By Nii Armah ARDAY
This is the first of three (3) series of articles to be published in three (3) insertions. It is presented as an analysis of a survey conducted by the author. Its essential enquiry is to test voters desire of who will become the next President of Ghana in the 7th December 2024 national election.
The myriad of tribes and the importance given to it gives many a sense of belongingness and rightly so tribalism is embedded in the culture and tradition of a people. Being tribalistic in the truest sense makes one loyal to his ‘kith and kin’ rather than the other people. This is not lost on Ghanaians as our festival, marriage, naming ceremony and funerals draws us closely and reminds us once again of our tribes.
Politics with specific reference to Africa as a means of democratic dispensation further hones tribal affinity as many political parties are formed and triumphed on tribal lines. In Ghana, some tribes gravitate towards certain political parties to the extent that some has voraciously exclaimed that when you put objects in certain constituencies and wear them the party colours of that community it will win an election against human being of the other parties.
The survey adopted a quantitative methodology approach of administering eight (8) closed ended questions via WhatsApp. The response of two hundred and five (205) participants was collected within twenty-four (24) of the broadcasted questionnaires on 12th November, 2024.
In the foregoing paragraphs, I will present the survey findings in tables and analysis.
Gender Distribution
| Gender | No. |
| Male | 126 |
| Female | 79 |
| Total | 205 |
Source: Author’s fieldwork, 2024
Out of the two hundred and five (205) respondents, one hundred and twenty-six (126) were male and seventy-nine (79) were female gender. The difference in the gender ratio is not immediately known but can be akin to the fact that in Ghana the male gender is more active in party politics than the female gender though female voters are more than male voters per records of national elections.
More work must be done by the political parties to get more women to actively participate in politics not just as voters but by occupying political positions and doing more political advocacy; all encompassing. When more women are actively involved, their children (both male and female) who have attained voting age and their men participation ratio will increase. Perhaps in schools, clubs and societies, women participation in elections must be consciously heightened as stepping stones to national politics.
Age Distribution
| Years | No. |
| 20 – 25 | 16 |
| 26 – 30 | 36 |
| 31 – 35 | 36 |
| 36 – 40 | 69 |
| 40 – 50 | 28 |
| Above 50 | 20 |
| Total | 205 |
Source: Author’s fieldwork, 2024
From the table above, the youngest respondent to the survey is between the ages of 20 and 25 years. The limited age of respondents is above the minimum age of universal adult suffrage which is eighteen (18) years. It therefore enforces the point that respondents to this survey are matured and very well aware of what they were participating in whereupon their responses were intentional.
The most active age distribution was those between 36 and 40 years. This age bracket is significant because they are very vibrant in all spheres of live. Ages between 26 and 30 years, and 31 and 35 years respectively had thirty-six (36) respondents at par which is the second highest age distribution.
Considering that twenty (20) respondents are over fifty (50) years of age tells the enthusiasm Ghanaians have for the upcoming election. What may be motivating that enthusiasm will be known later in the survey report. 40 – 50 years of age respondents were twenty-eight (28) also a very welcoming number of fully grown and matured adults who are energic to push the democratic frontiers of Ghana.
Ethnic/Tribal Distribution
| Ethnic/Tribe | No. |
| GaDangme | 48 |
| Akan | 96 |
| Ewe | 36 |
| Northern | 9 |
| Other | 16 |
| Total | 205 |
Source: Author’s fieldwork, 2024
The Akan tribe is the highest distribution on the table with ninety-six (96) respondents. What could have accounted for that? Could it be because it is a cluster? It is not in doubt since statistical data from the last National Population Census puts the Akan tribe as the majority tribe in Ghana. Whether or not their huge numbers will influence their vote in tribal lines in the 2024 Presidential ballot will be seen later in this survey report.
Though the Ewe population is larger than the GaDangme population, it is not surprising that the GaDangme respondents are higher than the Ewe respondents in the ratio of 48:36. Could it be that the Greater Accra region being the capital city of Ghana influences GaDangme people’s (indigenes) participation in political activities?
This cannot be far from right. The North which comprises of five (5) regions all together had only nine (9) respondents. Sixteen (16) respondents who did not identify with any of the four (4) tribes indicated in the questionnaire marked their tribe as other. A future survey will explore what the other tribes are.
The fulcrum of this particular survey report is the question “will your choice of the next President be based on your tribe?”. The response of participants on the table below is telling.
Distribution of Tribal Choice of a President
| Response | No. |
| Yes | 4 |
| No | 201 |
| Total | 205 |
Source: Author’s fieldwork, 2024
It can easily be argued that both Presidential Candidates of the two (2) leading parties are from Northern regions and therefore there must be tribal apathy among voters. Amazingly votes from the five (5) Northern regions is not compared to that of the Ashanti region. The Greater Accra region leads with the highest voter population in Ghana.
That even though both running mates of the two (2) leading parties are Akan, it still does not strike the tribal chords of prospective voters who participated in this survey. What could have accounted for the non-tribal sentiments? Probably they are rallying around our democracy as the ultimate option to development.
If the content of the table of distribution of tribal choice of a President is a reflection of the country’s mood, there is likely to be a big surprise to parties who are counting their electoral fortunes because of tribal permutation. Tribal sentiments may not triumph in the 2024 Presidential election as it may have been in the past. What this mean is that 2024 voters are looking for better options other than tribal anecdotes.
In conclusion, a sense of nationhood seems to be emerging around our politics. Ghanaians were united around the Black Stars (the senior national football team) but since the team seems to be in a perpetual coma, politics is becoming the alternative to rally around.
That we may have our political difference but the deep fog of politics based on tribe is giving way to the morning glory of development options and the one who holds the trump card will be given the mandate. The death of tribal politics is nearer than expected; in a sense death before dishonour.
