A new poll conducted by Global Info Analytics has revealed that an overwhelming 62% of Ghanaians believe the country is heading in the right direction, while only 26% feel otherwise.
This sentiment is echoed across all regions except the Ashanti Region, which remains an outlier in national optimism.
According to the findings, President John Mahama enjoys significant approval among the electorate, with 66% of voters expressing satisfaction with his performance.
In contrast, only 23% of respondents expressed disapproval of his leadership, indicating that while a minority remains critical of his administration, the overall sentiment leans more favorably.
Notably, President Mahama’s job approval rating is positive across all regions except Ashanti, where his disapproval narrowly surpasses approval.
The poll further highlighted a shifting public perception of corruption in Ghana.
“The majority of voters say the state of corruption is now improving, compared to 14% who say it is getting worse. A new poll shows the majority of voters say they believe the government is now doing enough to fight corruption. Only 26% say it is not doing enough.
“In a dramatic turn of events, the presidency, religious leaders, and ministers/government appointees are now perceived to be the least corrupt public institutions in Ghana today. Top of the table is the Ghana Police, followed by the Ghana Immigration Service and the Judiciary.”
This marks a significant shift in corruption perception rankings, especially when compared to the August 2024 Afrobarometer report, which painted a much bleaker picture of the presidency’s integrity.
At that time, the institution was perceived as one of the most corrupt in the country, fueling concerns over governance and accountability.
However, the latest rankings indicate a stark reversal, with the presidency now positioned at the bottom of the corruption perception list.
This suggests a potential improvement in public trust, possibly influenced by recent governance reforms, anti-corruption measures, or changes in leadership approach.
While this shift is noteworthy, analysts caution that sustained transparency and accountability will be necessary to maintain and further solidify this renewed confidence.
Public Opinion on Galamsey, ‘Dumsor’ and Education:
On the controversial issue of illegal mining, or galamsey, the poll indicated that only 10% of respondents believe the situation has worsened under President Mahama’s leadership.
Meanwhile, 38% say the fight against galamsey has improved.
However, regional differences exist—particularly in mining communities, where 25% believe it has worsened, while 28% say it has improved, resulting in a net positive shift of +3%.
The poll also shed light on public sentiment regarding power supply under Mahama.
“On the current state of ‘dumsor’ under JDM, 20% of voters believe it has worsened while 34% say it has improved.”
This suggests that while power challenges remain a concern, a larger share of Ghanaians acknowledge progress in addressing the issue.
The poll also examined views on the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, revealing that the majority of Ghanaians believe the policy has improved since Mahama took office.
“On the free education policy, the poll shows that 37% believe it has improved since JDM assumed office, while 11% say it has gotten worse.”
This reflects growing public approval of President Mahama’s administration’s approach to education policy and reforms.
It suggested that recent initiatives—whether in funding, infrastructure development, curriculum improvements, or teacher welfare—are resonating positively with stakeholders.
While challenges may still exist, the overall perception indicates confidence in the government’s efforts to enhance the education sector.
Additionally, the 2025 budget has been met with general approval, as 64% of Ghanaians expressed satisfaction with it.
In contrast, only 10% expressed dissatisfaction, reinforcing the notion that Mahama’s economic policies are resonating well with the electorate.
These findings suggest a notable shift in public perception, particularly regarding corruption, governance, and economic management.
The increase in support for Mahama, coupled with growing optimism about the country’s trajectory, indicates a strong endorsement of his administration’s policies.
However, with pockets of dissatisfaction in key areas such as Ashanti and mining regions, the government may still have hurdles to overcome as it works to maintain public confidence.