Isaac Jay Hyde elected vice chair of International Young Democrat Union – a defining moment for Ghanaian and African youth leadership

In a landmark moment for Ghana and Africa’s growing imprint on global politics, Isaac Jay Hyde, Deputy National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been elected Vice Chair of the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU).

His election was confirmed at the IYDU Election Council Meeting held from July 30 to August 3, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

The IYDU is a global coalition of youth from centre-right political parties and movements in over 80 countries, working to advance democratic values, individual freedoms, and responsible governance. Hyde’s elevation to Vice Chair is not merely symbolic; it marks a generational shift in global political leadership and places Ghana at the table where international policy ideas are shaped.

Mr. Hyde brings to this role more than a decade of transformative youth leadership and advocacy experience. His journey reflects a seamless progression from grassroots organising to high-level political engagement.

In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), the country’s largest student movement. Under his leadership, NUGS launched a national food bank to support students stranded during lockdowns, negotiated free mobile data packages for online learning, and convened a major stakeholder dialogue on Ghana’s economic recovery, attended by key policymakers including then-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Hyde’s leadership rejuvenated NUGS, fostering unity, elevating its national voice, and offering a blueprint for results-oriented student advocacy.

Before leading NUGS, Hyde served as Business Development Officer at the All-Africa Students Union (AASU), where he played a key role in fundraising and partnership development across the continent. He has also held notable positions such as President of the Student Representative Council and Local President of the Private University Students Association of Ghana (PUSAG).

In his current role as Deputy National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Hyde continues to mentor and empower young people across Ghana, working tirelessly to ensure that youth voices remain integral to the national development agenda.

He also contributed to the National Youth Peace Charter, a flagship youth policy initiative by the National Youth Authority, and has represented Ghanaian youth on several national committees.

An alumnus of the Methodist University of Ghana, Hyde holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Management Studies and a Master’s degree in Brands and Communication from the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

He is currently reading Law at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), a testament to his belief in the power of policy, institutions, and legal literacy to drive change.

In his post-election remarks, Hyde described the moment as “not just a personal milestone, but a signal to young Africans that global relevance is earned, not given.” He dedicated the victory to the youth of Ghana and Africa, particularly the NPP Youth Wing, reaffirming his commitment to principled, purpose-driven leadership.

As IYDU Vice Chair, he will lead the Union’s Africa regional agenda, help shape global policy priorities, and represent the continent in strategic dialogues on democracy and centre-right ideology.