Social protest and the middle class in Ghana: a social movement approach of three cases

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines the connection between middle class and social protest by three Ghanaian cases: A protest in the 1890s organised by members of the middle class laid the foundation for political action, which finally led to Ghana’s independence. In 1978, members of the middle class protested a model called Union Government by which the then military head of state Acheampong sought to perpetuate the military into government. In 2014, activists protested frequent power cuts, rising fuel prices and an economic crisis. Following this demonstration, several new middle-class groups evolved, among them ‘Occupy Ghana’. This article looks at the protests and its leadership: How does the activists’ class status relate to forms and practices of protest and resistance? By answering this question, the paper will discuss the specific interests and mobilisations for protest of middle-class activists in Ghana.