New Youth Mayor team plan to unite young people

“We want to help create an even happier, safer Wandsworth, where everyone feels they can be seen and heard.” 

That is the message from newly-elected Youth Mayor Kwasi Agyekum-Koranchie, who is planning to use the platform to be a ‘beacon’ for the voices of young people in the borough. 

“The overarching thing I want to achieve is creating a happier Wandsworth, I want it to be a place where people have opportunity, but they also feel safe and heard,” explains the 15-year-old student at Ernest Bevin Academy in Tooting.

“There’s people who might not feel very comfortable with having their voices heard so the role of Youth Mayor is the opportunity to be that beacon of a voice.” 

Campaigning on topics including mental health, careers opportunities, and equality, diversity and inclusion, Kwasi is determined to work alongside the council’s political leaders to make a difference. 

“I see this as an opportunity to use the potential of young people to enact real change,” highlights Kwasi. 

“It’s up to young people to come together and really embrace our differences, we can unite and be one community.” 

Councillor Judi Gasser, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Children, praised the passion and ambition of the new Youth Mayor team:

“We’re incredibly proud of our Youth Council and the inspiring young leaders like Kwasi and Sophia who step forward to represent their peers. The council is committed to working hand-in-hand with them to ensure young people’s voices are not only heard but are at the heart of decision-making in Wandsworth.” 

Youth Council

Along with Deputy Youth Mayor, Sophia Dyson, the pair had been involved with Wandsworth’s 40-strong Youth Council before being elected to their roles through a competitive ballot process. 

Youth Council on the stairs in Marble Hall

Kwasi points out that working as a team with other members of Youth Council is a key part of developing a powerful voice for young people. 

“Youth Council will be a really big part of making things happen and enacting change,” says the keen guitarist and basketball player, who is also involved with the Jimmy Asher Foundation to make a positive difference to his community through sport. 

“A lot of policies that are made are about us but not made with us. So, we want to elevate young people’s voices with members of the council.”

Kwasi and Sophia have already had chance to meet some of the council’s decision-makers, including Leader Simon Hogg. Kwasi also took to the stage as one of the comperes at the launch of the Council’s third Family Hub, an event attended by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and other influential voices, showcasing his confidence and commitment to amplifying youth perspectives. 

Sophia Dyson and Kwasi Agyekum-Koranchie with Cllr Simon Hogg

Deputy Youth Mayor Sophia, 16, says her reasons for getting involved are “making politics and government more accessible for young people, embracing Wandsworth’s vibrant cultures and enhancing its green spaces and outdoor activities.”

The lifelong Putney resident is passionate about climate change, which she describes as a “hugely pressing issue for young people.”

Highlighting the council’s Climate Action Microgrants scheme, Sophia adds: “There’s so much potential in Wandsworth and I love the possibility of collaborating across councils with other youth mayors.” 

Election process

A total of eight young people from across the borough stood for election, raising a broad range of issues including education and careers, mental health, cultural diversity, active travel, green spaces and community safety.

With over 300 young people casting their vote, the election saw enthusiastic participation across local youth clubs including BASE in Roehampton, Regenerate in Putney, Carney’s Community Gym in Battersea, Tooting Family Hub, Furzedown Youth Club, George Shearing and Kimber Skate Park in Wandsworth from 5 May.

The results of the election were shared at the official Mayor making ceremony at Wandsworth Town Hall on 21 May.

The candidates included:

• Elisabeth Abraham, 15
• Kwasi Agyekum-Koranchie, 15
• Muzammil Ahmad, 17
• Demi Alli, 17
• Sophia Dyson, 16
• Theo Hall, 15
• Farhan Ruhan, 15
• Zarina Syed, 16

The new team are set to build on the work carried out by Wandsworth’s previous Youth Mayor team, Millie Quinn and Favour Oniri, who were the first young people to be elected in the borough last year.

Alongside attending key events such as the Wandsworth Arts Fringe and the green-focused Hazelfest, they led on major youth-focused initiatives including the borough’s first Young People’s Sexual Harassment Survey and co-designed the Young Wandsworth Strategy to ensure services reflect young people’s needs. Their work also shaped Wandsworth’s Library Strategy and influenced borough-wide policies on safety and inclusion.

Find out more on Instagram @wbcyouthcouncil or email Wandsworth Youth Council Facilitator Keziah Gordon at Keziah.gordon@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.