Some activists of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to give more youth the opportunity to serve in his administration.
This, they suggested, represents the surest way of guaranteeing the future and relevance of the NPP in Ghana’s democratic journey.
The NPP activists, in many social media posts, have pointed out that in the administration of President Akufo-Addo, from 2017 to 2020, several of his “class mates” from the government of President Kufuor found their names into his administration as either as Ministers of State, Board Chairpersons, or Chief Executive Officers.
They averred that having served eight years under President Kufuor, and four years under President Akufo-Addo, it is now time for the current President to do away with these oldies from the past, and give several youth in the party an opportunity to help grow the NPP.
A comment on Facebook by Tete Nokobi, questioned, “What legacy does the old man want to leave in the party? That he cared less about growth opportunities for the youth? If up to now some people like Kyerematen, Kan-Dapaah, Ambrose Dery, Kofi Ghana, K.K Sarpong et al cannot boast of replacements for their roles then that’s a failure for the party”.
Prof Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi 
Mr Kwamena Bartels 
Dr K. K. Sarpong
Another comment from Matin Sadick Jnr, added that “They (oldies) shouldn’t just give way, they should resign from ever accepting appointments and get a seat at the party’s council of elders auditorium and help shape the party for better!”
On his part, Thermo De Kardinal stressed that “It is long overdue, these old men continue to disappoint us…let’s give the youth more opportunities and we will certainly do much better….Time to retire the old..”
With President Akufo-Addo yet to appoint Deputy Ministers, Board Chairpersons and Board Members, Chief Executive Officers; Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), it remains to be seen if the appeal by NPP activists will be heeded to the Chief Executive of the land, whom many describe as a “listening President.”
THE CUSTODIAN has decided to reproduce in full, an article written by Mr. P.K. Sarpong, one of the many voices advocating a change in course by President Akufo-Addo.
MR. PRESIDENT, LET THE TIRED LIMBS REST
There’s this phraseology one quickly fell in love with back in the days as young boys and girls which read “The Young Shall Grow”.
It was very inspirational to many young people at the time and even today, it hasn’t lost its soothing effects on the young, up and coming ones.
The New Patriotic Party coming into office in the year 2001 saw the appointments of men and women who steered the affairs of the country. For eight years, these appointees served the country under the John Agyekum Kufuor administration in various capacities.
In 2008, the party exited office as the NDC took over the reins of power for eight years. The NPP came back to office upon winning the 2016 elections.
Though many Ghanaians believed at the time that the old guards had served the country for eight solid years and had to be made to sit outside for new people to be brought in, the President went ahead to appoint many of the people who worked with President John Agyekum Kufuor to man some ministries and other state agencies.
President Akufo-Addo, for good reasons, worked with them for four more years. We are in 2021, another four year term has begun and these old appointees are still lurking around the corridors of power?
This is demoralizing to the youth of the party. Mr. President should do away with these old guards by appointing new but youthful men and women into these positions.
It is time new energies, ideas and philosophies were injected into this administration by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as that is the only way the youth who have gone through the mill would have not only the opportunity to exhibit their innate talents and experiences but also serve as motivational emblems for their peers.
It must be emphasized that these old guards got appointed into office by President John Agyekum Kufuor at the same ages the youth of today in the party have attained, so it becomes strange that they are unwilling to give way to the new blood.
Twelve (12) years of serving as appointees are more than enough for anyone to impact positively on the growth and development of this country and, therefore, does not need to be given additional four years. The law of diminishing returns should act as a guide as we move forward.
In conclusion, we need new blood, new ideas, the youth to be integral parts of this administration. The old guards have played their roles. Politics, just like life, is a stage, you play your role, exit the scene and then others take over your role to exhibit what they also know or have learnt.
