Main opposition leader John Mahama looks set to win December's presidential election, an opinion poll showed on Monday, placing him ahead of his main challenger, ruling party candidate Muhamudu Bawumia.
Former president Mahama, 65, and current Vice President Bawumia, 60, are the two main contenders for the Dec. 7 election to replace President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down in January after two terms as head of the gold- and cocoa-producing nation. Eleven other candidates are also running.
Global InfoAnalytics, an Accra-based research group, released poll results on Monday that saw Mahama winning 52%, followed by 41.3% for Bawumia. The poll has a 1.9% error margin.
It found that voters were mainly concerned about the economy, jobs, education and infrastructure.
Mahama invested heavily in infrastructure during his 2012-17 presidency, when he faced criticism for power shortages and economic instability. His government was also embroiled in corruption allegations, although Mahama was never directly accused.
He is running again as the candidate of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Bawumia, an economist and former central banker, is running for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), which grappled with Ghana's worst economic crisis in a generation.
Both candidates have presented plans to boost the economy and improve livelihoods.
Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa producer, defaulted on most of its $30 billion external debt in 2022 after years of overstretched borrowing.
Akufo-Addo's government secured a 3-year, $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2023 and is now on the final lap of a painful process required for the money to be disbursed.
The Economist Intelligence Unit predicted an NDC win in October due to the NPP's economic record. Fitch Solutions published a similar forecast that month.
Both Mahama and Bawumia are from northern Ghana, a historic NDC stronghold where the NPP has been making inroads.
Political analyst Alidu Seidu of the University of Ghana said the election would probably be a very close contest between the two.
Results were difficult to predict and a run-off vote was likely, he said.
No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms in Ghana's democratic history.
Latest Stories
-
Employees must file annual income tax returns – Ghana Revenue Authority
4 mins -
Does the Police law empower police to run a broadcasting service?
56 mins -
GFA dissolves Black Stars Management Committee after AFCON qualification disappointment
57 mins -
The Thomas Partey Tournament: Empowering Ghana’s Youth through football
2 hours -
Nana Akomea calls for public inquiry into ‘expired rice’ saga
2 hours -
Maintain Otto Addo despite AFCON 2025 no-show – Nana Akomea advises GFA
2 hours -
GFA issues apology to Ghanaians for Black Stars failure to qualify for AFCON 2025
2 hours -
Nautyca releases new single ‘Nalani’
2 hours -
Ablakwa slams Chief of Staff for ‘whitewashing’ ‘expired rice’ for SHS scandal
2 hours -
Regulators of financial institutions urged to develop policy framework for climate financing
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo: New BoG HQ to enhance reform capacity and investment climate
3 hours -
DRIP initiative improves over 80km of roads in Greater Accra, says RCC
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo to commission over 80 educational projects today
4 hours -
Police to set up Election Task Force Briefing Centre for 2024 polls
4 hours -
AFCON 2025: GFA to apologise to Ghanaians for Black Stars failure
4 hours