Chapter 10 The Youth and Elections in Contemporary Ghana As indicated earlier in this chapter, young persons in Ghana are actively involved in the political development and electoral processes. It is important to indicate that the youth are involved in politics at various levels of national life. In terms of public policy­making, youth groups such as the National Union of Ghana Students(NUGS) continue to make efforts aimed at influencing certain policies and decisions by government and state or non­state agencies. Essentially, they do so because such policies and decisions directly or indirectly affect their members and communities. NUGS and other student groups have on various occasions protested over issues such as fee increments and strike actions by lecturers. Again, it is important to note that much of the discussion in this section focuses on youth involvement in politics and especially in relation to the activities of the electoral cycle. Subject to the above context of the discussion, it is worth noting that much of what the youth offer in politics largely revolves around elections and the electoral cycle, both at the national and local levels, as they demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm and support for the cause of politicians and the political parties that they identify with. The importance of the role of the youth in political party activities cannot be over-emphasized as they provide an invaluable and vibrant resource for the parties. Almost every stage of the electoral cycle is characterized by some form of youth involvement, both at party and inter-party levels. They play critical roles spanning the organization, conduct and outcome of elections, including serving as party agents for polling and 318