Mahama Gains 29% Support in Ashanti Region as Bawumia Falls Short of NPP’s 85% Target – InfoAnalytics Polls
The latest special regional polls by Global InfoAnalytics covering the Ashanti, Ahafo, and Bono regions indicate significant shifts in voter preferences ahead of Ghana’s 2024 general elections.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, John Dramani Mahama (JDM), is making inroads in the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Region stronghold, while Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (DMB), the NPP’s candidate, struggles to achieve the party’s ambitious 85% target in the region.
Ashanti Region Results
In the Ashanti Region, a traditional NPP stronghold, Dr. Bawumia leads with 68%, followed by John Mahama at 29%.
Alan Kyerematen (AKK), an independent candidate, garners 1.3%, while Christian Kwame Andrew of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) secures 1.0%. Other candidates account for 0.7%.
Ahafo Region Trends
In the Ahafo Region, Dr. Bawumia maintains a narrow lead with 47.8%, compared to Mahama’s 39.5%.
Christian Kwame Andrew sees a notable surge to 4%, while Alan Kyerematen and Nana Kwame Bediako (NKB) achieve 2.2% and 3.8%, respectively. Other candidates trail at 2.7%.
Bono Region Dynamics
Dr. Bawumia leads comfortably in the Bono Region, with 51.7% of voter support, while Mahama secures 37.6%.
Alan Kyerematen holds 3.6%, NKB garners 6.6%, and others contribute 0.5%.
First-Time Voter Preferences
Among first-time voters across the three regions, Dr. Bawumia leads with 64%, Mahama follows with 26%, Alan Kyerematen secures 2.6%, and NKB attracts 5.8%. Other candidates account for 1.9%.
Key Issues Driving Voter Decisions
The polls highlight economy, jobs, and education as the most pressing issues for voters in all three regions:
- Ashanti Region: Jobs (20%) top the list, followed by the economy and education at 16% each.
- Ahafo Region: The economy dominates with 16%, followed by jobs and education at 13% each.
- Bono Region: Jobs (24%) are the primary concern, with the economy (20%) and education (17%) trailing.
Influence of Economic Conditions and Manifestos
Voter choice is heavily influenced by economic conditions and campaign manifestos:
- In the Bono Region, 35% of voters cite the current economic situation as their primary concern, followed by manifestos and education at 17% each.
- In the Ashanti Region, manifestos (27%) narrowly edge out economic conditions (25%) as the key factor, with jobs following at 13%.
- In the Ahafo Region, the economy is the dominant issue, influencing 45% of voters, while manifestos and education trail at 19% and 6%, respectively.
Analysis
The poll results reveal a challenging landscape for the NPP, especially in the Ashanti Region, where Mahama’s 29% support signals growing competition.
Dr. Bawumia’s struggle to reach the 85% target in the region reflects shifting dynamics, possibly influenced by economic discontent.
The economy’s prominence as a key issue underscores the critical role policy proposals and performance evaluations will play in shaping voter decisions.
Both major candidates will likely intensify efforts to address these concerns as election day nears.
