The Northern Regional Chapter of Activista Ghana, the youth movement of ActionAid Ghana, has elected a new set of regional executives to steer the affairs of the group for the next two years.
The election, held as part of a Regional Congress in Tamale, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to harnessing youth power to advance social justice and build inclusive movements for sustainable development.
The Congress was organized with funding support from ActionAid Ghana on the theme: “Youth Power for Social Justice: Building Inclusive Movements for Change.”
It brought together former regional coordinators, district coordinators, delegates, development partners, media practitioners, and other stakeholders.
Mr Hamdan Amadu Wumpeka was elected as the Northern Regional Coordinator of Activista Ghana, leading a six-member executive team, one of which remains vacant after the position was not contested and is yet to be filled.
The other elected executives are Mr Hamza Sulemana, Administrator/Secretary; Mr Seidu Zakiu, Finance Officer/Treasurer; Mr Nyadia Hamza, Programs Lead; and Ms Aisha Mohammed, Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the new executives, Mr Wumpeka expressed gratitude to the delegates for the confidence reposed in them and commended ActionAid Ghana, particularly its regional officers, for their continuous leadership and support to the youth movement.
He said the new executives were deeply conscious of the responsibility entrusted to them, explaining that their activism was shaped by the lived realities of rural communities, the aspirations of young people and the collective hope for a more just and equitable society.
“Today, those stories, dreams and hopes have converged here, and we are humbled beyond words to be elected as your Regional Executives,” he stated.
Mr Wumpeka emphasized the importance of partnership and collective action, urging members and partners to see the victory not as an individual achievement, but as a shared triumph of many voices calling for justice, change and stronger collaboration.
He outlined key priority areas for the new administration, including amplifying the voices of marginalized communities across the region, championing climate justice initiatives to protect lands and livelihoods, investing in youth leadership development, and strengthening collaboration across districts to ensure a united and resilient Northern Region.
“We pledge to serve with humility, transparency and integrity, and to keep the fire of activism burning bright in every corner of our region,” he said.
Madam Blessila Na-Afoe Kandoh, a development practitioner and youth advocate, delivering a keynote address, called on young people to move beyond rhetoric and actively organize for inclusive social change.
She underscored the role of youth in challenging inequality, promoting accountability and ensuring that development processes were people-centred, particularly for women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Madam Kandoh encouraged Activista members to adopt intersectional approaches to activism and to build broad alliances that reflected the diversity of voices within society.
