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Ghana's John Mahama projected to unseat ruling party in December election
11 Nov 2024 at 13:46hrs | Views
John Dramani Mahama holds a copy of the party's manifesto as his running mate Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang looks on, on 24 August 2024. (Nipah Dennis / AFP)
Ghana's main opposition leader and former president, John Dramani Mahama, appears to be the front-runner in the upcoming December presidential election, according to an opinion poll released on Monday. The survey, conducted by Accra-based Global InfoAnalytics, places Mahama ahead of the ruling party's candidate, Vice President Muhamudu Bawumia.
Mahama, 65, who previously served as Ghana's president from 2012 to 2017, is the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He leads with 52% support in the poll, while Bawumia, 60, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), trails with 41.3%. The survey, which has a 1.9% margin of error, comes as both candidates seek to convince voters ahead of the December 7 election to replace President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is concluding his second term.
The poll highlights key voter concerns around the economy, jobs, education, and infrastructure. During Mahama's presidency, his administration invested heavily in infrastructure, though his tenure faced criticism over power shortages and economic instability, along with allegations of corruption. However, Mahama himself was never directly implicated.
Bawumia, an economist and former central banker, is running on the NPP platform. Ghana's economic struggles, including a default on the nation's $30 billion external debt in 2022, have weighed heavily on the ruling party. President Akufo-Addo's administration secured a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout in 2023, aiming to stabilize the country's finances amid what has been the worst economic crisis in a generation.
Political analysts predict a tight race between Mahama and Bawumia. Despite the NDC's historic strength in northern Ghana, Bawumia's background and ties to the region have helped the NPP gain ground. According to University of Ghana political analyst Alidu Seidu, the close contest could result in a run-off vote, as Ghana's democratic history has never seen any party win more than two consecutive terms.
Economic performance has become a key campaign issue, with both candidates proposing plans to tackle challenges and improve livelihoods. The Economist Intelligence Unit and Fitch Solutions both forecast an NDC victory in October, citing economic pressures under the NPP's tenure as a deciding factor.
Ghanaians will head to the polls on December 7, with Mahama and Bawumia vying to lead Africa's second-largest cocoa producer through a challenging economic period.
Mahama, 65, who previously served as Ghana's president from 2012 to 2017, is the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He leads with 52% support in the poll, while Bawumia, 60, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), trails with 41.3%. The survey, which has a 1.9% margin of error, comes as both candidates seek to convince voters ahead of the December 7 election to replace President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is concluding his second term.
The poll highlights key voter concerns around the economy, jobs, education, and infrastructure. During Mahama's presidency, his administration invested heavily in infrastructure, though his tenure faced criticism over power shortages and economic instability, along with allegations of corruption. However, Mahama himself was never directly implicated.
Political analysts predict a tight race between Mahama and Bawumia. Despite the NDC's historic strength in northern Ghana, Bawumia's background and ties to the region have helped the NPP gain ground. According to University of Ghana political analyst Alidu Seidu, the close contest could result in a run-off vote, as Ghana's democratic history has never seen any party win more than two consecutive terms.
Economic performance has become a key campaign issue, with both candidates proposing plans to tackle challenges and improve livelihoods. The Economist Intelligence Unit and Fitch Solutions both forecast an NDC victory in October, citing economic pressures under the NPP's tenure as a deciding factor.
Ghanaians will head to the polls on December 7, with Mahama and Bawumia vying to lead Africa's second-largest cocoa producer through a challenging economic period.
Source - news24
