A 22-year-old law student, Nana Agyeiwaa Baffoe-Bonnie Michaels, popularly known as Okordie, has announced her intention 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 driven by her firsthand experience of the challenges facing 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 outlined several issues she believes require urgent attention, including youth unemployment, inadequate support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), limited skills training opportunities, poor educational infrastructure and gaps in healthcare delivery.
She also highlighted poor roads and drainage, sanitation, security concerns, insufficient support for women and girls, limited sports and recreational facilities, digital exclusion and weak engagement between elected leaders and constituents.
According to Ms Michaels, these challenges have persisted because political leaders have often placed partisan interests ahead of the needs of the people.
“I proudly identify with Base Movement Ghana because it is committed to putting Ghana first, empowering citizens, promoting accountability and creating opportunities for all,” she said.
She pledged to prioritise youth employment, entrepreneurship, skills development and women’s economic empowerment if elected. She also promised to improve education and healthcare services, promote local businesses, attract investment and strengthen transparency and accountability.
Ms Michaels said she would work with traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, civil society groups and the private sector to advance development in the constituency.
She added that her campaign would focus on issues rather than political attacks and called on residents to support what she described as a new generation of leadership.
“The time has come for a new generation of leadership that listens, serves and delivers. Together, we can build a stronger Manhyia South and a stronger Ghana,” she said.
Her declaration comes as political parties and aspiring candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2028 general election.