Results of an online opinion poll have given the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, a 13-point lead over President John Dramani Mahama, who is seeking re-election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The new Goodman AMC Opinion Poll, conducted between May 30, 2016, and June 1, 2016, shows Nana Akufo-Addo leading President Mahama 54% to 41% among likely Ghanaian voters in the race for President in this year’s elections.

According to the report, 1,971 Ghanaian adult respondents, comprising 1,794 males and 177 females likely to vote, with ages between 18 years and above, took part in the polls.

The Goodman AMC Opinion Poll Report is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice directed by Isma-il Sulaiman and Bernard Boachie-Danquah.

It conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of African and international organisations, based not only on public opinion research but elite stakeholder, corporate and media opinion research.

The online opinion poll indicates that the Progressive People’s Party’s (PPP) PapaKwesi Ndoum recorded 5% among likely Ghanaian voters.

Papa Kwesi Ndoum has surprisingly managed to gradually increase his support from 3% in April to 5% in May.

The report said the remaining possible candidacy of Edward Mahama, Hassan Ayariga, Akua Donkor, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Jacob Osei Yeboah, Henry Lartey and Akwasi AddaiOdike does not impact on Goodman AMC’s findings since they are all trailing in distant decimal places.

The poll result noted that how things play out in the key regions that typically decide presidential elections in Ghana may be more important than broad national trends, adding that some indicators are telling Nana Akufo-Addo dominates with many of the groups, typically important in general elections, winning the support of 54% of likely male voters and voters above 35 years, as well as likely voters with college degrees.

On the other hand, the poll result said President Mahama’s support amongst likely female voters dropped from 67% in April to 45% in May.

The President also enjoys huge support from voters between the ages of 18 to 24 years and voters with senior high school level education, the opinion poll revealed.

According to the online opinion poll,76% of President Mahama voters and 92% of Nana Akufo-Addo voters say they won't change their minds before the election.

It noted that another 13% of Mahama supporters, compared to only 6% ofAkufo-Addo supporters, said they could change their minds before the elections, indicating that most of Mahama’s supporters are still not fully convinced of his job performance as President and could be persuaded to vote for another candidate.

According to the poll results, 71% of voters said they are keenly following news on the 2016 presidential election, adding that overall enthusiasm is high from the beginning of the year, with only 2% of likelyGhanaian voters saying they are not at all following news on the presidential race.

According to respondents, the proportion of Ghanaians saying the nation is on the right track increased to 45%from 24% in April.

“Goodman AMC’s Opinion Poll Research in late March and early April showed a distant race between Akufo-Addo and Mahama, the race is gradually becoming a close one, with Mahama gaining in on the percentage gap lead previously enjoyed by Akufo-Addo.

“This should send a strong signal to the NPP, but Akufo-Addo can still take solace in the fact that he leads Mahama,” the poll result revealed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 60% of respondents favour the ‘sale’ of ECG by the Government of Ghana.



• 84% of respondents oppose the banning of social media on Election Day in Ghana.



• 77% of respondents say a presidential debate will not influence their decision on who to vote for.



• 78% of respondents surveyed say they agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling to order theElectoral Commission to remove voters who registered to vote with NHIS cards.



• Respondents mention the economy (52%), unemployment (25%), and corruption (9%) as the top three most important challenges facing the country.



• 67% of respondents rated the current Ghanaian economy as ‘bad’.



• 41% of respondents approve of John Mahama’s job performance as President, an increase from 33% in April (Presidential Approval Ratings).



• 38% of respondents approve of the Parliament of Ghana’s job performance(Parliamentary Approval Rating).



• Akufo-Addo vs. Mahama Opinion Poll Results for May 2016.