As Ghana prepares for its December 7 presidential election, recent opinion polls indicate that opposition leader John Dramani Mahama is currently leading over his main challenger, Vice President Muhamudu Bawumia. The polls, conducted by Accra-based research group Global InfoAnalytics, place Mahama, who served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2017, at 52%, with Bawumia at 41.3%. The poll’s margin of error is 1.9%.
The poll highlights that Ghanaian voters are particularly focused on pressing concerns like the economy, employment, education, and infrastructure. These issues resonate with voters as Ghana has faced economic challenges over recent years, culminating in a 2022 default on most of its $30 billion external debt due to rising national debt and financial instability.
To address these challenges, the current government, led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, sought a 3-year, $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2023, which required tough economic adjustments. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and Fitch Solutions both recently forecast a win for Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), citing the economic challenges faced during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) rule.
Candidates at a Glance: Mahama vs. Bawumia
John Dramani Mahama: Representing the NDC, Mahama is known for his heavy investments in infrastructure during his previous presidency, although he faced challenges with power shortages and allegations of corruption, though he was not directly implicated. Mahama has promised to focus on economic stability and infrastructure improvements in his bid to regain the presidency.
Muhamudu Bawumia: Running for the NPP, Bawumia is an economist and former central banker who has emphasized plans to revive the economy and improve living standards. Bawumia and his party are working to overcome the NPP’s recent economic challenges and the associated impact on public sentiment.
Both Mahama and Bawumia hail from northern Ghana, an area historically aligned with the NDC, although the NPP has made some recent inroads. Mahama’s lead in the polls reflects a wider public dissatisfaction with Ghana’s economic state and the demand for change.
However, with the election still weeks away, both candidates are expected to intensify their campaigns, focusing on key issues that matter most to Ghanaian voters.
As the country approaches the final stretch before the election, Mahama’s early lead in the polls reflects a potential shift in Ghana’s political landscape, although the NPP remains committed to winning voter trust. The December 7 election will ultimately decide which leader will guide Ghana through its next phase of economic and social recovery.
