Social Media as a Tool for Civic Activism in Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to assess the role social media plays in civic activism in Ghana. It drew on recent actions or happenings that constitute civic activism and explored the relationship between them and social media. In effect, the study was aimed at identifying the role social media plays in terms of mobilizing and organizing people for demonstrations, which is a key component of civic activism in Ghana. The motivation for this study was derived from the significant roles social media played in major activities such as #DumsorMustStop vigil and #OccupyFlagstaff demonstration. The social network analysis and technological determinism theories underpinned this study, while some related literature were reviewed to identify how the current study relates to the previous existing scholarly materials on the subject. Through a survey of 100 respondents sampled from Madina, the study found out that social media tools are key cOlnponents of recent civic activisnl actions. One key finding was that social media platforms are used by sections of the citizens to post their sentiments and identify themselves with the sentiments of the demonstrators. This means that through social media, even people who are unable to be physically on the demonstration grounds are able to express their positions on the cause of the demonstrations. Furthermore, this study revealed that social media appear to be a faster, cheaper, convenient and efficient way of mobilizing people for civic activism. The study concluded that social Inedia, as new Inedia channels, have come to stay, hence it behoveson organizers of protests via social media to sensitize their members to avoid using abusive language and insults on their social nledia during civic activism discourse. This, in the view of the researcher. is necessary for ensuring proper dispassionate discussion of issues of national interest.