Young people elect first Youth Mayor of the borough

Young people in Hammersmith & Fulham have elected the borough’s first Youth Mayor.

Aminiata Koroma, who attends Phoenix High School in White City, will take office after winning 1,039 of the votes in a spirited competition that saw young people vote in schools, community centres and youth clubs across the borough.

Click here for all the pictures of the night

“I think that young people should have the right to have their voices heard,” said the 15-year-old White City resident, who has been on the borough’s youth council for a year.

“It’s a cliché but young people are the future. The things that grown-ups are doing now affect our futures and I think it’s only right we have a say,” she added.

While Hurlingham Academy pupil Joshua Yirenkyi Owuraku, 15, came second with 846 votes and was elected to the post of Deputy Youth Mayor.

The pair will represent young people in H&F and will champion their local campaigns. They will accompany the mayor at events, lead H&F’s youth strategy and lead local consultations.

Youth parliament member elected

Hammersmith & Fulham’s Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) was also chosen during the two-week election.

Johnley Videna, who attends Burlington Danes Academy in White City, was named as the borough’s MYP at the results evening at Hammersmith Town Hall on Tuesday 22 March.

The 17-year-old Shepherds Bush resident has been on the H&F’s Youth Council for three years. He said he was shocked to have won in such a landslide, with 1,181 votes. “I’m thrilled and I’m over the moon,” he said.

“I think it’s because people could see my local and national campaigns for this year are realistic and achievable.”

He said his priorities include fighting racial, religious and gender discrimination.

He will be aided by Huma Sindhu who attends Fulham Cross Girls’ School in Munster Road. She was named the borough’s Deputy MYP after coming second with 505 votes.

The pair will now head the borough’s Youth Council and represent the voice of the borough’s young people nationally at the UK Youth Parliament.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Aminata our new youth mayor, together with Joshua, her deputy,” said H&F Mayor, Cllr Mercy Umeh. “Congratulations to them and our new Youth MP and their deputy.

“I was hugely impressed by everyone who stood in both elections. We’re lucky to have such diligent and talented young people in this borough whose enthusiasm and energy make a real difference, both in Hammersmith & Fulham and nationally.”

Results