The polls conducted by Professor Smart Sarpong, Director of Research and Innovation at Kumasi Technical University, have drawn criticism for their lack of fundamental research hypotheses and apparent disconnect from economic realities in the country. Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, a Senior Lecturer and Political Analyst, voiced this concern during a survey discussion on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
Dr. Asante emphasized that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) enters the December 2024 election as an underdog, citing economic hardships and perceived corruption and mismanagement. He suggested that the survey findings should better reflect the ground realities of the country, questioning the credibility of the research methodology and its lack of institutional backing.
He urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to disregard the survey findings but rather to incorporate them into their election research for informed decision-making.
Meanwhile, according to the survey conducted by Professor Smart Sarpong, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s flagbearer, leads as the preferred presidential candidate with 38.9%, while the NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, trails with 36.1%.
The survey indicates that Bawumia holds sway in several regions including Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Central, Eastern, North East, Western, and Western North. Other presidential aspirants collectively garnered 3.6% support.
Furthermore, the survey reveals that about 21.4% of prospective voters remain undecided as of April 30th, 2024. Notably, the North East region strongly favors Bawumia with 60% support, while Mahama enjoys significant support in the Volta region, with 75.7% of voters in favor of him.
Data collection for this baseline study spanned 30 days, from April 1st to April 30th, 2024.
By: AYM; Kukah
