AN ASSESSMENT OF ETHNICITY IN POLITICS IN THE DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION OF GHANA: THE CASE OF AHAFO-ANO NORTH CONSTITUENCY

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to examine the relationship between ethnicity and politics in the Ahafo-Ano North constituency of the Ashanti Region. More specifically, the study sought to ascertain the origin of ethnicity in Ahafo-Ano North Constituency’s politics and to examine the role of ethnocentrism in Ahafo-Ano North Constituency’s politics as well as determine the ways of minimizing ethnicity in Ahafo-Ano North Constituency’s politics. The study used a qualitative approachh. A sample size of 80 respondents was employed using the non-probability sampling technique. Both primary and secondary sources of data were collected for this study. Primary data were gathered through fieldwork. Supportive materials and research works from text books, sources from the library, and articles available online were also used. The findings revealed that the post-independence idea that led to the establishment of ethnic based political parties is the birth of tribal politics. It showed that tribal politics is not a recent development. Historically, NPP and NDC are noted for counting on tribal politics to gain the attention of the masses. It was found that the activities of the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC are woven around the people of the Upper Regions, Volta, Ashanti and other Akan dominated communities in the country. It was also revealed that the central government can handle ethnicity in politics by preventing formation of political parties on ethnic background. It was recommended that the most reliable way to handle tribal politics is for authorities to restrict people from forming or carrying out their political activities on ethnic basis.