There is a prevailing opinion that, in almost every election, young people are the least likely to vote and these participation rates are continuously declining; youth membership of political parties is dropping (partisanship), they are less politically knowledgeable, do not participate in social or political activities, have low levels of political interest, and other factors. This research, conducted in the Kumasi Metropolis, shows that the youth are associated with political parties and thus provide a strong indication that the youth in Ghana are very active in politics and thus their engagement comes with factors that serve as a driving force.
AbbinkGJ (2005) Being young in Africa: The politics of despair and renewal. In: AbbinkGJvan KesselI (eds) Vanguards or Vandals: Youth Politics and Conflict in Africa. Leiden and Boston: Brill, pp.1–34.
2.
AhwoiK (2006) ‘The Youth as Responsible Future Party Leaders’. In: Report on Ghana/Netherlands Inter-Party Youth Conference organised by The IEA at Akosomo, 27-29 October, pp. 13–19.
3.
AdamsGRSchvaneveldtJD (1985) Understanding Research Methods. New York, NY: Longman.
4.
AnthonyD (1957) An Economic Theory of Democracy. New York: Harper and Row.
5.
AsanteR (2006) The Youth and Politics in Ghana: Reflections on the 2004 General Elections. In: KwameB-A (ed.) Voting for Democracy in Ghana: The 2004 Elections in Perspectives, Vol. 1. Accra: Freedom Publications, pp. 211–236.
6.
AsiamahI2006, ‘The Youth and Organisation of Effective Political Parties’ In: Report on Ghana/Netherlands Inter Party-Youth Conference organised by The IEA at Akosombo, 27-29 October, pp. 23–30.
7.
AduBoahen A.(1965) Topics in West African history: Longman, London.
8.
Bob-MilliarGM (2012) Political party activism in Ghana: Factors influencing the decision of the politically active to join a political party. Democratization19(4): 668–689.
9.
G MBob Millar (2014).Party youth activists and low intensity electoral violence in Ghana: a qualitatitive study of party foot soldiers activism, African studies quarterly, Vol. 15. No 1, pp. 125–152. ISSN:2152-2448
10.
Central intelligence Agency(2015) World Fact Book: Ghanas 2000 population and housing census.
11.
DaddiehCKBob-MilliarGM, (2014) ‘Ghana: The African Exemplar of an Institutionalized Two-Party System?’ in DoorenspleetRNijzinkL (eds). Political Parties, Party Systems and Democracy in Africa, Palgrave Macmillan, London.
12.
EdwardsK (2007) From deficit to disenfranchisement: Reframing the youth electoral participation. Journal of Youth Studies10(5): 539–555.
13.
GabrielAASidneyV (1989 [1963]) The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. See also AAGabrielVSidney (eds) (1980) The Civic Culture Revisited. Boston: Little Brown.
14.
Ghana Web ( 2005) 200 NDC youth in the Ashanti Region defect to NPP. September 16.
15.
International Institute for Democratic and Electoral Assistance (2015) Ghana’s 2012 voting statistics: voter turn outs around the world.
16.
GyampoRE (2012) The youth and political ideology in Ghanaian politics: The case of the fourth republic. African Development37(2): 135–163.
17.
JohnKWDanielMS (2000) New Party Politics: From Jefferson and Hamilton to the Information Age. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
18.
LentzCarola1995, Unity for Development: Youth Associations in North-Western Ghana, Journal of the International African Institute65(3), 395–340.
19.
LindbergS. I. (2003). “It’s our time to Chop”: Do elections in Africa feed Neo- patrimonialism rather than counteract it?Democratization10(2): 121–140.
20.
MancurO (1965) The Logic of Collective Action: Public Goods and the Theory of Goods. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
21.
NinsinKA (2006) Political Parties and Political Participation in Ghana: A Study on Behalf of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Accra: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
22.
NorrisP (2007) Political activism: New challenges, new opportunities. In: BoixCStokesS (eds) Ch. 26, The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford, UK: Oxford University, pp.628–652.
23.
O’TooleTListerMMarshDet al. (2003) Turning out or left out? Participation and non-participation among young people. Contemporary Politics9(1): 45–61.
24.
Peacefmonline (2016) We would minimize NDC’s Votes in 2016. June25
25.
QuintelierE (2007) Differences in political participation between young and old people: A representative study of the differences in political participation between young and old people. Contemporary Politics13(2): 165–180.
26.
Rainsford Emily (2013) what makes people politically active?Comparing activities in political parties youth factions, youth councils at demonstrations. Paper presented at PSA General Conference, Cardiff.
27.
Republic of Ghana, 2002, 2000 Population and Housing Census. Accra.
28.
Republic of Ghana, 2012, 2010 Population and Housing Census. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service.
29.
ResnickDDanielaC (2011) The Political Participation of Africa’s Youth: Turnout, Partisanship, and Protest. Working Paper No. 136. South Africa: Afrobarometer.
30.
SamuelBMaxK (1979) Political Action: Mass Participation in Five Western Democracies. Beverley Hills, CA: Sage. See also AlanM (1977) Protest and Political Consciousness. Beverley Hills, CA: Sage.
31.
SatoriG (1976) Political Parties and Party Systems: A Framework for Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
32.
SekaranU (2000) Research Methods for Business: A Skills Building Approach, 3rd ed.New York: John Wiley & Sons.
33.
SidneyVNormanHNJae-OnK (1978) Participation and Political Equality: A Seven-Nation Comparison. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
34.
SidneyVNormanHN (1972) Participation in America: Political Democracy and Social Equality. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. See also VSidneySKayEBHenry (eds) (1995) Voice and Equality: Civic Voluntarism in American Politics. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
35.
ThaboD (2011) Roles and Definition of Political Parties. Pachodo.org.
36.
TrochinWMK (2000) Research Methods Knowledge Base. New York: McGraw-Hill.
37.
United States Census Bureau (2015) Voting and registration,+65 in the united states; report number, pp. 23–209.
38.
WhitfieldL (2009) Change for a Better Ghana: Party Competition, Institutionalization and Alternation in Ghana’s 2008 Elections. African Affairs108(433): 621–641.
39.
YoboEGyampoRE (2015) Third Parties and Electoral Politics in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. Journal of Politics and Law8(2): 7–16.
