Beyond Political Pastime: Prof. Oquaye’s Call for Serious Youth Engagement in Ghana

Introduction: The Urgent Need for a New Political Mindset

In a powerful address at a recent workshop in Accra, Ghana, former Speaker of Parliament and respected academic, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, delivered a message that transcends partisan politics and speaks directly to the nation’s future. His core directive was clear and compelling: young Ghanaians with an interest in politics must move beyond treating it as a mere political pastime and instead cultivate a deep, substantive, and philosophically grounded commitment to public service. This plea was not made in a vacuum. It formed the centerpiece of the official launch of a significant, European Union-funded initiative—the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) project—implemented in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana and the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP). This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized analysis of Prof. Oquaye’s remarks, the structural goals of the WYDE project, and the broader imperative for youth political participation in Ghana and across Africa. We will dissect the call for technocratic governance, examine the challenges of an ageing political leadership, and provide practical advice for aspiring young leaders seeking meaningful impact.

Key Points: Core Takeaways from the Workshop

The event yielded several critical, interconnected messages for stakeholders in Ghana’s democratic development:

From Pastime to Profession: The Philosophical Imperative

Prof. Oquaye explicitly challenged young people to avoid superficial engagement. He advocated for a transition from passive interest to active, knowledgeable contribution, rooted in the study of political philosophy, governance structures, and the foundational ideals that underpin effective statecraft.

Bridging Theory and Practice: The Role of Mentorship

Both project partners and youth leaders emphasized that theoretical knowledge must be coupled with practical mentorship. Experienced politicians serve as crucial links, translating abstract principles into actionable political strategy and ethical conduct.

Addressing the Ageing Leadership Demographic

A significant, globally recognized concern was highlighted: political party structures and decision-making forums are disproportionately populated by older generations. This creates a democratic deficit and stifles forward-looking policy visions that resonate with younger populations.

Structured Capacity Building for Systemic Change

The WYDE project represents a structured, long-term (six-month) investment in a select cohort of young leaders. Its aim is not just to train individuals but to foster inclusive policy development and strengthen internal party democracy—addressing systemic barriers to youth and women’s participation.

Background: The WYDE Project and the Democratic Participation Gap

To understand Prof. Oquaye’s remarks, one must contextualize them within a specific, well-funded intervention designed to address a persistent challenge.

The Genesis and Funding of WYDE

The Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) project is a flagship initiative financed by the European Union. Its implementation is a collaborative effort between the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), a German political foundation with a global reach promoting Christian Democratic values, and the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP). The choice of partners signals an emphasis on ideologically informed, yet pragmatic, political education.

Target Cohort and Geographic Scope

While launched in Ghana, WYDE has a continental ambition to strengthen inclusive policies across Africa. The first cohort in Ghana consists of 30 young leaders meticulously selected from universities and prominent political student groups, including the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN), the Tertiary Students Confederacy Network (TESCON), and the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS). This selection ensures participants are already embedded within political ecosystems.

The Core Problem: Exclusion Despite Numbers

Ghana, like many democracies, has a youthful population—approximately 57% are under 25. Yet, this demographic reality is not mirrored in political leadership, party executives, or parliamentary seats. Barriers include financial constraints, entrenched patronage systems, a perceived culture of disrespect for youth voices, and a lack of structured pathways for advancement. WYDE directly targets these obstacles through training, mentorship, and networking.

Analysis: Deconstructing Prof. Oquaye’s “Useful Pastime” Mandate

Prof. Oquaye’s speech is rich with implication. Let’s analyze its key components and their significance for political leadership development.

“Study to become the technocratic governors of tomorrow”

This is a direct call for expertise. A technocrat is someone who governs based on technical knowledge and specialized skill rather than purely ideological or populist rhetoric. In the Ghanaian context, this implies mastery of:

• Parliamentary Procedure and Law: Understanding how bills are crafted, debated, and passed; committee systems; and constitutional limits of power.
• Public Finance and Budgeting: Comprehending the national budget, public procurement, and fiscal policy to advocate for sustainable development.
• Policy Analysis and Formulation: The ability to diagnose a social or economic problem, evaluate evidence, and design evidence-based policy solutions.
• Political Philosophy: Engaging with ideas from liberalism, social democracy, conservatism, and African political thought to build a coherent personal and party ideology.

“The politics of the future must not be about differences… come together for a stance towards the advancement of our people”

Here, Prof. Oquaye diagnoses a chronic issue in Ghanaian politics: excessive polarization and personality-driven conflict. He advocates for a pivot to issue-based politics. This means:

• Moving beyond “winning” arguments to finding common ground on national challenges like unemployment, infrastructure, and education.
• Building cross-party coalitions on specific national development agendas.
• Measuring political success by tangible improvements in citizens’ lives (health, income, security) rather than by the defeat of an opponent.

The “Ageing Leadership” Challenge: A Global and Local Phenomenon

Gary Klaukka of ENoP correctly identifies a universal trend. In many established political parties, the average age of leadership is rising. This leads to:

• A Vision Gap: Older leaders may be less attuned to the digital economy, climate anxiety, and new social norms that define the emerging generation.
• A Renewal Crisis: Without deliberate succession planning, parties risk becoming irrelevant to younger voters.
• Risk Aversion: Long-tenured leaders may be less willing to champion bold, transformative changes that could disrupt their own power base.

Prof. Oquaye’s and Mr. Klaukka’s combined message is that youth inclusion is not a favor but a democratic necessity for long-term system resilience and innovation.

Practical Advice: How Young Ghanaians Can Be “Useful” in Politics

Based on the principles outlined at the workshop, here is actionable guidance for young Ghanaians committed to meaningful political engagement:

1. Pursue Deliberate Knowledge Acquisition

• Formal Education: Enroll in courses on political science, public administration, law, economics, and development studies at university.
• Self-Study: Read seminal texts (e.g., Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, works by Kwame Nkrumah, J.B. Danquah, modern political theory). Follow reputable think-tanks like IMANI Ghana or CDD-Ghana for policy analysis.
• Master the Rules: Study the constitutions and internal regulations of your chosen political party. Know the processes for primaries, delegate conferences, and policy formulation.

2. Engage in Structured Capacity-Building Programs

• Actively seek out and apply for programs like WYDE, KAS’s youth programs, or similar initiatives by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) or International Republican Institute (IRI).
• These programs provide not just training but crucial networking opportunities with peers and mentors across the political spectrum.

3. Start at the Grassroots, but Think Systemically

• Engage in community mobilization, local party ward work, or student union politics. Understand the immediate concerns of market women, farmers, and urban youth.
• Simultaneously, study how local issues connect to national budgets, ministerial portfolios, and international agreements (e.g., trade deals, climate accords).

4. Champion Issue-Based, Not Personality-Based, Politics

• Identify 2-3 core issues you are passionate about (e.g., STEM education for girls, mental health policy, SME financing).
• Develop expertise and clear policy positions on these issues. Advocate for them consistently, regardless of which party is in power.
• Build coalitions with other youth groups, CSOs, and even sympathetic elders around these specific issues.

5. cultivate Integrity and Patience

• Prof. Oquaye’s emphasis on “ideals and values” is a reminder that ethical leadership is non-negotiable. Build a reputation for honesty and consistency.
• Understand that political change is incremental. Be prepared for long-term struggle, not overnight success. The six-month WYDE program is a start, but the journey is a marathon.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions on Youth Political Engagement

Q1: Is it possible to be “technocratic” and still connect with ordinary voters who may not care about policy details?

A: Absolutely. The role of a technocratic leader is not to lecture with jargon but to translate complex policies into tangible benefits. Instead of discussing “fiscal decentralization,” explain how it will lead to faster repairs of local roads and better-equipped community clinics. The expertise informs the message; the message must be accessible.

Q2: What if my political party’s internal democracy is weak and resistant to youth inclusion?

A: This is a common and valid challenge. The strategy is two-fold: First, work from within to build a record of service and a coalition of supporters (both young and old) based on your competence and issue-based work. Second, leverage external platforms like civil society, media, and social movements to advocate for internal party reforms on youth and women’s quotas, transparent primaries, and term limits for party executives.

Q3: Does focusing on “issue-based politics” mean I cannot have a partisan affiliation?

A: Not necessarily. You can be a committed party member while insisting that your party’s platform and actions be driven by evidence-based solutions to national problems. You can be a loyalist who holds the party to a higher standard, using your expertise to critique and improve party policies from within. The goal is to make the party’s ideology and policies serve the people’s advancement, not the other way around.

Q4: How can young women specifically navigate the added barriers of gender discrimination in politics?

A: The WYDE project’s dual focus is critical. Young women should: 1) Seek out female mentorship networks (formal and informal), 2) Develop a thick skin and strategic resilience, 3) Build alliances with male champions of gender equality, 4) Leverage the specific mandate of projects like WYDE to gain skills and platforms, and 5) Advocate fiercely for gender-responsive budgeting and policies that address structural inequalities, using data and personal narratives powerfully.

Conclusion: From Workshop to Nation-Building

Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye’s clarion call at the WYDE launch is more than ceremonial advice; it is a diagnostic of Ghana’s democratic health and a prescription for its future. The transition from treating politics as a political pastime to embracing it as a serious, knowledge-intensive vocation is essential for producing the technocratic governors who can solve complex 21st-century problems. The WYDE project, with its blend of theoretical grounding, practical mentorship, and focus on internal party democracy, provides a vital vehicle for this transformation. However, the ultimate responsibility lies with the youth themselves to pursue relentless self-education, anchor their activism in irrefutable facts and ethical values, and persistently push for an issue-based politics that prioritizes national advancement over partisan bickering. The demographic dividend of a youthful population can only be realized if that youth is equipped, empowered, and determined to govern not just for the next election cycle, but for generations to come. The journey from the workshop hall in Accra to the chambers of Parliament and the offices of ministries begins with a single, deliberate step: the decision to become truly useful.

Sources and Further Reading

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