Diaspora News of Thursday, 3 September 2015

Source: NPP-USA Public Relations Committee

NPP International Youth Conference in the USA.

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The first ever NPP International Youth Conference came off under the sponsorship of NPP-USA in New York City on the 28-30 August 2015, to the excitement of the NPP-USA fraternity. This has been a dream come true for the branch, which has had this idea for some years now.

Thursday the 27th August saw the arrival of guests to the Hilton Hotel JFK, New York. Among them were Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo), and Kamal Deen Abdulai, National Nasara Coordinator. Most delegates from far and near including China, Germany, United Kingdom, Ghana and Canada arrived on Friday, and spent that evening exchanging pleasantries and socializing.

As early as 8:30am on Saturday, delegates were seated and the atmosphere was charged for brainstorming and critical thinking towards 2016. The MC for the event, Kwame Agyeman-Budu called for prayers to launch the program. Dr. Akwasi Achampong, chairman of the NPP-USA, New York Chapter welcomed delegates to the conference, expressing how excited he and his chapter were to be holding this historic event. He underlined the need for the youth to rise up to the call of rescuing Ghana from the NDC, stressing "the future of a nation in danger is the youth in danger".

Thereafter, the NPP-USA Chairman, Nana Kwaku Agyei-Yeboah mounted the podium to give the opening address. He was optimistic that the event would serve as the platform that would energize the youth to go back to their various destinations, ready to liberate our country from the onslaught of corruption, incompetence, and lately, the attack on our electoral sovereignty by our neighboring countries.

Sammi Awuku, the National Youth Organizer extended greetings from Ghana to the delegates. He outlined why the youth will have to rise up and be counted in the march to save Ghana from its current socio-economic predicament. He said Ghanaians would not forgive the NPP if we should fail to heed their cry and work towards saving them.

The Nasara coordinator, Kamal Deen Abdulai, was on fire! He called on the youth to unite their front in order to present a formidable force of youthful energy that will vigorously canvass for votes and police them during the election. According to Kamal Deen, that unity remains a key factor to our electoral success in 2016.

Subsequently, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong and Hon. Titus Glover took turns to exhibit their firebrand traits. They did not mince words when they highlighted the need to provide resources to the NPP youth. In his turn, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh called for vigilance in the next election, indicating that that is the only way to prevent our votes from being stolen.

The keynote speaker for the occasion, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was brief, but poignant. He expressed his gratitude for the invitation to be part of this history-making occasion that brought NPP youth from all over the world onto one platform. Reserving his main address for the evening session of the program, the economic maestro stated that the current economic situation in Ghana is unacceptable, considering the amount of revenue that has been made available to the NDC government.

After the remarks by these speakers, the brainstorming session kicked off in earnest. Different panels comprising members of parliament, parliamentary candidates, and youth leaders from Ghana and the Diaspora, and others addressed various topics. Delegates shared their opinion on these topics, as the conference generated new ideas and suggestions that will advance the cause of NPP.

A dinner-dance in the evening showcased the keynote speaker, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who dazzled the audience with his keen intellectual analysis of Ghana's socio-economic mess. With a speech titled "Securing Our Future", he addressed the issue of the incurably flawed current voter register, and the threat it poses to the sovereignty of our nation.

The New Jersey Chapter of NPP-USA organized a BBQ as a send-off get-together for delegates who made it to this maiden historic conference.

The plan is to make this conference a bi-annual event, due to the success and productivity of this very one.