Youth Representation in Ghana’s Fourth Republican Parliament: A Historical Overview
摘要
This chapter examines youth representation in Ghana’s Fourth Republican Parliament, focusing on elections from 1992 to 2020. While the Second Republic (1969–1972) had the highest youth representation (over 50% of MPs), youth remain significantly underrepresented in the Fourth Republic, with only 36 MPs (13%) in the Eighth Parliament (2021–2025). The study explores institutional and societal barriers, including the high cost of politics, entrenched party structures, and cultural biases favouring older politicians. Using historical and contemporary data, it highlights fluctuating youth involvement, with early post-independence years showing higher participation. The chapter discusses the implications of low youth representation on governance, policy, and political engagement and calls for electoral reforms and inclusive party structures. Future research should analyse the careers of young MPs who have overcome systemic challenges and examine whether their presence leads to youth-focused policies in education, employment, and economic development, which are critical for youth empowerment.