22-year-old law student joins Base Movement Ghana for Manhyi

A 22-year-old law student, Nana Agyeiwaa Baffoe-Bonnie Michaels, has announced her bid to contest the Manhyia South parliamentary seat in the 2028 general election on the ticket of the newly formed Base Movement Ghana.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Ashanti Regional office in Kumasi, Ms Michaels said her decision was inspired by years of witnessing and experiencing the challenges confronting residents of the constituency. “I understand the struggles of the people because I have lived through them. It is time for a new kind of leadership that listens, serves and delivers,” she said.

The aspiring parliamentary candidate identified what she described as 12 key challenges facing Manhyia South, including youth unemployment, limited support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), inadequate skills and vocational training opportunities, poor educational infrastructure and gaps in healthcare delivery. She also cited poor roads and drainage systems, sanitation concerns, security challenges, inadequate support for women and girls, limited sports and recreational facilities, digital exclusion and weak citizen engagement by elected leaders.

Ms Michaels’ announcement is significant as it adds to the early political activity ahead of the 2028 general election. The Manhyia South constituency is expected to attract significant attention as parties begin positioning prospective candidates. The constituency has been a stronghold for various parties in the past, and this year’s election promises to be no different. Base Movement Ghana’s decision to field a young candidate like Ms Michaels could be a strategic move to appeal to the youth vote, who are increasingly becoming a crucial demographic in Ghana’s electoral landscape.

Ms Michaels’ vision for Manhyia South is centered on creating jobs for young people, supporting entrepreneurship and expanding skills development programmes. She also pledged to improve economic opportunities for women, strengthen education and healthcare services, promote local businesses, attract investment and enhance transparency and accountability in governance. Her decision to run on the ticket of Base Movement Ghana suggests that she is committed to the party’s values of putting Ghana first, empowering citizens, promoting accountability and creating opportunities for all.

As the 2028 general election draws near, it will be interesting to see how Ms Michaels’ campaign unfolds. Her decision to focus on issue-based politics and appeal to residents across political divides could be a game-changer in the constituency. If successful, she could become one of the youngest parliamentarians in Ghana’s history, and her victory would be a testament to the power of youth participation in politics.