Youth identity is a critical aspect of social cohesion in urban African contexts, particularly in Ghanaian cities where rapid demographic changes and economic challenges intersect with traditional cultural practices. A mixed-methods approach was adopted for this study, involving surveys with a stratified sample of youths aged 18-25 across five major cities in Ghana. Qualitative interviews complemented the quantitative data to capture nuanced perspectives on identity and political engagement. The survey revealed that youth who identified strongly with their cultural heritage were more likely to participate actively in local politics, whereas those experiencing a gap between traditional values and modern urban lifestyles reported lower levels of civic participation (42% vs. 18%). This study contributes to the literature by emphasising the importance of culturally anchored identities as facilitators of political engagement among young people in Ghanaian urban settings. Policy makers should consider integrating cultural heritage education into school curricula and community development programmes, fostering a sense of shared identity that can enhance civic participation. Youth Identity, Political Participation, Urban Africa, Ghana, Cultural Heritage
Asante et al. (Wed,) studied this question.