Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, has indicated that a special poll conducted in the Ashanti region from January 25th to 29th revealed a significant shift in public opinion regarding the country’s direction.
According to Dankwah, the results showed that 59% of voters now believe Ghana is headed in the right direction, a stark contrast to only 20% who held this view in January 2024.
This marks an impressive 39 percentage point increase, highlighting a dramatic change in sentiment over the past year.
“Only 28% say it is headed in the wrong direction in January 2025 compared to 77% in the same period, 2024.
“The poll also finds 63% of voters from Ashanti region approve of the performance of the president so far”.
Mussa Dankwah
Dankwah highlighted that in January 2024, only 30% of voters expressed approval of then-President Nana Addo’s performance, with a significant 68% disapproving.
However, the latest figures show a dramatic shift, as only 21% of voters now disapprove of John Mahama’s performance.
This stark contrast underscores a notable change in public sentiment, suggesting that Mahama’s leadership is gaining increased support compared to the previous administration.
He noted that, when it comes to people’s standard of living, there has been a remarkable shift in public perception.
Currently, 52% of voters report that their standard of living has improved compared to a year ago, marking a significant rise from just 17% in January 2024.
This increase highlights a substantial change in how the public views their economic circumstances.
Dankwah noted that on the other hand, the number of voters who feel their standard of living has worsened has dramatically decreased, dropping from 63% in January 2024 to just 13% today.
This sharp decline in negative sentiment signals a growing optimism among voters about the economy and their personal living conditions.
The data suggests that, despite previous challenges, there may be tangible improvements in areas that directly affect people’s everyday lives, contributing to a more positive overall outlook.
56% of Ashanti Expecting Better Standard of Living
Furthermore, Mussa Dankwah highlighted that a closer look at the Ashanti Region revealed a strong sense of optimism among voters there.
He indicated that over half of the voters in the region believe that their standard of living will improve in the next 12 months, marking the highest level of optimism ever recorded since polling began.
This shift reflects a growing sense of hope and confidence in the region’s future, signaling that voters feel more assured about the potential for positive changes in their economic and living conditions.
The trend underscores a shift in public sentiment, where expectations for progress and improvement are notably higher than in previous years, particularly in a region that has often been seen as a political barometer for the rest of the country.
“According to the polls, 56% believe their standard of living will get better in the next 12 months. The comparative figure for the same period in 2024 was 35%.
“On the question of who should make it to serve under John Mahama, the people of the Ashanti region, overwhelmingly say the president should prioritize competence over all other factors”.
Mussa Dankwah
Dankwah also highlighted that the findings from the Ashanti region showed a strong preference for competence as the primary criterion in selecting leadership under the Mahama government, with 74% of respondents emphasizing its importance.
In comparison, only 20% emphasized the importance of loyalty to the party, while 4% favored the role of party financiers, and a mere 2% highlighted those who engage most actively in campaigning.
This data reflects the growing importance voters place on the skills and abilities of candidates, signaling a shift toward merit-based leadership rather than loyalty or financial backing.
The results indicate a demand for more capable and effective leaders who can deliver on promises and bring about tangible improvements.
According to Dankwah, this highlights a shift in the electorate’s expectations for political representation. “It will interesting to see the views from regions perceived to be NDC strongholds”.
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