Research Reveals Youth Apathy in Governance as Ghana Marks African Statistics Day

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In observance of African Statistics Day, the Upper West Regional Office of the Ghana Statistical Service unveiled key research findings in their Governance Series Wave 2 Report addressing issues of corruption and citizen participation in governance. The report presented by the Regional Statistician Mr. John Gambo, the study highlights the critical role of infrastructure investment and citizen engagement in national development.

Upper West Regional Statiscian Mr. John Gambo

Mr. Gambo emphasized that many Ghanaians prioritize infrastructure development, urging the government to focus critically on this area. However, the research also uncovered a concerning trend: young people aged 18 to 24 exhibit significant reluctance to participate in governance-related activities, raising questions about youth engagement in national matters.

The forum was well-attended by various civil society organizations, which applauded the Ghana Statistical Service for its rigorous research. Leenat Kondaribuo , the CEO of Teen Talk Ghana, a local NGO based in Wa and Suleman Agana, the programs officer of plan Ghana underscored the importance of such data for advocacy and fundraising efforts aimed at addressing critical national issues. They called for increased collaboration between civil society groups and government institutions to effectively combat corruption and marginalization.

Representing the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Madam Zaid Ayisha, spoke on behalf of Hajia Fati Korey, the Regional Coordinating Director. She noted that the research findings are invaluable tools for shaping and refining policies, ultimately enhancing governance and development processes in the region.

The Ghana Statistical Service Governance Series Wave 2 Report underscores the need for targeted strategies to increase youth participation and leverage data-driven approaches in governance reforms across Ghana.