Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has provided insight into the significant loss of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7, 2024 elections, attributing it to the growing dissatisfaction among the youth and other segments of the population.

Speaking on BBC’s Newsday with James Copnall, M.anifest highlighted the increasing frustration felt by citizens, particularly the younger generation, regarding the country’s governance under the previous administration.

M.anifest began by reflecting on the widespread protests that occurred during the last administration, noting that the youth, especially, took to the streets to voice their concerns.

He pointed to protests surrounding illegal mining, among other issues, as a sign of the rising discontent. “I do think if you saw in the last administration, the youth especially took to the streets. There were protests about illegal mining and so many other things,” M.anifest remarked.

The rapper stressed that young people in Ghana are increasingly vocal about the issues they face, particularly unemployment. He noted that youth unemployment is disproportionately high, with rates nearly double that of the general population.

“Unemployment is high, twice as much in the youth in Ghana. I think they are beginning to express their voice more frequently.

“We don’t wait for every four years to express that voice through votes,” he added, explaining how Ghanaians, especially the younger demographic, have become more proactive in holding their leaders accountable.

M.anifest went on to emphasize the shift in how accountability is now viewed by the public. “I do think there is a sense of everyday accountability that we are moving towards. That there is a sense of urgency that people feel,” he said.

His words suggest that citizens are no longer waiting for election seasons to demand change, and that a more consistent and sustained form of accountability is emerging.

While M.anifest acknowledged the youth-led protests, he pointed out that the dissatisfaction with the government extends beyond just the younger generation.

“It’s not only young people that are unhappy about the operations of the current government,” he explained.

“We have seen pensioners in the last four years also go out on the streets.” This indicates that the discontent with the government’s performance was widespread, affecting various age groups in Ghana, from the youth to the elderly.

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