Despite an encouraging voter turnout in Ghana, political engagement among the country’s youth is declining, according to the latest Afrobarometer report.
The report, based on nationally representative surveys conducted across 39 African countries, reveals that about eight in ten Ghanaians reported voting in the last national election.
However, youth participation lags significantly behind, especially in activities like attending community meetings and affiliating with political parties.
“In Ghana, youth are less engaged than their elders across most forms of participation,” the report states, highlighting that the widest gap was seen in voting – a core measure of democratic involvement.
The survey findings indicate that only about half of Ghana’s adult population now claims affiliation with a political party, signalling a sharp drop over the last decade. Meanwhile, younger citizens, aged 18–35, are particularly disconnected, participating less in civic and political life compared to older age groups.
Experts believe this trend could pose a long-term threat to democratic consolidation if not addressed. “This disengagement among the youth is worrying,” said Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny, Director of Communications at Afrobarometer. “It reflects a growing disillusionment with formal political structures, and it’s something policy makers must take seriously.”
While Ghana performs relatively well in terms of electoral turnout, the lack of youth involvement in other civic activities – such as community meetings and issue-based organising – underscores a potential deficit in sustained citizen engagement.
The report urges stakeholders to foster more inclusive platforms that allow young people to participate meaningfully in democratic processes beyond election days.
Read the full report below:
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