This study investigates the impact of ethnic-based politics on Ghanaian elections, particularly as the country approaches its December 2024 elections. Despite significant strides in democratization, Ghana’s political landscape remains deeply influenced by ethnic affiliations, which pose challenges to national unity and democratic consolidation. Through a mixed-methods approach combining surveys, interviews, focus groups, and content analysis, this research examines the extent of ethnic-based voting, the effectiveness of electoral reforms, and the role of civic education in mitigating ethnic political mobilization. Quantitative data analysis reveals persistent ethnic voting patterns, with a significant proportion of voters influenced by the ethnic backgrounds of candidates. However, the data also indicates that electoral reforms and civic education initiatives have begun to reduce the salience of ethnicity in voting behavior. Qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups highlight the complexities of ethnic politics and the need for inclusive political practices to foster national cohesion. The study underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to addressing ethnic-based politics, involving electoral reforms, continuous civic education, and responsible media coverage. By promoting transparency, fairness, and inclusivity, Ghana can move towards a more democratic and united political environment. The findings offer valuable implications for policymakers, political parties, civil society organizations, and the electorate in the lead-up to the 2024 elections and beyond.
| Published in | Research & Development (Volume 5, Issue 4) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14 |
| Page(s) | 121-134 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Electoral Reforms, Ethnic-Based Politics, Ghana’s 2024 Elections, Content Analysis, Voting Patterns
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APA Style
Salifu, H. A. H. (2024). Ethnic-Based Politics and Electoral Reforms in Ghana: Pathways to a United Democracy. Research & Development, 5(4), 121-134. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14
ACS Style
Salifu, H. A. H. Ethnic-Based Politics and Electoral Reforms in Ghana: Pathways to a United Democracy. Res. Dev. 2024, 5(4), 121-134. doi: 10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14
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Download@article{10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14,
author = {Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu},
title = {Ethnic-Based Politics and Electoral Reforms in Ghana: Pathways to a United Democracy
},
journal = {Research & Development},
volume = {5},
number = {4},
pages = {121-134},
doi = {10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.rd.20240504.14},
abstract = {This study investigates the impact of ethnic-based politics on Ghanaian elections, particularly as the country approaches its December 2024 elections. Despite significant strides in democratization, Ghana’s political landscape remains deeply influenced by ethnic affiliations, which pose challenges to national unity and democratic consolidation. Through a mixed-methods approach combining surveys, interviews, focus groups, and content analysis, this research examines the extent of ethnic-based voting, the effectiveness of electoral reforms, and the role of civic education in mitigating ethnic political mobilization. Quantitative data analysis reveals persistent ethnic voting patterns, with a significant proportion of voters influenced by the ethnic backgrounds of candidates. However, the data also indicates that electoral reforms and civic education initiatives have begun to reduce the salience of ethnicity in voting behavior. Qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups highlight the complexities of ethnic politics and the need for inclusive political practices to foster national cohesion. The study underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to addressing ethnic-based politics, involving electoral reforms, continuous civic education, and responsible media coverage. By promoting transparency, fairness, and inclusivity, Ghana can move towards a more democratic and united political environment. The findings offer valuable implications for policymakers, political parties, civil society organizations, and the electorate in the lead-up to the 2024 elections and beyond.
},
year = {2024}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Ethnic-Based Politics and Electoral Reforms in Ghana: Pathways to a United Democracy AU - Hafiz Abdul Hamid Salifu Y1 - 2024/12/25 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14 DO - 10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14 T2 - Research & Development JF - Research & Development JO - Research & Development SP - 121 EP - 134 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2994-7057 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rd.20240504.14 AB - This study investigates the impact of ethnic-based politics on Ghanaian elections, particularly as the country approaches its December 2024 elections. Despite significant strides in democratization, Ghana’s political landscape remains deeply influenced by ethnic affiliations, which pose challenges to national unity and democratic consolidation. Through a mixed-methods approach combining surveys, interviews, focus groups, and content analysis, this research examines the extent of ethnic-based voting, the effectiveness of electoral reforms, and the role of civic education in mitigating ethnic political mobilization. Quantitative data analysis reveals persistent ethnic voting patterns, with a significant proportion of voters influenced by the ethnic backgrounds of candidates. However, the data also indicates that electoral reforms and civic education initiatives have begun to reduce the salience of ethnicity in voting behavior. Qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups highlight the complexities of ethnic politics and the need for inclusive political practices to foster national cohesion. The study underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to addressing ethnic-based politics, involving electoral reforms, continuous civic education, and responsible media coverage. By promoting transparency, fairness, and inclusivity, Ghana can move towards a more democratic and united political environment. The findings offer valuable implications for policymakers, political parties, civil society organizations, and the electorate in the lead-up to the 2024 elections and beyond. VL - 5 IS - 4 ER -
Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
