Story by, Nsor Paul Mensah
In a comprehensive nationwide survey, a renowned political researcher Prof. Smart Sarpong has revealed the state of the presidential race in Ghana ahead of the upcoming December 7th election. The findings paint a picture of a closely contested election, with the two leading candidates separated by just a few percentage points.
According to the survey, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia holds a slim lead with 49.1% of the projected vote, followed closely by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate John Dramani Mahama at 45.8%. The other candidates, including Nana Kwame Bediako of the New Force and Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, trail significantly behind the frontrunners.
Sarpong emphasized that the race remains fluid, with just four weeks until election day. He urged the top two candidates to focus their efforts on uniting the country and addressing the pressing local-level needs identified in the survey, such as poor road infrastructure, lack of employment opportunities, and inadequate access to basic services like clean water and sanitation.
"While the national-level issues are important, our research shows that voters are deeply concerned about the local challenges impacting their daily lives," Sarpong said. "I call on the presidential candidates to heed these grassroots concerns and work together to find solutions that will improve the lives of all Ghanaians."
Sarpong's survey covered 4,272 communities across Ghana's 276 constituencies, providing a granular view of the electorate's priorities. The findings underscore the need for the leading candidates to engage directly with voters and address their specific local needs.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, Sarpong urged the NPP and NDC candidates to avoid divisive rhetoric and focus on uniting the country. "The people of Ghana deserve a peaceful, issue-based election that brings the nation together," he said. "I hope the top candidates will take this message to heart and work towards a decisive, first-round victory that avoids the stress and expense of a runoff."