Factors Affecting Youth Involvement in Community Development in the Ho West District of the Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the factors that affect youth involvement in community development at Kpedze, in the Ho West District of the Volta Region of Ghana. A mixed method approach was used in conducting the study. Concurrent Nested Strategy design was adopted for the study. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 100 respondents for the study. The study was guided by the Social Systems Theory, which explains youth participation as a product of interactions among family, peer, institutional and socio economic systems. A three point Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and analysed using descriptive statistics in which frequencies and percentages were used. Qualitative data w as gathered through the use of a semi structured interview guide and subjected to content analysis using themes developed from the data collected . The findings revealed that family, peer groups, religious institutions and community leadership structures collectively influenced the extent of youth participation in community development activities. It was concluded that the youth are an essential resource for sustainable community development whose level of participation is shaped by interconnected social systems , which thus emphasises the need for inclusive structures that promote their active participation in decision making and local development processes. The study recommends that the National Youth Authority and advocacy groups reinforce their sensitization programmes in communities on the need for stakeholders to promote full and independent involvement of the youth in community development.