and the Greater Accra regions and immersed himself in the socio-cultural activities of these regions. With his mother born in Kumasi, and his grandmother living there, Abanga lived in the Ashanti Region from childhood
till his formative years. He lived in popular towns like Fufuo, Enfansi, Boukrom and he enjoyed the communal life rife in the region.

Education
Abanga began his education at the Boinsu King of Kings Preparatory and Junior High School. With the understanding that education is the only vehicle to improve himself and change the circumstances of his family and community, he
proceeded to the Okomfo Anokye Senior High School in Wiamoase in the Ashanti Region. In 2014, Abanga gained admission to read Political Science and Archaeology at the University of Ghana – a place where he learnt for a degree
but also carved his niche in politics and people.

The TESCON Train
Abanga was a Representative of Jubilee Hall on the University campus. While in Level 100, he contested for the position of Tescon Organiser and won. Similarly, in 2015, Abanga contested the position of Tescon President, but his
candidature suffered a setback. In the process of resolving that setback, he met with the then NPP National Organiser, John Boadu, who took him under his wings – training him to become the mobilizer he is today. Due to his commitment to the party and activism for the NPP on campus, he earned the name NPP Abanga – a name that would follow him to this day.

Man of Mobilisation
At the student level, Abanga was an effective organizer. The youth leadership under Sammi Awuku would come to rely on Abanga to mobilise students for the party’s fieldwork and for demonstrations. Abanga marshalled students for the popular, crowd-pulling demonstration dubbed “The Dumsor Vigil” to decry the incessant power cuts under the John
Mahama government. He also effectively mobilized for the LET MY VOTE COUNT (LMVC) demonstrations against the bloated register prior to the 2016 elections which eventually brought President Akufo-Addo to power.

Abanga also mobilized students and residents in Greater Accra for the famous “Won Gbo” (we are dying) demonstration to called to bring attention to the high cost of living and the penchant for the John Mahama government to excessively tax the already burdened citizens. His favourite has been mobilising people in villages, cities and hamlets for elections. Abanga was a member of the NPP Western North Regional Campaign team. With just a few months to campaign ahead of the parliamentary primaries in the Aowin constituency, he pulled 304 votes with the eventual winner, a serial contender, pulling 315. This goes to show the depth of his popularity and organizational skills.

Abanga also played a pivotal role during the work of the presidential committee set-up by President Akufo-Addo to create new regions. He campaigned vigorously across the length and breadth of what is today the Western North Region during the referendum – earning him the tag “the voice of the grassroots” Believe in NPP As a passionate student of the political history of Ghana, Abanga learnt about the struggle of the UGCC to achieve independence for the Gold Coast. He learnt about the activities of the ‘Big Six’ and the progress Ghana chalked under Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia. He read about the courage and efforts of personalities in the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition during the military regime of the late Jerry John Rawlings for the democratization process and the rule of law in Ghana. Abanga believed that the NPP is the “birther of freedom” and the best platform to achieve development. As someone who believes in democracy, development and prosperity for the broad masses of the Ghanaian people, he identified the NPP as best placed to lift people and communities out of poverty and shape their future.

It is for the reasons above that he has been committed to the NPP. It is because of this believe that since 2014, at the start of his tertiary education, he has committed himself to grassroots mobilization and youth development. As someone from a humble background, he acknowledges that access to free education, free healthcare, agricultural policies, infrastructural development and the investment in human security need to be deepened and widened for
everyone Ghanaian.

A Vivacious Vision
Abanga believes in the devolution of power and influence to the base of the party. He understands that the grassroots and young people are the nerve of the party and they need a leader who would tap into their potential. He acknowledges that opportunities should be shared and people should be supported to achieve their potential – to benefit the party too. He believes in training and allocating resources to party workers so that they can provide
effective lifelong services. Ultimately, he believes that mobilizing all the various sectors of the Ghanaian society, the NPP can break the two-term cycle of the Ghanaian political System.

Obia B3 Didi Explained
The slogan Obia B3 Didi (Everyone will have a share) is a reflection of the man Abanga: caring, compassionate, considerate and collective-spirited. He holds the strong conviction that scholarships, business opportunities, public sector employment, travelling opportunities, welfare grants, should trickle down to the last person. He understands there is joy in sharing; peace is an end product of equal treatment. He believes we rise together when we share.
Attributes Abanga has a unique human relation honed over the years. He recognises that placing people at the centre of one’s life or a group’s culture is rewarding. This is why he is humble. He listens. He clarifies. He accepts superior arguments. He works with everyone. Abanga believes in hardwork and it is a trait that leading members of the NPP –
Sammi Awuku, Dr. Dominic Eduah, Nana B – can attest to. He loves to work on the field, breaking new grounds and travelling to the hinterlands to organize for the party.

Abanga also believes in sacrifices. While in the university, he sacrificed his time and forfeited a few of his examination in order to travel with the National

Youth Organiser at the time – Sammi Awuku – to campaign in places hard to access. He is committed to broadening the frontiers and the base of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition and making the policies of the NPP impact the lives of people everywhere and anywhere. Abanga energises the youth base. His multilingual abilities (he speaks
impeccable …………………………………) and appreciation of the social, cultural and political demography of Ghana are his exceedingly delightful gifts for party mobilization.