Ghanaians heading into the 2024 elections are prioritizing economic issues over corruption, according to Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director and Head of Global Research at Global InfoAnalytics. Speaking during the *NorvanReports X Space* discussion on November 21, 2024, Mr. Dankwah revealed that concerns about the economy, job creation, and education dominate the minds of voters, leaving corruption as a lesser priority.
“Economic issues have consistently been number one for voters, followed by job creation and education,” he stated, noting a slight variation in priorities between rural and urban populations, with rural voters placing more emphasis on education.
Why Corruption Fails to Resonate
Despite being a frequent topic in public discourse, corruption has not emerged as a top concern for voters. Mr. Dankwah explained that the inability to directly connect corruption to Ghana’s pressing economic challenges and unemployment has diminished its impact as a voter priority.
“When people are struggling economically, corruption doesn’t register as strongly unless it is clearly linked to economic mismanagement,” he observed.
Economic Events Shape Public Sentiment
Polling data from Global InfoAnalytics highlights how economic developments have influenced voter perceptions. Key events, including the implementation of the e-levy in 2022, the Ghana cedi’s fluctuations, and inflationary pressures, have significantly shaped public opinion regarding governance and economic management.
Younger Voters and Changing Political Loyalties
Mr. Dankwah also discussed the shifting political dynamics driven by Ghana’s youthful electorate. With nearly 70% of the voting population under 35, he noted a decline in party loyalty and a rise in the number of floating voters.
“Younger voters are less attached to political parties, which is changing the political landscape,” he explained, adding that this demographic shift demands a more nuanced approach from political parties.
Challenges for the NPP, Opportunity for the NDC
Global InfoAnalytics predicts a challenging road ahead for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as it seeks to “break the eight.” Lower turnout among NPP supporters is expected, reflecting historical trends for governments in their second terms. Conversely, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is projected to benefit from higher voter engagement.
Data-Driven Campaigning
Mr. Dankwah emphasized the need for political parties to adapt to these evolving voter priorities and leverage data-driven strategies to address their concerns effectively. He pointed to Global InfoAnalytics’ proven track record, including accurately predicting President Nana Akufo-Addo’s win in the 2020 elections with a 50.4% margin, as evidence of the importance of understanding voter dynamics.
As Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections, the findings suggest that addressing economic issues and engaging younger, more independent voters will be crucial for any party aiming to secure victory.
Source: Jeorge Wilson Kingson || ghananewsonline.com.gh