Ketu North Member of Parliament, Eric Edem Agbana, has urged young people across Ghana’s two major political parties to resist the temptation to turn internal party contests into personal battles, warning that political rivalry should never come at the expense of character and relationships.
With internal elections in both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gathering momentum, Mr Agbana has appealed to young party activists to campaign vigorously for their preferred candidates while maintaining civility and respect for political opponents.
In a message directed specifically at young people in both parties, the Ketu North MP said there was no guaranteed formula in politics and that the intensity of an internal contest should not encourage supporters to create unnecessary enemies.
He said supporters had every right to passionately campaign for their preferred candidates, defend their positions and make a strong case for victory, but cautioned against insults, personal attacks, character assassination and attacks on opponents’ families.
“You can disagree without being disagreeable. You can campaign hard without being abusive. You can defend your candidate without demonising someone else’s candidate,” he said.
Mr Agbana’s intervention comes at a time when preparations for internal party elections are intensifying, with contests at various levels expected to test relationships among party activists and aspirants.
He urged young politicians to recognise that political alliances are often fluid and that today’s fiercest opponent could become tomorrow’s colleague, leader, ally or even someone whose assistance may be needed.
“I speak from a lived experience,” he said, emphasizing that politics could change rapidly and that the people being attacked during an election could later find themselves working together.
According to him, the temporary nature of political contests makes it particularly important for young people to protect their personal integrity and relationships beyond the immediate electoral battles.
“The person you are insulting today may sit across the table from you tomorrow. The opponent you are trying to destroy today may become your colleague, your leader, your ally, or even the person you desperately need to help you navigate a difficult moment,” he cautioned.
He further warned young activists against permanently damaging relationships over contests in which the candidates themselves could eventually reconcile.
“Sometimes, the very candidates competing against each other today will converge after the elections, reconcile and work together. And you? You may be the only stranger in Jerusalem,” Mr Agbana said.
The MP therefore encouraged young people to avoid burning bridges simply because they were pursuing different political paths at a particular moment.
He believes the younger generation has an opportunity to reshape Ghana’s political culture by shifting political competition away from insults and personal attacks towards issues that matter to voters and the country.
“Young people must lead the way in changing the culture of political engagement. Let our politics be about ideas, competence, vision, service and character, not insults, personal attacks and character assassination,” he said.
Mr Agbana maintained that political activism and decency were not mutually exclusive, urging young supporters to remain committed to their candidates and convictions without losing sight of their own values.
“Fight for your candidate, but do not lose yourself in the fight,” he said.
He called on party supporters to contest internal elections fiercely but ensure that the conclusion of the contests does not leave lasting divisions that could undermine the broader democratic process.
“Support your people. Defend your convictions. Contest fiercely. But when the elections are over, let us still be able to shake hands, sit together and build Ghana,” he said.
The Ketu North MP ended his message with a reminder that could resonate beyond the current internal party contests: “Politics is temporary. Character stays with you.”
By: Christian Kpesese
