TESCON must become NPP's policy think tank, not just campus mobiliser — Asenso-Boakye

The Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), the New Patriotic Party's student organisation, should transform itself into a serious policy research and leadership development hub rather than remaining primarily a campus mobilisation tool, according to Francis Asenso-Boakye, the organisation's founding president and Member of Parliament for Bantama.

Speaking to TESCON's newly appointed national executives during a visit from the NPP National Youth Organiser Abanga Fuseni, Asenso-Boakye challenged the student leaders to harness the intellectual resources available across Ghana's tertiary institutions to generate original policy ideas, critically examine government policies, and help shape the NPP's approach to the country's major development challenges.

The call represents a significant shift in how student political organisations might operate in Ghana. Rather than limiting their activities to organising rallies and mobilising student voters during elections, Asenso-Boakye envisioned TESCON as a platform where students engage in rigorous debate, conduct research, and develop practical policy proposals on issues affecting ordinary Ghanaians.

From campus politics to national policy influence

Asenso-Boakye highlighted the underutilised potential of Ghana's universities and tertiary institutions, which house considerable academic expertise and research capacity. He argued that TESCON could serve as a bridge between this intellectual resource and the NPP's policy development process.

The MP proposed that TESCON organise research initiatives, policy forums, structured debates, and intellectual exchanges focused on critical national issues including education reform, youth employment, entrepreneurship support, economic management, and broader development priorities.

Beyond generating ideas, Asenso-Boakye stressed that TESCON should serve as a genuine communication channel between student constituencies and the NPP's upper leadership. He emphasised that political parties need honest feedback and evidence-based criticism to remain responsive and effective—a role student organisations are uniquely positioned to fulfil by articulating the concerns, expectations and aspirations of younger Ghanaians.

A track record of producing leaders

Asenso-Boakye pointed to TESCON's historical success in identifying and nurturing political talent. He cited numerous alumni who had risen to prominent positions, including NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, party Second Vice Chairman Henry Nana Boakye, and multiple members of Parliament such as Kwame Appiah-Koduah, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, and Stephen Amoah.

Former government ministers including Isaac Kwame Asiamah had also passed through TESCON's ranks, as have various chief executives and public officials now serving in senior roles. This pattern, he suggested, demonstrated the organisation's potential to identify and prepare individuals capable of assuming responsibility at the highest levels of public service.

The new TESCON leadership, Asenso-Boakye argued, bears responsibility for sustaining and strengthening this tradition by developing structured leadership development programmes that would equip students not merely for party positions but for broader contributions to Ghana's public sector and governance.

Why it matters for Ghana

Student political organisations in Ghana have historically focused primarily on campus-level activism and voter mobilisation. Asenso-Boakye's vision suggests a different role—one where institutions like TESCON could contribute to raising the quality of policy debate within political parties and the nation more broadly.

If successfully implemented, this approach could mean that future government policies affecting education, employment, and economic development receive more rigorous scrutiny and input from Ghana's intellectual community before implementation. It also signals an expectation that political parties should create structured pathways for young talent to develop expertise and contribute meaningfully to national affairs.

However, Asenso-Boakye also sounded a note of caution. He urged the new executives to ensure that political engagement did not undermine their academic performance or personal integrity. He emphasised that an effective student political organisation should produce individuals distinguished by knowledge, discipline, and sound judgement—qualities essential for meaningful public service.

Asenso-Boakye pledged to offer mentorship and guidance to the new TESCON leadership as they work to implement these expanded programmes and strengthen the organisation's influence within the NPP.