Young people's political intentions must be scrutinized - Prof. Karikari

A total of Ghana's forty-two Members of Parliament representing 15.27 per cent are below 40 years. The number is likely to increase in the next parliament since more young and arguably famous professionals have expressed interest in politics starting from the legislature.

But former Executive Director for Media Foundation for West Africa, Professor Kwame Karikari has told TV3's Catherine Frimpongmaa there is the need to scrutinize the intentions of these young people for going into politics .

The age frequency chart from ghanamps.gov.gh shows that the ages of Ghana's members of parliament ranges between 29 and 71 years. In the first Parliament, the two youngest MPs entered at 28 and 29. In the Third Parliament, the youngest MP was 31 years.

In March 2002, Dominic Aduna Nitiwul became the youngest MP at age 24. The fourth and fifth parliaments had their youngest MPs at 29 and 31 respectively.

Currently, the two youngest MPs in the Sixth Parliament are the MP for Amasaman and MP for Karaga who both entered parliament at 29 years. After the NPP opened nominations on March 30 for its parliamentary primaries, many surprise names have popped up.

Lawyer Egbert Faibille Jnr, Managing Editor of the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper and Managing Editor of the Searchlight Newspaper Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie are among those whose names have popped up.

Former Host of Joy FM's Morning Show Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has also indicated his interest to contest on the ticket of the NPP.

George Andah of pressure group Occupy Ghana, has also confirmed he will contest the NPP's primaries for the Awutu Senya constituency.

Radio Presenter Gilbert Abeku Aggrey, popularly known as Abeku Santana, has also confirmed he will be contesting the Mfantseman East seat on the ticket of the NDC.

Posters of television host Gifty Anti were spotted by TV3 in Tema, where she formerly resided even though she has denied reports she is interested in the ajumako-enyan-esiam seat. The posters are said to be powered by Friends of Gifty Anti (FOGA).

Although these individuals' successes in private life and popularity are not in doubt, Professor Kwame Karikari thinks they may not have it easy at all.

"They don't have too much of an advantage because some of the things that could be used against or for a candidate are that how often does he come to funerals? Was he at the last festival? Do the old people know him?; they still have to struggle very hard" he noted.

While some have lauded the coming of more energetic, successful and intelligent young people into Ghana's Parliament as a good development for Ghana's governance drive, Professor Karikari says the intentions of these young people for coming into politics must be scrutinized.

"A lot of cynicism is growing in our politics and it is dangerous because if that cynicism grows, our democracy will be the loser. What principles are they bringing? What are they going into Parliament to advocate for?" he questioned.

But a Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Bossman Asare, maintains the next Parliament stands to benefit a lot if these persons are given the nod.

"I think this is really good for the country and for our politics because we have individuals who are very young and have accomplished a lot in private life; they have succeeded and that gives them some gravitas. For any country that wants to develop, you really want to have very intelligent people who are serving as parliamentarians and ministers. And so once you have this large pool and you are going to select from, I think that is good for the country" he maintained.