Economic Issues Dominate Ghanaian Voter Priorities in 2024 Elections, Says Global InfoAnalytics
Executive Director and Head of Global Research at Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, has highlighted the dominance of economic issues as the primary concern for Ghanaian voters heading into the 2024 elections.
Speaking during the NorvanReports X Space discussion on Thursday, November 21, 2024, on the theme, “Election 2024: What Issues Matter Most to Ghanaians and Are Poll Numbers Predicting Change or Continuity?”, Mr Dankwah quipped economic concerns, job creation, and education have consistently ranked as the top priorities for voters over the past two and a half years.
“Issues about the economy have been number one, followed by job creation and education,” he noted, adding that rural areas tend to prioritize education slightly higher than urban areas.
According to him, polling data has demonstrated the significant impact of economic events on voter sentiments, asserting that key developments such as the introduction of the e-levy in April 2022, the Ghana cedi’s depreciation and recovery, and inflationary pressures have all shaped public opinion on governance and economic direction.
Corruption’s Waning Influence
Interestingly, corruption, while often highlighted in public discourse, has not ranked high on voter concerns.
Mr Dankwah attributed this to the inability of politicians and advocates to directly link corruption to Ghana’s economic challenges and unemployment.
“When faced with dire economic situations, corruption tends not to resonate as a primary issue unless tied to economic mismanagement,” he explained.
Changing Political Dynamics
Mr Dankwah further pointed to demographic shifts, particularly among younger voters, as a critical factor altering Ghana’s political landscape.
He observed a decline in party loyalty and increasing numbers of floating voters. “Nearly 70% of the voting population is below 35 years. Their attachment to political parties is weakening,” he stated.
Outlook for 2024 Elections
Global InfoAnalytics’ polling data indicates a challenging path for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as they seek to “break the eight.” Turnout among NPP supporters is predicted to be lower, mirroring historical patterns for governments in their second terms.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), on the other hand, is expected to see higher voter engagement.
Mr Dankwah emphasized that Ghana’s political parties must adapt to these evolving voter dynamics and prioritize data-driven approaches to understand and address voter concerns effectively.
Track Record of Predictions
Highlighting the credibility of Global InfoAnalytics, Mr Dankwah cited the firm’s accurate prediction of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s win in the 2020 elections with a 50.4% margin, despite challenges in projecting the opposition candidate John Mahama’s numbers.
