The Young and the Political: Why Gen Z Is Tuning In
By Dede
Cape Coast, Ghana — At 21, Kwame Owusu doesn’t just scroll TikTok for fun. He scrolls for news. From trending debates in Parliament to live broadcasts of town hall meetings, Kwame and thousands of young Ghanaians are consuming — and participating in — politics in ways their parents never imagined.
“We may not have power now,” he says, “but our voice? It’s louder than ever.”
In a country where political apathy once defined the youth, Gen Z is showing up — online, on the streets, and at the ballot box. Their engagement isn’t always traditional, but it is real. And it is rising.
A New Kind of Activism
Ghana’s youth — defined here as those aged 15–29 — make up more than 35% of the population. For decades, they’ve been told they’re “the future.” But today, they’re claiming the present too.
- Posting political commentary on Twitter/X
- Challenging leaders on live Instagram sessions
- Forming student-led think tanks and advocacy clubs
- Organizing peaceful protests and civic engagement campaigns
In 2020, the hashtag #FixTheCountry became a rallying cry for youth discontent. Thousands of young people poured into the streets demanding accountability, job creation, and better governance.
“We were tired of being told to wait,” says Serwaa Mensah, 24, a student activist in Accra. “So we acted.”
What’s Driving the Shift?
Several factors explain why Ghana’s Gen Z is more politically engaged than previous generations:
1. Unemployment Crisis
With youth unemployment hovering near 14%, many young Ghanaians feel excluded from economic opportunity — and are demanding answers.
2. Access to Information
Smartphones and social media have made news and political discourse immediate and personal. A 20-year-old can livestream a corrupt police checkpoint or a council meeting from their phone.
3. Global Inspiration
Movements like #EndSARS in Nigeria and Black Lives Matter globally have influenced young Ghanaians to believe that youth-led activism can lead to change.
4. Disillusionment with the Status Quo
Many young voters no longer trust party loyalty. They want accountability over allegiance, and issues over slogans.
Political Parties Take Notice
Political strategists are shifting gears:
- Launching youth-focused manifestos
- Hosting Twitter Spaces to discuss policy
- Recruiting influencers to engage younger voters
- Adding young spokespersons to party ranks
“The youth vote is no longer optional,” says a campaign aide to a major political candidate. “It’s decisive.”
Not Just Votes — Voices
Youth political engagement goes beyond elections.
- Community clean-up campaigns tied to local government lobbying
- Student union activism influencing education policy
- Digital petitions on issues like fuel price hikes or LGBTQ+ rights
- Youth-led town halls that grill district assembly members
At the University of Ghana, a group called NextGen Civic Forum now hosts monthly forums linking students to local authorities.
Barriers Remain
Despite the enthusiasm, young political actors face real hurdles:
- Tokenism in politics — being heard but not taken seriously
- Underrepresentation in actual decision-making bodies
- Censorship and online abuse
- Financial barriers to running for office
“I applied to run for assembly,” says Kwame. “They told me to wait till I’m 35. But by then, the decisions will already be made.”
The Role of Education
Civic education is gaining renewed attention.
- NGOs like Youth Bridge Foundation run voter literacy workshops
- Online platforms explain parliamentary processes and laws in “Gen Z language”
- More SHS and university students are forming debate and policy clubs
But experts say more is needed.
“We need to embed civic thinking in our education system,” says Dr. Leticia Owusu, a political science lecturer. “Not just teach it — live it.”
Digital Isn’t Enough
While digital activism is powerful, it risks being limited to echo chambers.
“Young people need to organize offline too,” says Serwaa. “If all we do is tweet, nothing moves.”
Still, she believes that the digital-first approach is a gateway to real-world involvement — especially when tied to consistent action and coalition-building.
What the Future Holds
As 2024 draws political battle lines, parties and institutions cannot afford to ignore the youth:
- Youth-focused policies on housing, jobs, and digital inclusion are now key talking points
- Election Commission outreach to first-time voters is expanding
- The debate around the age of political maturity is growing
Young Ghanaians aren’t waiting to be given a seat. They’re building their own tables.
Final Thought
Gen Z in Ghana isn’t just watching politics — they’re shaping it. Their engagement is tech-savvy, bold, impatient, and urgent. And while they may not yet hold the reins of power, they are pushing the carriage forward.
“You call us inexperienced,” Kwame says. “But we are experiencing the problems. And that gives us the right to speak.”