UE/R : TJ Takes Chiana–Paga Experience to Upper East Deputy Youth Organiser Race

By – Sadat Dabo 

Tjamba Sampson, popularly known as TJ, is seeking to become the Deputy Upper East Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), promising to leverage his extensive grassroots political experience to build a united, disciplined and electorally prepared youth wing ahead of the 2028 general elections

The Chiana–Paga Constituency-based politician made the declaration in an interview on GBC URA Radio ahead of the party’s regional youth elections scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026

TJ, who has served as Constituency Youth Organiser of the NDC in Chiana–Paga since 2014, said his decision to contest was informed by years of political organisation, local governance experience and active participation in the party’s youth wing activities

He described himself as an experienced team player ready to work closely with whoever emerges as the Regional Youth Organiser to strengthen the party’s youth front across the Upper East Region

“I am contesting for the Deputy Regional Youth Organiser. It means I am going to work with my boss, and that is why I earlier indicated that I am a very good team player, a very effective team player who is coming on board to offer a lot of experience,” TJ stated

TJ Puts Grassroots Political Experience at the Centre of His Bid

Tracing his political journey, TJ said he began his involvement with the NDC in 2007 at the branch level in Gwenia, where he served as Branch Youth Organiser and later Branch Secretary

He subsequently became an Assembly Member for the Gwenia Electoral Area, serving from 2015 to 2023, before continuing his political leadership as Chiana–Paga Constituency Youth Organiser

His other party positions include membership of the Upper East Regional NDC Youth Wing’s Media and Publicity Committee from 2018 to 2022 and the Regional Youth Working Committee

TJ believes his experience at the branch, constituency and regional levels provides him with the necessary understanding of grassroots mobilisation and party administration to effectively support the regional youth leadership

Unity and Youth Welfare Feature Prominently in TJ’s Campaign

The aspirant has identified unity, reconciliation, harmonisation of interests and sustainable youth welfare as key priorities of his campaign

He said the diverse political views and interests of youth organisers across the region require leadership capable of bringing all stakeholders together around a common agenda

According to TJ, youth welfare must go beyond providing emergency assistance to party members in difficult situations

He argued that sustainable welfare should involve equipping young people with skills and employment opportunities that would enable them to become economically independent

He also pledged to collaborate with the regional leadership to pursue strategic engagements and opportunities at the regional and national levels for party supporters

Skills Training to Address Youth Unemployment

On youth unemployment, TJ advocated a stronger focus on skills training and self-employment opportunities, arguing that the region’s unemployment challenge cannot be addressed solely through conventional government employment

He said, if elected, he would work with the Regional Youth Organiser to develop training programmes that would equip young people with practical skills to establish their own businesses

“Together we will plan activities and trainings that will equip the youth to be able to get self-employment. In that case, we will to a large extent reduce youth unemployment in the Upper East Region,” he said

TJ maintained that while regular employment would remain part of his advocacy, skills development would offer opportunities to a greater number of young people

Community Engagement to Drive Development

TJ has also proposed a grassroots public engagement strategy to identify the pressing needs of communities across the Upper East Region

He said the youth wing could play a critical role in gathering information on community priorities and presenting them to the region’s 15 NDC Members of Parliament for possible interventions

He stressed that political leadership must first understand the needs of the people before proposing solutions

According to him, such engagements could help identify challenges relating to healthcare, potable water and other essential services, enabling MPs to make informed decisions on development interventions

He expressed optimism that a coordinated approach to community engagement would strengthen the relationship between the party and the electorate while improving the region’s development prospects

TJ Appeals to Delegates Ahead of Saturday’s Contest

As delegates prepare to decide the next Deputy Regional Youth Organiser, TJ has appealed for their support, describing his candidature as one built on experience, unity, inclusion, consultation and resource-oriented leadership

He said his ultimate objective was to support the emergence of a disciplined, responsive and electorally prepared youth wing capable of sustaining the NDC’s political momentum in the Upper East Region ahead of the 2028 elections

TJ further emphasised that a well-equipped and meaningfully engaged youth wing would be better positioned to contribute positively to the party’s political activities

“I am prepared to work with my Regional Youth Organiser, if I am given the opportunity, to prepare the youth well for meaningful and reasonable activities within the region,” he said

The NDC Upper East Regional Youth Wing election is expected to determine the leadership that will steer the party’s youth mobilisation and organisational activities in the region in the coming years

For TJ, the contest represents an opportunity to translate years of grassroots political service into regional leadership, with unity, youth empowerment and strategic mobilisation at the heart of his campaign

Source – gbcuraonline.com