A 30 day period quantitative opinion poll conducted by African Research &Networks Incorporated, a United States based non governmental mass-communication organization and its affiliates, the African Research Bureau (ARB) in Canada, and the Netherlands which is among other things, dedicated to the democratic dispensation in Africa and the socio-economic wellbeing of Africans in the Diaspora has suggested that Ghanaians in the Diaspora wants Professor John Evans Atta-Mills as the next President of the republic of Ghana.

In response to a simple question “who do you want as next President of Ghana and why”, an overwhelming 83% of all respondents preferred Professor John Evans Atta- Mills while 11% wanted Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom , with 5% suggesting Nana Akuffo Addo and 1% favoring Dr. Edward Mahama. (Note that the aggregate margin of error is -2, +2 with a 98% degree of confidence).

In a consistent pattern, as many as 3, 325 representing 95% out of the total sample size of 3,500 respondents suggested that there should be a change of government and for that matter a change of political philosophy and direction for Ghana.

In all, a total of 3,500 Ghanaian residents in parts of North America, and Europe were identified and sampled for the project. Out of the number, 2,000 respondents were drawn from the United States of America, 1,000 respondents were from Europe, while 500 respondents were sampled from Canada. A multi-disciplinary mass-communication research method was utilized to enable as many Ghanaians as possible to be identified and sampled. The methods used to collate the data included telephone directory name recognition calls, internet assess directory contacts, one-on-one individual interactions in various academic institutions, and major social gatherings such as church services, birthday parties, outdoorings, sporting & entertainment events, grocery stores and supermarkets interactions, as well as random samplings of Ghanaians identified at car parking lots, and garages around shopping Malls, hospitals, and other business facilities.

Respondents were people with diverse backgrounds between 17 years and above. The cumulative mean age for the sample size was 30 years. The youngest respondent was a 17 year old high school senior while the oldest was a 67 year old Physiotherapist. A total of 2,275 of all respondents representing 65% were males while 1,225 representing 35% constituted females. A total of 2,765 representing 79% of all respondents are people who travel to Ghana at least twice a year. Among the respondents, a total of 2,590 representing 74% said they voted in the last two general elections in Ghana.

The opinion polls were conducted during the peak period for the just ended United States presidential campaign and election season between November 1st and 30th 2008. Coincidentally, the outcome of the United States elections validated a general global trend of sweeping changes throughout the democratic societies of the world. It is therefore no surprise that Ghanaians in the Diaspora have overwhelmingly subscribe to the global quest for CHANGE and REFORM in virtually all aspect of democratic governance.

On the question of why respondents want their choice of President, the Diasporas intimated that the current global perception of Ghana as the safe haven for narcotic drug lords and the NPP government apparent complicity calls for a change of government as a matter of necessity and urgency to redeem and restore Ghana’s image as the black star of Africa and not as safe haven for international narcotic drugs syndicates which has been occasioned by the NPP led government for the past 7 plus years.

A total of 2,905 respondents generally suggested that NDC’s Professor John Evans Atta-Mills is a better qualified candidate than NPP’s Nana Akuffo Addo who is himself seen by most respondents as a sympathizer of a notorious international Ghanaian born drug fugitive called Raymond Amankwah. Respondents totaling 385 stated that Dr. Induom would have been preferred in the absence of Professor Atta Mills and not Nana Akuffo due to his (Nana’s) complicity and covert associations with drug barons.

They stated that apart from his experience at the presidency as a former Vice President, Professor Atta Mills’ professional and academic competence and accomplishments are without question. According to them the Professor has what it takes to assemble the right caliber of people who will help him fulfill the demands of the manifesto of the NDC party and thereby meet the needs of the people of Ghana.

Some of the highlights of what respondents based their choices during telephone interviews included the following. Respondents revealed that in these troubled global times, and in the Ghanaian political history, when our country is ruled by the most shameless, ruthless bunch of greedy, conscienceless, and tribal mongering cronies, we need a president whose life, words, and deeds exemplify honesty, integrity, peaceable and dedication.

Some also warned that as a country, we are in danger of loosing our national pride and prestige, as a result of pervasive organized criminalities, active involvement of certain NPP government operatives and senior security operatives in drug trafficking, corruption, ineptitude, and immorality. They argued that we need a president who, by virtue of his professional and academic competency, coupled with personal exemplary life record, will have the moral courage to instill disciple into the Ghanaian body politics, and restore dignity back to the presidency. It is within these contexts that they suggested that Professor John Evans Atta-Mills is the one Ghanaians need at this point in time.

Some also recounted qualities including the treasured values of humility, gentleness, and desire for the well being of all Ghanaians, and his passion for a stable, peaceful, and a united Ghana as those that appeal to them and for which they believe Atta Mills is generally known to posses. Others also stated that Professor Atta-Mills has earned the respect of many Ghanaian opinion leaders and the masses as well. And that his long standing reputation for peaceful coexistence among all people regardless of their political, religious and ethnic orientations makes him the obvious choice to unify our motherland and lead us to the level that we deserve to be.

On the international front, respondents agreed that Professor Mills has earned a high level of reputation and integrity within the international community. Among other national and international assignments, he represented Ghana on several global forum and conferences. There were occasions that he represented the President of Ghana and chaired functions in his capacity as the Head of State. He is also a United Nations expert and counselor on taxation and monetary policy. He is therefore well connected with other serving and former world leaders who still have stakes in international politics and world affairs. He is already known among the global community of statesmen and will need little or no effort to attract international recognition and acceptance.

For more detailed reports and opinion polls from Africans in the Diaspora visit: www.africanresearchinstitute.org or www.africanresearch.com