Ghana’s Defining Moment: Our elections, youth, economy and democracy. - A guide for youth on who to vote for

Ghana’s 2024 election is unlike any other, it is a defining moment that will represent an epochal shift in the structure of our economy, our culture, politics, and importantly our aspirations. And that must be the consideration for this election!

Who we, “Ghanaian Youth” elect as President will be the most important exercise we undertake at this defining moment and in this decade. It is not a question of whether it matters, or whether it will make a difference. Nothing can be left to chance in this election. It must be decisive and every single youth of “voting age” must step up to be counted. To each and all, we must be campaigners. And can no longer afford to sit on the fence.

A decision must be made and a conscious effort to campaign, and to convert a friend, or family member to a Party or Candidate. Ghana deserves better. Our future cannot be cheapened by politics of convenience. It is okay to be aligned to a Party and Candidate by party philosophy, affinity, or family history, but the Presidential Candidate’s message and manifesto must be defined by the people, our country’s ideals and aspirations- What our people want, What we want as “Youth”.

So our choice of conversion for Candidate or Party matters; and must, in my opinion, be determined by a number of factors, but first for context.

Context:

Ghana’s voting patterns and choice are usually defined by a Candidate’s Name recognition, personality, likeability, competence, & warmth. Other factors such as credibility, people skills, religion, family origins, and ethnicity play a role in voting patterns. These also come into play in how a candidate/flagbearer is packaged and presented to the party to secure the candidature and then to the nation for the general elections.

A “Party’s manifesto” often defines the economic path and intention for State and Governance, except it is often unrealistic, underachieved, and saddled with implementation challenges. When a Government is constituted, its Medium Term Development plan drawn from the National Development Planning Commission’s strategic plan provides a basis for an economic blueprint, again saddled with implementation challenges. Every District in Ghana has a District Development Plan but the extent of performance, and accountability are often not measured or its impact is less visible.

Religion as a factor in this election:

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, about 17.6% of Ghana’s population is Muslim with a vast majority based in the three Northern Regions whose population has over 60% Muslims. According to the last Population census, the three regions of the North, excluding those who identify as Northerners (yet live in other parts of the country) represent 16% of the total Ghanaian Population.

Region of Birth as a Swing Factor in Voter Pattern:

The three Northern regions in Ghana (now 5 regions) have since 1992 voted predominantly for the NDC, except this trend has changed given voter dynamics - total seats, total vote count, and outputs.

In 1979 and 2012, Ghana was privileged to have a President who hailed from the Northern part of the country.

The dynamics for representation and votes matter, both religion and region will play a critical role in election outcomes. But a country-first strategy is needed. The President and the type of leadership we need at this time are crucial. We are at a crossroads.

Ghana has a youthful population and an increasing opportunity for real growth. Ghana Statistical Services 2022 Annual Household Income & Expenditure Survey report on the Labor Force indicated the following:

Ghana recorded an average 13.4% to 13.9% unemployment rate across all quarters of 2022, and an estimated 1.74 million (13.4%) of the total working population of 13 million was unemployed within the first quarter of the same year, with females twice as high as that of Males.

About a quarter of the population 15 to 35 years was not in employment, education, or training (NEET) across the three quarters. This represents about 2.5 million persons. Among the top five regions with the highest NEET rates in Q3 were Savannah (27.8%), North East (24.3%) and Upper East (24.2%). Persons not in employment, education, or training (NEET) reduce with age. This was in 2022. 2023 figures show a certain contrast. The Global economic environment has experienced true shocks, and Ghana isn’t the only victim. So this election cannot be a blame game as usual. We need True Leadership and policies to transform our Economy.

The economic & political dynamics, nuances, and needs of Gen Z, Millennials and soon Gen Alpha, have still not been fully explored by any political party or economic policy.

This is a rallying call for us, as Youth to step up and be counted. We must interrogate the Strategic Plans called "Party Manifesto".

What are the factors that must define the assessment of the Manifesto and the choice we make in deciding which political party, or candidate we support? I can only offer guidance:

Candidate: What is the track record of Candidate and Party, Campaign strategy and communication, the campaign literature, looking beyond the ads & photos? Have you noticed distortion and diversion tactics without explaining concrete policy action? Who funds the candidate? To arrive at a concrete decision on who to vote for, we must interrogate their Person, Ideology, History, Network, Values, and Principles.

His Team - Who is on his team? What’s their track record, what are the policies championed by these persons, past and present? Their communication style, and what kind of network do they have? What are their principles and key achievements? Demand and search for proof.

Potential & Current Appointees - An account of stewardship, their network and track record, collaborations with institutions, and persons beyond Government. Do they have persons who can influence development, are sufficiently networked, and with the right connections to bring investments to Ghana and the grassroots?

Party ideology: Is there sufficient evidence to suggest that the Political Party, its make, character has evolved with contemporary politics? Does the new leadership represent an effective blueprint for inclusive political representation and development? - Change begins from here. Compare Current leadership and the Old Leadership, form and structure.

Funding & Resource Mobilisation - Which party has presented a clear unambiguous resource mobilisation plan, costed manifesto, or provided estimates, and who has the right network, and policies to help bridge the deficits in our country’s domestic revenue for economic growth?

Representation & our Future - Social Protection, Policies for Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training, at risk, marginalised, Persons with Disabilities. This must be a critical policy assessment area. Key Documents & Actions to request for and to look out for:

Policy Document and Action Plan for Youth Development - Assess areas on Entrepreneurship, Health, Education & Employment, Technology, Finance, Trade, Energy, Agribusiness, Manufacturing, and Financing - Key Strategic Actions for Competitiveness.

Performance analysis and past performance on these issues. - We must demand that the leading parties publish their track record in these areas in a single document for comparison.

Funding and Resource Mobilisation Strategy to fund the Youth Development Strategy. - Beyond their broad macroeconomic policies, what specific actions will mobilise funding for youth development activities in Ghana. Policy on Inclusion and equity, addressing inequality for at-risk, marginalised, minority classes often unrepresented.

Baseline Data on Justification/Pre-Feasibility Studies on Proposed Policy Actions - Are there any? Or the policies mentioned are “mere intentions”

Effective representation of Youth in MMDAs, Boards, and consultative processes on Budget and policy development across the board. - Seen any proposal?

Processes and Systems of Accountability to the Youth. - Have these measures been outlined?

Representation of qualified youth on all national programs for inputs. - It's time for the media, Civil Society Groups, and Development Partners to empower Ghanaian Youth to speak up in this election.

We must participate fully in the political process- campaigning, demanding accountability, and making sure we vote! I hope this helps Ghanaian Youth make a good choice. Feel free to share with your networks and let's engage on this. #GhanaRising #YouthGetInvolved #YouthVote #WeMustVote