A new survey by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation has revealed that 93% of Ghanaian youth are concerned about the possibility of armed groups crossing into the country and destabilising Ghana, one of West Africa’s most peaceful nations.
The findings also show that 91% of young Ghanaians are worried about illegal immigration and human trafficking, reflecting growing concerns about regional security threats and cross-border criminal activities.
The survey, which examined youth perspectives on governance, security, economic conditions, international relations and Ghana’s future, however, found a significant improvement in young people’s confidence about the direction of the country.
Rising optimism about Ghana’s direction
According to the report, 72% of Ghanaian youth believe the country is moving in the right direction, representing a sharp increase from the 21% recorded in 2024.
The renewed optimism is also reflected in views about the national economy, with 72% of respondents expressing confidence in Ghana’s current economic direction.
This marks a significant improvement from 2024, when only about 24% of young people expressed confidence in the economy.
On Ghana’s future outlook, 73% of respondents said they were optimistic about the country’s prospects, compared with 26% in the previous survey.
At the continental level, 60% of Ghanaian youth believe Africa is moving in the right direction.
Concerns over employment opportunities have also declined, with 26 per cent of respondents identifying jobs as a major concern, compared with 60 per cent in 2024.
Security concerns remain high
Despite the positive outlook, security concerns remain a major issue among Ghana’s youth.
The survey showed that fears over armed groups entering Ghana and destabilising the country remain widespread, with 93% of respondents expressing concern.
Similarly, 91% of young Ghanaians said they were worried about illegal migration and human trafficking.
However, Ghana continues to enjoy strong confidence among its young population in terms of personal safety.
About 90% of respondents said they feel safe living in Ghana, ranking the country third highest in Africa on security confidence behind Rwanda and Zambia.
The survey further revealed that 79% of young Ghanaians believe they are safer today than they were in 2023.
Additionally, eight out of 10 respondents said they believe they are treated fairly and respectfully by the police and other security agencies.
About 76% also believe that all citizens are treated equally under the law.
Youth support stronger political participation
The survey highlighted growing confidence among Ghanaian youth in their ability to influence national decisions.
About 85% of respondents believe their voices matter to national leaders, with 50 per cent strongly agreeing and 35% somewhat agreeing.
A further 94% believe young people have the ability to influence political decisions and shape issues affecting their lives within the next five years.
On leadership and representation, eight out of 10 respondents said Ghana would be better governed if more women occupied senior positions in government.
However, the survey also revealed tensions between demands for effective governance and democratic processes.
About 60% of respondents said they would prefer a government that delivers results quickly, even if some democratic processes are bypassed, rather than one that strictly follows democratic procedures but delivers results slowly.
The survey also found that 66 per cent of young Ghanaians support non-peaceful protests or actions that result in political change, with 40% strongly agreeing and 26% somewhat agreeing.
Global powers maintain strong influence
In foreign relations, Ghanaian youth believe the world is becoming increasingly divided, although 42% believe global cooperation is improving.
The survey showed strong awareness of foreign influence in Ghana, with 95% of respondents recognising the influence of both the United States and China.
Among those who recognised US influence, 86% viewed it positively, while 80% had a positive perception of China’s influence.
However, 68% of respondents expressed concern that the United States could disregard international law in pursuit of access to Ghana’s natural resources.
On the reduction of US foreign aid and the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 41% of young Ghanaians said they believed the move could have a positive impact by encouraging national leaders to address domestic challenges independently.
International institutions enjoy strong recognition
The survey showed high levels of awareness and approval of major international institutions among Ghanaian youth.
The United Nations (UN) recorded about 90% recognition, with a similar proportion supporting reforms to the UN Security Council to include permanent African representation.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also recorded 90% recognition among respondents, while the World Trade Organisation (WTO) recorded 85 per cent.
The European Union (EU) was recognised by 75% of respondents, with 95% of those respondents rating its influence positively.
Awareness of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stood at 35% among Ghanaian youth, the second highest level on the continent, largely due to Ghana hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat.
Among those aware of the initiative, respondents expressed strong optimism about its potential to contribute to Ghana’s economic growth.
Democracy and governance views
The survey revealed strong belief among Ghanaian youth in democratic participation and their role in national development.
About 85 per cent believe their opinions matter to political leaders, while 94% are confident that young people can influence political decisions in the coming years.
The findings also showed strong support for increased female representation in leadership positions.
However, the preference for faster government results over strict democratic procedures suggests growing frustration among young people with the pace of governance and development.
Ghana youth remain hopeful
Overall, the Ichikowitz Family Foundation survey paints a picture of a Ghanaian youth population that is increasingly confident about the country’s direction while remaining concerned about security threats, economic opportunities and governance challenges.
The findings suggest that while young Ghanaians see significant potential in Ghana’s future, they expect stronger leadership, greater economic opportunities and institutions capable of responding effectively to national challenges.
