Okai Mintah Earns Appointment to African Youth in Politics Forum Steering Committee
Chairperson of the Youth Working Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Okai Mintah, has been appointed as a member of the Steering Committee of the African Youth in Politics Forum (AYPF) for the 2027–2030 term.
The appointment, announced by the Africa Governance Centre (AGC) in a press statement dated November 7, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, places Mr Mintah among a group of political leaders, youth representatives, policymakers and governance practitioners selected from across the African continent to provide strategic direction to the Forum.
The appointment comes at a significant moment in Mr Mintah’s political career, as he is also seeking to become the next National Youth Organiser of the NDC. His bid reflects his ambition to play a greater role in shaping youth leadership, political organisation and participation, both within the NDC and at the continental level.
His appointment also presents an opportunity for Ghana to contribute to continental conversations on youth political participation, leadership development and democratic governance, while recognising the role of the NDC’s youth leadership in advancing young people’s representation in political decision-making.
The newly constituted Steering Committee emerged following the successful convening of the African Youth in Politics Forum, held alongside the 2026 African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa.
For the 2027–2030 term, the Committee is expected to guide the institutional development of the Forum and advance its continental agenda of promoting meaningful youth participation in political leadership.
Its priorities include strengthening youth representation within political parties, promoting intergenerational political dialogue, supporting leadership development and translating the Forum’s recommendations into practical policy and institutional reforms.
The Committee will also address persistent structural barriers confronting young people seeking political leadership, particularly the rising cost of political participation, limited youth representation in party decision-making structures and the disconnect between young people’s aspirations and democratic outcomes.
Mr Mintah’s appointment places him alongside representatives from Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Cameroon, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Algeria.
The Africa Governance Centre has emphasised that Africa’s democratic transformation requires more than recognising young people as future leaders; it requires their meaningful inclusion in the institutions and decisions shaping the continent today.
As he takes up this continental responsibility, Mr Mintah is expected to contribute to strengthening the voice and representation of young Africans in political processes, while bringing Ghana’s experience and perspectives into broader discussions on democratic inclusion and youth leadership across Africa.
The Steering Committee will serve a four-year term from 2027 to 2030.
