by Tracy Kuperus and Richard Asante
Abstract
This article focuses on how Christianity impacts youth understandings of citizenship and political engagement in Ghana. Based on field work carried out in Ghana in 2018 involving focus groups and church elite interviews, Ghanaian youth affiliated with mainline and charismatic traditions can articulate religious messaging regarding political engagement, but their own notions of citizenship are informed independently. Second, infrequent churchgoers are more cognizant of their rights and notions of active citizenship compared with frequent churchgoers. Finally, some of the most engrained attitudes toward citizenship among African youth appear to be rooted in class rather than religion.
Tracy Kuperus is Professor of Political Science and Global Development at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. Her research interests include religion and politics, democratization, and citizen mobilization.
Richard Asante is a Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Ghana. He is affiliated with the Institute of African Studies. His research interests include democratization, youth participation, ethnicity, and China-West African relations.