IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v8y2024i10p2573-2590.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the Perspectives of Ghanaian Youth on the Sustainable Development Goals: Awareness, Attitudes, and Practice

Author

Listed:
  • Alex Danso

    (PNAJ Research and Business Consult)

  • Erica Owusuaa

    (Department of Political Science, University of Education, Winneba)

Abstract

The United Nations recognizes the youths of today as essential stakeholders and vehicles through which the SDGs can be achieved. This is because the young people of today are going to be the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow. The knowledge and practice of the youth towards the SDGs is thus essential if we can achieve the SDGs. This study therefore examined the perspective of the youths in Ghana concerning the SDGs. Quantitative and explanatory research approaches were employed to gather and analyze data. The study administered a questionnaire through an online survey to 384 youths in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data with the aid of SPSS. The study found that there is a statistically significant relationship among awareness, attitude, and practices of the youths related to sustainable development. While there was a generally high level of awareness and a positive attitude, turning these into consistent sustainable practices remains an uphill task. The results show that Ghanaian youths have a positive attitude towards the SDGs, but in real life, convenience, cost, and lifestyle hinder them from fully acting on sustainability. The study therefore recommends that the government and other stakeholders implement robust educational campaigns that not only raise awareness but also instill in the youth the importance of making life changes and adopting sustainable behaviors. The government should provide incentives and subsidies to encourage businesses to produce green products which can make sustainable choices more convenient and accessible to the youths in Ghana. The government should also ensure strict environmental regulations. These measures can help in bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, ultimately fostering an environmentally conscious and sustainable society.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Danso & Erica Owusuaa, 2024. "Exploring the Perspectives of Ghanaian Youth on the Sustainable Development Goals: Awareness, Attitudes, and Practice," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(10), pages 2573-2590, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:8:y:2024:i:10:p:2573-2590
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-8-issue-10/2573-2590.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/exploring-the-perspectives-of-ghanaian-youth-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-awareness-attitudes-and-practice/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Sumberg & Louise Fox & Justin Flynn & Philip Mader & Marjoke Oosterom, 2021. "Africa’s “youth employment” crisis is actually a “missing jobs” crisis," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(4), pages 621-643, July.
    2. Moh, Yiing Chiee & Abd Manaf, Latifah, 2014. "Overview of household solid waste recycling policy status and challenges in Malaysia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 50-61.
    3. Hamed Taherdoost, 2022. "What are Different Research Approaches? Comprehensive Review of Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Research, Their Applications, Types, and Limitations," Post-Print hal-03741840, HAL.
    4. Balamuralithara Balakrishnan & Fumihiko Tochinai & Hidekazu Kanemitsu, 2020. "Perceptions and Attitudes towards Sustainable Development among Malaysian Undergraduates," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 9(1), pages 1-44, February.
    5. Bjoern Niehaves & Kevin Ortbach, 2016. "The inner and the outer model in explanatory design theory: the case of designing electronic feedback systems," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 303-316, July.
    6. Karl Pauw, 2022. "A review of Ghana’s planting for food and jobs program: implementation, impacts, benefits, and costs," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(5), pages 1321-1335, October.
    7. Park, Hyun Jung & Lin, Li Min, 2020. "Exploring attitude–behavior gap in sustainable consumption: comparison of recycled and upcycled fashion products," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 623-628.
    8. Liangrong Zu, 2020. "Fostering Social Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship for the Achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda: The Chinese Way," CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, in: Samuel O. Idowu & René Schmidpeter & Liangrong Zu (ed.), The Future of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, pages 341-365, Springer.
    9. Shaikha R. Al-Nuaimi & Sami G. Al-Ghamdi, 2022. "Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Sustainability Aspects among Higher Education Students in Qatar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    10. Breuer, Anita & Leininger, Julia & Malerba, Daniele & Tosun, Jale, 2023. "Integrated policymaking: Institutional designs for implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    11. Francisco Zamora-Polo & Jesús Sánchez-Martín & Mario Corrales-Serrano & Luis Espejo-Antúnez, 2019. "What Do University Students Know about Sustainable Development Goals? A Realistic Approach to the Reception of this UN Program Amongst the Youth Population," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-19, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Julie Bayle-Cordier & Loïc Berger & Rayan Elatmani & Massimo Tavoni, 2023. "Breath, Love, Walk? The Impact of Mindfulness Interventions on Climate Policy Support and Environmental Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-29, July.
    2. Zahra Fozouni Ardekani & Seyed Mohammad Javad Sobhani & Marcelo Werneck Barbosa & Ehsan Amiri-Ardekani & Samaneh Dehghani & Najmeh Sasani & Hans De Steur, 2024. "Determinants of household food waste behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran: an integrated model," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(10), pages 26205-26235, October.
    3. Thomas Dobbelstein & Carina Lochner, 2023. "Factors influencing purchase intention for recycled products: A comparative analysis of Germany and South Africa," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2256-2277, August.
    4. Bach Quang Ho & Yuki Inoue, 2020. "Driving Network Externalities in Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    5. Paola Clerici Maestosi & Monica Salvia & Filomena Pietrapertosa & Federica Romagnoli & Michela Pirro, 2024. "Implementation of Positive Energy Districts in European Cities: A Systematic Literature Review to Identify the Effective Integration of the Concept into the Existing Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-27, February.
    6. Tamara Vlastelica & Milica Kostić-Stanković & Tamara Rajić & Jelena Krstić & Tijana Obradović, 2023. "Determinants of Young Adult Consumers’ Environmentally and Socially Responsible Apparel Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Qixiang Yuan & Lin Sun, 2025. "Promoting Green R&D to Allow Green Products to Outcompete Non-Green Products: Subsidize Consumers or Manufacturers?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, January.
    8. Svenja Damberg & Ulla A. Saari & Morgane Fritz & Vytaute Dlugoborskyte & Katerina Božič, 2024. "Consumers' purchase behavior of Cradle to Cradle Certified® products—The role of trust and supply chain transparency," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 8280-8299, December.
    9. Tanko, Mohammed & Amfo, Bismark & Shafiwu, Adinan Bahahudeen, 2023. "Social norms perspective of agriculture technology adoption and welfare in Ghana: Extending multinomial endogenous treatment effect model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    10. Aleksandra Kowalska & Julia Wojciechowska-Solis & Milena Bieniek & Monika Ratajczyk & Louise Manning, 2023. "Declared non-buyers of organic food: A study of young British and Polish consumer profiles," Ekonomista, Polskie Towarzystwo Ekonomiczne, issue 1, pages 28-50.
    11. Fe Yoo & Hye Jung Jung & Kyung Wha Oh, 2021. "Motivators and Barriers for Buying Intention of Upcycled Fashion Products in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, February.
    12. Guillot-Valdés, María & Cuenca-Sánchez, Lorena & Sarhani-Robles, Aziz & Sánchez-Teruel, David & Serra, Lidia & Robles-Bello, María Auxiliadora, 2025. "Qualitative study on the perceptions and experiences of parents in early intervention centres in relation to family-centred practices," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    13. Janna Niens & Lisa Richter-Beuschel & Tobias C. Stubbe & Susanne Bögeholz, 2021. "Procedural Knowledge of Primary School Teachers in Madagascar for Teaching and Learning towards Land-Use- and Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-36, August.
    14. Umut Ünal & Rıfgı Buğra Bağcı & Mertcan Taşçıoğlu, 2024. "The perfect combination to win the competition: Bringing sustainability and customer experience together," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4806-4824, July.
    15. Yang Li & Dandan Yang & Yingying Liu, 2021. "The Effect of Message Framing on Consumers’ Intentions to Purchase Recycling-Aiding Products in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    16. Dangelico, Rosa Maria & Alvino, Letizia & Fraccascia, Luca, 2022. "Investigating the antecedents of consumer behavioral intention for sustainable fashion products: Evidence from a large survey of Italian consumers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    17. Tan, Lay Peng & Casidy, Riza & Arli, Denni, 2025. "Drivers of strategic green marketing orientation: An SME owner-manager perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    18. Filippo Corsini & Natalia Marzia Gusmerotti & Edoardo Bartoletti & Francesco Testa & Andrea Appolloni & Fabio Iraldo, 2024. "Addressing Plastic Concern: Behavioral Insights into Recycled Plastic Products and Packaging in a Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 1961-1981, September.
    19. Kutaula, Smirti & Gillani, Alvina & Leonidou, Leonidas C. & Christodoulides, Paul, 2022. "Integrating fair trade with circular economy: Personality traits, consumer engagement, and ethically-minded behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1087-1102.
    20. Elisa Chaleta & Margarida Saraiva & Fátima Leal & Isabel Fialho & António Borralho, 2021. "Higher Education and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)—Potential Contribution of the Undergraduate Courses of the School of Social Sciences of the University of Évora," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-10, February.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:8:y:2024:i:10:p:2573-2590. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Pawan Verma (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.