Ghanaian entrepreneur and investment adviser, Barbara Quashigah, has formally declared her intention to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, citing her commitment to grassroots mobilisation, community development and inclusive leadership.In a declaration of intent, she said her decision was driven by a desire to offer the constituency effective, compassionate, accessible and visionary representation while contributing to the growth and unity of the NPP.She believes Ayawaso West Wuogon needs leadership that combines professional competence, experience, fresh ideas and a strong connection with the grassroots.“I believe the time has come for leadership that combines experience, fresh ideas, professional competence, and a strong connection with the grassroots,” she stated.Barbara said her aspiration to enter Parliament goes beyond political ambition, arguing that her engagement with communities and involvement in social interventions and empowerment initiatives have shaped her understanding of leadership as a responsibility to serve.“My commitment to the people of Ayawaso West Wuogon goes beyond political ambition. Through community engagements, social interventions, and empowerment initiatives, I have continued to demonstrate that true leadership begins with service, not a title,” she said.She identified youth development, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, education and community welfare as key areas she intends to prioritise if given the opportunity to represent the constituency in Parliament.“I want to be a Member of Parliament who listens, engages, advocates, and delivers,” she declared.Business and investment experienceQuashigah brings to her parliamentary ambition a professional background spanning entrepreneurship, investment advisory, international trade, agribusiness and stakeholder engagement.She is the Managing Partner of Nexus FTC Ltd, where she works in international investment opportunities, strategic advisory and stakeholder engagement, connecting investors, institutions and public-sector stakeholders across Ghana and other African markets.Her professional engagements have extended to countries including Angola, Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting her involvement in cross-border business and investment development.Her work has also included a fundraising mandate connected to the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), an engagement that reflects her interest in financing and supporting economic development initiatives across the sub-region.In the agribusiness sector, she established Ambar Quality Foods Ltd, which focuses on food production, commodity trading and exports.Her involvement in these sectors has informed her interest in entrepreneurship, job creation and expanding economic opportunities, particularly for women and young people.Philanthropy and community empowermentBeyond her business interests, Quashigah established BAAQ Initiatives in 2020 as a platform to support women and young people through empowerment programmes and interventions aimed at improving livelihoods.The initiative focuses on skills development, women’s empowerment, youth development and educational support, with an emphasis on equipping individuals with the knowledge and resources to become economically independent.Her community engagement activities, including interactions with university students and members of the Muslim community, have also featured in her public profile.She believes these experiences have strengthened her understanding of the diverse needs of the constituency and the importance of accessible leadership that responds to the concerns of different groups.Political involvement and party unityQuashigah’s interest in the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary seat is also underpinned by her involvement in the NPP and its organisational activities.Her political experience has included campaign responsibilities, participation in finance committees and regional mobilisation, providing her with exposure to party organisation and electoral campaign operations.She says she wants to use that experience to strengthen the party’s structures in the constituency, rebuild relationships with grassroots members and encourage greater collaboration among its supporters.According to her, the NPP needs a parliamentary candidate capable of uniting its membership, reconnecting with the grassroots and attracting wider support, particularly among younger voters.“Our party needs a candidate who can unite its members, reconnect with the grassroots, inspire the younger generation, attract wider support, and lead a campaign built on trust, commitment, and credibility,” she stated.She also emphasised the importance of respecting the party’s internal structures and recognising the contributions of delegates and grassroots members in determining its parliamentary candidate.“I respect the party’s structures, value the contributions of our delegates and grassroots members, and believe that unity must remain at the heart of our journey towards victory,” she said.A family background in public serviceQuashigah also comes from a family with a history of public service.She is the daughter of Major (Rtd.) Courage Quashigah, who served as Ghana’s Minister for Health before becoming Minister for Agriculture.Her mother, Gertrude Essie Quashigah, also served the country through her work with the Ghana School Feeding Programme.The family background has formed part of her exposure to public service and national development, alongside her professional experience in business and community initiatives.Seeking the confidence of NPP delegatesAs she formally enters the contest, Quashigah is seeking the support and endorsement of NPP delegates and the wider party membership to become the party’s parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon.She says her ambition is centred on responsibility, representation and tangible results rather than personal recognition.“My aspiration is not about personal recognition; it is about responsibility, representation, and results,” she said.She has consequently presented her candidacy as an opportunity to combine her professional experience, political involvement and community development interests in serving the constituency.“I am Barbara Quashigah. I bring commitment, competence, compassion, loyalty, and a vision for a stronger Ayawaso West Wuogon. I am ready to serve, ready to unite, and ready to lead,” she declared.She is expected to face the internal party contest as the NPP prepares to select its parliamentary candidate for the constituency ahead of the next general election.