Nii Lantey Vanderpuye

Nii Lantey Vanderpuye is a former sports broadcaster who became Minister for Youth and Sports under President John Mahama and represented Odododiodio, the central Accra seat covering James Town and Ussher Town, for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from 2013 to 2025. His full name is Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye.

The GBC years

Born on 11 June 1965, Vanderpuye attended Bechem Presbyterian Boys' and Mfantsipim before studying English, philosophy and classics at the University of Ghana. He joined the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in 1990 and rose to deputy head of sports, then moved to Network Broadcasting as head of sports. He later earned a master's in governance from GIMPA.

Presidency and ministries

Under President Mills he was director of operations at the presidency. Under Mahama he served as Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and then as Minister for Youth and Sports.

Odododiodio

Before the 2012 election he famously said he would concede if he took less than 65 percent of the vote. He won with 63 percent and kept the seat in 2016 and 2020. In 2024 he chose not to run again, saying the constant turnover of MPs made it hard for Parliament to build experience. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie of the NDC succeeded him.