Nurse Courage Babanawo wins Ketu South Deputy Youth Organiser seat in NDC race

Courage Babanawo, a registered nurse, has been elected Deputy Youth Organiser for the Ketu South Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winning a decisive mandate from party delegates in a closely contested race.

Babanawo polled 205 votes, representing approximately 72% of the total votes cast in the constituency executives' election. His opponent, Allah Thomas Kwame, received 80 votes, or 28% of the vote share, cementing a clear victory for the nursing professional.

A Message That Resonated

In remarks to Joy News following his election, Babanawo emphasised his commitment to expanding the party's youth mobilisation efforts at the grassroots level. He stressed that young party members form the "backbone and driving force" of the NDC, and indicated that strengthening this demographic would be central to his agenda in the role.

The newly elected Deputy Youth Organiser signalled confidence that sustained investment in youth engagement and party structure-building would yield tangible results in the 2028 general election. His platform appears to have focused on practical grassroots organising rather than abstract promises, earning him broad support from delegates who voted in the constituency poll.

Babanawo pledged to collaborate closely with party leadership and other executives to foster unity across all party levels and to deepen youth participation in NDC activities. He committed to serving "with loyalty, discipline, humility, and dedication", framing his election as a mandate to work alongside all stakeholders in advancing the party's interests.

Track Record in Party and Education Sector

Babanawo brings substantial experience in both healthcare and party organising to the Deputy Youth Organiser post. His background includes service as Deputy Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) Organiser and TEIN President at Tamale Nursing and Midwifery Training College, roles that positioned him within tertiary institution leadership structures.

At the constituency and regional level, he has held several positions including Communications Officer at Wuduoba LA Primary branch, member of the Ketu South Constituency Communications Committee, and member of the Special Operations Committee (Youth Wing) under the Ketu South NDC. Most recently, he served as a member of the Communications Team for the Volta Region branch.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Local constituency elections within major political parties are the foundation upon which national party machinery operates. The NDC's youth organiser posts are particularly significant because young members form the core of on-the-ground campaign activity during general elections, which Ghana will hold in 2028.

Babanawo's election reflects broader NDC efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity following the 2024 general election. His nursing background also underscores how professionals from different sectors engage in partisan politics and party administration in Ghana. The emphasis on grassroots mobilisation and youth empowerment signals how the NDC intends to rebuild and energise its voter base heading into the next electoral cycle.

The Ketu South Constituency, located in the Volta Region, represents a key political battleground in Ghana's electoral landscape, making local leadership decisions in the area of national importance to opposition politics.