IDENTITY POLITICS AND ELECTORAL OUTCOMES IN GHANA: THE INTERPLAY OF ETHNICITY, RELIGION, AND POLITICAL MOBILISATION
Abstract
Purpose of Study: This study examines how ethnicity and religion shape voting patterns and political mobilization, highlighting both the empowering and polarizing effects of identity-based political engagement.
Problem Statement: In Ghana’s Odododiodioo Constituency, where ethnic and religious affiliations are deeply embedded in the socio-political fabric, identity politics significantly influences electoral outcomes. Identity politics has become a defining feature of electoral competition in democracies, shaping voter behaviour, candidate strategies, and political party mobilization.
Methodology: Anchored in Social Identity Theory and Ethnic Voting Theory the study employs a qualitative research approach, using semi-structured interviews with 30 participants, including voters, community leaders, and political party representatives.
Results: Findings indicate that ethnic identity remains a dominant determinant of voter preference, with candidates leveraging ethnic affiliations to consolidate support. Religious identity also plays a crucial role, as churches and mosques actively influence political engagement through endorsements and community mobilization. While identity politics enhances political representation, it also fosters electoral divisions, reinforcing a winner-takes-all system that sidelines broader policy considerations. The study highlights the dual nature of identity politics, serving as both a vehicle for representation and a potential source of political fragmentation.
Conclusion: The paper concludes by offering policy recommendations, urging political actors to adopt inclusive campaign strategies that transcend ethnic and religious lines. It also advocates for media literacy programs and civic education initiatives to encourage issue-based voting. The study contributes to scholarship on African electoral politics, providing insights into how identity politics shapes governance, democracy, and national cohesion in pluralistic societies.
Keywords: Identity politics, Electoral behaviour, Ethnic voting, Political mobilisation, Ghana
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