Malik Basintale is a dynamic young Ghanaian politician, youth advocate, and public servant whose rapid rise through the ranks of Ghanaian political life has made him one of the most recognized and closely watched young political figures in his country.
A communications specialist by training, a former Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and, most recently, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), appointed by President John Dramani Mahama in January 2025, Basintale has established himself as a compelling voice for youth empowerment, political communication, and social justice in Ghana.
His story is that of a young man from northern Ghana who used education, passion, and strategic political engagement to climb to the top of his party’s communication infrastructure at a strikingly early age.
Profile
| Full Name | Malik S. Basintale |
| Born | January 7, 1993 |
| Age | 33 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Occupation | Politician, Youth Advocate, Acting CEO – Youth Employment Agency (YEA) |
| Tribe | Dagomba |
| Religion | Islam |
| Parents | Father (deceased, 2014; worked as pantryman at Tamale Technical University); Mother (homemaker) |
| Net Worth | Estimated modest; income from political/public service roles |
Early Life
Malik S. Basintale was born on January 7, 1993, in Tamale, the capital city of Ghana’s Northern Region and one of the country’s largest and most culturally significant cities. He belongs to the Dagomba ethnic group, one of the major indigenous communities of northern Ghana with a rich history of governance and cultural tradition. He grew up in Tamale’s Savannah Region environment, where the rhythms of community life, Islamic faith, and a strong appreciation for education shaped his early development.
His father worked as a pantryman at Tamale Technical University and passed away in 2014, a loss that came at a pivotal time in Malik’s early political career. His mother is a homemaker. Despite the modest means of his family, Malik was a studious and ambitious young man from an early age, excelling academically and developing a keen interest in politics, public affairs, and leadership. He developed more passion for politics following his completion of Junior High School in 2011, when he began to see political engagement as the most meaningful avenue through which he could contribute to his community and nation.
Education
Malik Basintale began his formal education at Tamale International School, where he demonstrated strong academic ability and was nominated for the prestigious Presidential Prize in 2011 following his excellent performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). He subsequently enrolled at Prempeh College in Kumasi, one of Ghana’s most prestigious secondary schools, renowned for producing national leaders across multiple fields, from 2011 to 2014.
After Prempeh College, he gained admission to the University of Ghana in Accra, where he studied Business Administration with a focus on Banking and Finance, earning his degree and distinguishing himself in student governance. During his university years, he held numerous leadership positions including roles within the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN), the NDC’s student wing, the University of Ghana Parliament House, and the Student Representative Council (SRC). These student leadership experiences were foundational to his political career, developing his organizational, communication, and mobilization skills in a demanding academic environment.
Career
Malik Basintale’s political career began in earnest while he was still a student, through his involvement with TEIN (the NDC’s student wing) and university governance structures. His early foray into formal party politics came when he contested for the position of Deputy Communication Officer for the Northern Regional branch of the NDC.
His breakthrough moment came at the remarkable age of 21, when he became the youngest Northern Regional Executive of the NDC following a competitive party election in 2018. He defeated his closest competitor by a substantial margin, receiving 270 votes (36.4% of valid votes cast) compared to his closest rival’s 252 votes, a result that announced him as a genuine political talent with real grassroots support in the Northern Region. This early success established him as one of Ghana’s most promising young political communicators.
He subsequently rose to the national level, serving as Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, where he became one of the most visible faces of the party’s media and communication strategy. As a political communicator, Basintale developed a reputation for clarity, assertiveness, and an ability to connect with both young voters and traditional political constituencies. He became a regular presence on Ghanaian political television and radio programs, representing the NDC’s position on national issues with confidence and articulacy.
In January 2025, following the NDC’s return to power under President John Dramani Mahama, Malik Basintale was appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), a significant appointment that placed one of Ghana’s most prominent young political communicators in charge of one of the country’s most important youth empowerment institutions. As Acting CEO of the YEA, his mandate is to tackle youth unemployment, create sustainable job opportunities for young Ghanaians, and drive the agency’s strategic mission of empowering the country’s youth to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
He is active on Twitter/X (@malik_basintale), where he regularly engages in national political discussions, advocates for youth development, and shares insights on governance, economic policy, and social justice issues. His online presence helps him connect with the younger demographic that forms a critical part of his political constituency.
Awards & Nominations
- Presidential Prize Nominee – Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), 2011
- Youngest Northern Regional Executive of the NDC – 2018
- Appointed Acting CEO, Youth Employment Agency (YEA) – January 2025
Social Media
Malik Basintale is active on Twitter/X at the handle @malik_basintale, where he engages regularly on national political discussions, youth advocacy, and party communication. His social media presence is a key tool of his political communication strategy and helps him maintain visibility and relevance in Ghana’s rapidly evolving digital political landscape.
Personal Life
Malik Basintale keeps his personal and romantic life largely private. Some sources indicate he is married, though he has chosen to keep his wife’s identity out of public view. He is a Muslim whose Islamic faith is central to his personal values and professional outlook. He is deeply rooted in the Dagomba cultural heritage of northern Ghana and has consistently maintained his northern Ghanaian identity as a core part of his public persona, even as his career has taken him to Accra and the national stage. He is known for his energetic, approachable style and his genuine passion for youth issues and community development.
Net Worth
Malik Basintale’s personal net worth has not been publicly verified and is estimated to be modest, consistent with the financial profile of a young politician who has spent his career in party communication and public service rather than private business. His income currently derives from his salary as Acting CEO of the Youth Employment Agency and prior income from political party roles and speaking engagements. As his public profile continues to grow, his earning potential from advisory, speaking, and related opportunities is expected to increase.
FAQs
Who is Malik Basintale?
He is a Ghanaian politician and youth advocate, serving as Acting CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and former Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC.
How old is Malik Basintale?
He was born on January 7, 1993, making him 33 years old in 2026.
What tribe is Malik Basintale from?
He belongs to the Dagomba ethnic group of northern Ghana.
What is the Youth Employment Agency (YEA)?
The YEA is a Ghanaian government institution mandated to address youth unemployment by creating sustainable employment opportunities for young Ghanaians.
What is Malik Basintale’s Twitter handle?
He is active on Twitter/X at @malik_basintale.
Conclusion
Malik Basintale’s rise from Tamale to the national political stage of Ghana is a story that should inspire young Africans everywhere. Becoming the youngest Northern Regional Executive of the NDC at 21, building a reputation as one of Ghana’s most effective political communicators, and being entrusted with leading the Youth Employment Agency at 31, all of this speaks to a young man whose blend of education, passion, and strategic political instinct has already produced remarkable results. As Acting CEO of the YEA, he now has the platform to translate his advocacy for youth empowerment into tangible programs and policies that could change the lives of thousands of young Ghanaians. The best of Malik Basintale’s story, it seems, is still to come.