Government has welcomed the findings of the governance survey carried out by Department of Political Sciences at the country’s premier tertiary institution; the University of Ghana indicating that if elections were carried out this year the incumbent will win hands down.
Reacting to the survey, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah indicated that the results were a confirmation that government were on course with regards to fulfilling promises made by the Akufo-Addo administration.
He expressed confidence in the research carried out by the University noting that the methodology, sample size and demographics among other things were genuine, making it credible and one which the interested parties can take feedback from.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah stressed that the findings is indicative of the sense on the ground among the populace. Citing the results from the 2016 elections, he noted that the poll was suggestive that the perception of Ghanaians about the NPP in government is a pleasing one leading to the increase in gap of the election results.
“I think that the general findings that about 49 percent of the people who were surveyed would vote for President Akufo-Addo and 33 percent would vote for former president Mahama for us reiterates our own sense on the ground that indeed the gap between the NPP and the NDC is widening.
If you would recall in the 2016 elections itself the gap was just about 9 points. In this survey two years after the fact… it’s now about 16 points and I think it tells you something that the gap is getting wider and that people’s perception of the NPP in government and the NDC in government is being bolstered that the NPP in government overall does a good job.” He explained
He further stated that the government had taken into consideration the feedback from the respondents who essentially represented Ghanaians adding that the challenges highlighted that were unpopular in the findings would be duly addressed in the course of time.
Research conducted by the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana has revealed that if elections were held today, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo will poll 49.3% and former President John Mahama of the main National Democratic Congress (NDC) will poll 33.3%.
Explaining the survey on Wednesday, 9 January 2019, Dr Maame Gyekye-Jandoh, the Head of the Political Science Department, University of Ghana, said: “For Nana Akufo-Addo, 49.3% said they would vote for him, 33.3% said they would vote for Mahama and 7.35% for Paa Kwesi Nduom.”
She said the election might head for a run-off since although Mr Akufo-Addo may have taken the lead, he may not be able to cross the 50 per cent mark to be retained as president.
“These responses indicate simply and unsurprisingly that the two major parties are still the most preferred among voters, and secondly, that there might be another contest between President Akufo-Addo and former President Mahama during the 2020 elections,” she added.
She further explained that “…48.9% of our respondents said they would vote for the NPP if elections were to be held today. 32.2% said they would vote for the NDC, 3.3% for the PPP, 1.7% for the CPP, 0.4% for the PNC and 0.2% for the NDP.”