According to Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, a recent poll of Senior High School graduates aged 18-24 who benefited from the Free SHS program showed John Mahama leading in this demographic.
Dankwah indicated that the poll revealed that former President John Dramani Mahama emerged as the preferred candidate with 44.6% of the vote.
The NDC flagbearer was followed closely by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who garnered 38.4% support among respondents.
He indicated that Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, an independent candidate and former trade minister, secured 5.4% of the votes, while businessman Nana Kwame Bediako received 10.9%.
According to the pollster, the remaining 0.7% of respondents expressed support for other candidates.
The poll highlights the influence of the Free SHS beneficiaries on the upcoming election, demonstrating the significant impact of youth voters on the political landscape of Ghana.
“In the October 2024 national poll, the sample we engaged included 764 voters whose highest level of education was SHS and age 18-24 and 237 were at Tertiary level also age 18-24. These voters are the beneficiaries of the free education policy.
“Those with SHS represent 14.6 % of the total sample engaged and those at the tertiary level, 3.4%”.
Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics
Furthermore, Dankwah highlighted that if the 2024 elections were held today, the voting preferences of tertiary students aged 18-24 would show strong support for John Mahama, who leads with 50.1%.
According to him, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia follows with 31.2%, indicating significant but less dominant support among this demographic.
The polls also showed that Alan Kyerematen, an independent candidate, would receive 5.1% of the vote, while businessman Nana Kwame Bediako would capture 11.8%.
Dankwah indicated that the remaining 1.3% of votes would go to other candidates, underscoring the substantial influence young, tertiary-educated voters could have in shaping the outcome of the 2024 elections.
Mahama’s Lead Reveals SHS Policy ‘Failures’
Moreover, Mussa Dankwah observed that the data showing John Mahama’s lead suggests that the ruling party is not reaping the expected political benefits of the Free SHS policy among its beneficiaries.
According to him, this indicates that despite implementing the policy, the government may not have garnered sufficient support from the very demographic it aimed to benefit.
“It is worth noting that in the April 2024 national poll which dealt with the Free SHS policy extensively, among voters who said the policy had brought financial relief to them and their household, this was how they intended to vote: JDM 29%DMB 53%AKK 6% NKB 1% Others 1% Undecided 6% I will not vote 4%”.
Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics
Dankwah further noted that among respondents who did not benefit from the Free SHS policy, 69% expressed support for John Mahama, while only 11% would vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He stated that Alan Kyerematen would receive 5% of the vote, with Nana Bediako at 2% and other candidates at 1%. Additionally, 6% of respondents remain undecided, and another 6% stated they would not participate in the election.
The pollster noted that data revealed a strong preference for Mahama among those who feel underserved by the policy’s benefits, suggesting a challenge for the ruling party in gaining support from this voter segment.
Dankwah stated that among those uncertain about their benefits from the Free SHS policy, John Mahama captured 53% of the votes, while Dr. Bawumia obtained 13%. Alan Kyerematen garnered 9%, and Nana Bediako received 6%.
Additionally, he indicated that 5% of respondents supported other candidates, 9% remained undecided, and another 5% indicated they would not vote.
This distribution highlights Mahama’s ability to connect with voters who may feel ambivalent about the policy, while the ruling party faces the challenge of addressing these uncertainties to improve its standing among this demographic.
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