# National Democratic Congress internal leadership bids

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/national-democratic-congress-internal-leadership-bids
> Updated: 2026-09-14T17:09:22.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Internal political activity within Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified as the party enters an internal election cycle. 

In August 2026, Basiera Sankara, the Upper West Regional Youth Organiser, announced his candidacy for NDC National Youth Organiser, emphasizing his background in grassroots mobilization. Following this, in September 2026, Ebenezer Essien, the Deputy Western Regional Communications Officer, declared his bid for Regional Secretary in the Western Region, citing his membership since 2005.

New candidacy declarations include Steven Nhyira Odarteifio for National Youth Organiser, running on an ‘Economic Mobilisation’ platform, and Emmanuel Okai Mintah, who is also aspiring for the National Youth Organiser role. Other aspirants include Vitus Akoligeya Apana for Bolgatanga East Constituency Youth Organiser and Kanayo AbdulGafaru Seidu Dambu for Northern Regional Youth Organiser. At the regional and constituency levels, Benjamin Atuasi is seeking re-election as the Upper East Regional Deputy Communications Officer, and Henry Brew Gardner has declared for the Agona West Youth Organizer position.

To preserve order, the NDC’s Functional Executive Committee has directed parliamentary hopefuls to cease all campaign activities, such as tours and donations, until nominations officially open. The party warned that premature campaigning could undermine unity and that violators would face disciplinary action. Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, an aspiring National Chairman, has expressed support for those contesting constituency-level roles, noting the importance of the party’s grassroots structure.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: National Democratic Congress enters internal election cycle

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued directives to halt premature parliamentary campaigning as various members declare bids for regional and national leadership positions.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ebenezer-essien-declares-bid-for-ndc-western-regional-secretary

### 2026-08-23: Basiera Sankara declares bid for NDC National Youth Organiser

Basiera Sankara, NDC Upper West Regional Youth Organiser, has declared his candidacy for the party's National Youth Organiser position.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/basiera-sankara-declares-bid-for-ndc-national-youth-organiser

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Cite as: National Democratic Congress internal leadership bids. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/national-democratic-congress-internal-leadership-bids