The world was on its feet when Gen Z took over Kenya. The stakes were high, and our curiosity rose even higher when Nigerians started their own Gen Z protests against the high cost of living and the unemployment bedevilling them. The common factors were the same, and this made many Ghanaians wonder if the fire of Gen Z demonstrators would finally spread to Ghana – but we are yet to see.
About Gen Z
Gen Z are those aged 13 to 25. Like Baby Boomers and Millennials, they have unique traits and characteristics. In particular, Gen Z were born at the same time as the internet and this makes them well-versed in information technology and social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).
Moreover, Gen Z are usually confident with online transactions compared to the Millennials who are more reserved in this field. The use of cryptocurrency is also higher among Gen Z, and they know how to use both the internet and information technology.
Over 90% of Gen Z in Ghana have an iPhone and they will happily watch an entire Netflix movie on it. They also use their iPhones to communicate, trade and state their political views. Millennials grew up with Android phones and this is another stark difference between the age groups.
Gen Z culture
Growing up as a Millennial myself, I know that we were obsessed with Hollywood and HipHop Culture. Our mode of dressing, walking and slanging mimicked the lifestyle of Afro-Americans. However, the Gen Zs of contemporary Ghana have carved a niche for themselves. They are aware of other global cultures, but they prefer African Culture. Their choice of music and dancing is 100 percent African and is quite different from their predecessors’ choice.
So Ghanaian Gen Z incorporate a lot of melody with high notes in their music. No wonder that Afro Beat is now the dominant genre in Africa and across the world. Musical artistes like Black Sheriff, Kuami Eugene, Jacky, OliveTheBoy, KiDi and many more have transcended the Continent with their powerful music.
Whereas LGBTQI activities are taboo for most Ghanaian Millennials, Gen Zs tend to be OK with it. Their attitude is “Mind Your Own Business”. In fact, most Cross Dressers on social media seem to attract views and engagements mainly from Gen Zs.
Education and employment
Almost all Ghanaian Gen Zs are beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School policy introduced in 2017 by President Akufo-Addo’s administration. This made the youth of Ghana one of the most sophisticated in Africa. However, the sheer numbers of Gen Zs pouring from higher educational institutions has added to the unemployment menace. According to the Ghana Statistical Service (2023), the unemployment rate among those aged 15 to 19 is 34.6% compared to just 11.4% for those aged 35 to 39.
So in the cities most Gen Zs can be found on the streets hawking or working as washing bay attendants, public transport assistants (‘Driver’s Mates’) and Okada (motorcycle taxi) drivers. Many are involved in mining – whether legal or not. And of course there are a few bad nuts who use their IT knowledge to engage in online scamming. Very few are employed in agriculture.
Politics
Most parents indoctrinate their children according to their tribe, religion and party affiliation, and most people therefore continue to vote for the two main parties – the NPP and the NDC. This has created a wave of hopelessness as these two parties have mismanaged the country for more than three decades.
However, 2024 is an election year and both parties are targeting Gen Z, most of whom will be voting for the first time. It remains to be seen whether Gen Z will vote like their parents or surprise the nation by voting for some completely different party.
Drugs
An influx of drugs has overtaken the entire sub-region. While most millennials chose marijuana as their recreational drug, Gen Z access over-the-counter drugs such as tramadol, benalin and codeine (found in cough mixture). They take these drugs during house parties, raves, and concerts, and in the slums and ghettos as well as in the clubs. This means their parents do not become aware of this vice which – along with Gen Zs’ worries about unemployment, inflation and environmental degradation – affects the mental health of many Gen Zs.
Religion
Religion still dominates Ghana and indeed the entire continent. Parents indoctrinate their children while the media landscape is dominated by religious leaders. This has led most of Gen Z to accept the old religious beliefs handed down by past generations. But as the internet exposes a succession of religious charlatans, some Gen Zs have distanced themselves from religion and profess to be spiritual but not religious.
However, there are many skeptics among the Gen Zs and the number of Gen Z agnostics and atheists is surprising. Irrespective of their educational status, these ‘Freethinkers’ – as they usually call themselves – are a force to be reckoned with. They are bringing about a more secular and liberalized Ghana.
Gen Z rises
The Rise of the Gen Z is nigh. Behold, the digital natives are here. They are not only pursuing their own narrow interests. They are seeking freedom and new ways of living. Let’s prepare the way for them.
By Apiajei Danka