A section of youth in Ghana is demanding safer platforms for civic engagement and greater accountability from leaders, according to a new survey conducted by trained youth citizen journalists under the Citizen Journalism Project implemented by the Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF).
The project, implemented with support from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Accra through the TRANSITION Promotion Program, trains young people to use citizen journalism to explore governance issues in their communities.
The survey sampled 107 youth across the Northern and Ashanti regions who were engaged to share their understanding of civic rights and responsibilities. The results show that while youth acknowledge their responsibilities, such as obeying laws, protecting property, and paying taxes, they feel discouraged from civic action due to systemic barriers.
Barriers to participation
According to the findings, 32.6% cited social pressure and dismissiveness from adults and leaders as major barriers, 18.9% pointed to institutional failures such as corruption, and 15.8% noted lack of resources.
“Sometimes adults do not take youth seriously, and there are not enough platforms for us to participate meaningfully,” explained one respondent from Tamale. “When leaders are not accountable and the system seems rigged, youth become apathetic.”
Youth suggested creating dedicated youth forums in local governance, ensuring protection for whistleblowers, and demonstrating that taxes lead to tangible community development.
Aspirations and relevance
The findings also show that 53.3% of young respondents aspire to formal employment, highlighting their desire for stability while underscoring their frustration with limited opportunities.
The Citizen Journalism Project seeks to amplify these youth perspectives and translate them into actionable civic literacy programs. By equipping young people with data collection and storytelling skills, the project not only empowers them as watchdogs but also nurtures informed, active citizens.
“Strengthening civic literacy among youth is key to safeguarding Ghana’s democracy. Through responsible citizen journalism, young people can tell authentic stories, challenge leaders to be accountable, and inspire their peers to take action.”, said the Foundation.
With Ghana’s youth forming more than a third of the population, the Foundation believes such interventions are critical for building inclusive governance and sustainable development.
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