Survey suggests Opoku-Agyemang, Bawumia could face off in 2028 election

A new survey shows that voters prefer a presidential race between Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in 2028.

The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) conducted the survey with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), a German political foundation. It examined voting behavior for the 2024 elections and succession preferences within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) for 2028.

Researchers surveyed 16,988 respondents from all 16 regions. Most participants were traders, artisans, and farmers.

For NDC supporters, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang is the leading candidate. She received 35.5 percent support as the most suitable choice.

Other NDC contenders included Haruna Iddrisu at 14.9 percent, Okudjeto Ablakwa at 10.2 percent, Asiedu Nketiah at 8.3 percent, and Julius Debrah at 2.2 percent.

However, 25.6 percent of respondents did not know who should run for the NDC in 2028.

Among NPP supporters, Dr. Bawumia leads with 49.3 percent support. Mr. Kennedy Agyapong follows with 24.6 percent.

Other ranked candidates included Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum at 2.6 percent, Dr. Bryan Acheampong at 0.8 percent, and Mr. Boakye Agyarko at 0.6 percent.

Similarly to the NDC findings, 21 percent of respondents were unsure about who should lead the NPP in 2028.

While voter intent for 2028 remains high, enthusiasm appears to be declining compared to previous elections.

Regarding factors influencing voter decisions in 2024, the report found that party manifestos influenced 73 percent of respondents' choices. Additionally, likeability of presidential aspirants affected decisions for 46.2 percent of voters.

Dr. Joseph A. Darmoe from KAS noted that party manifestos are becoming more important than strict party loyalty.

“Voters are moderately moving away from strong party affiliation,” he said.

Mrs Anna Lena Sabroso Wasserfall from KAS stated that this study serves as a reference for various stakeholders in Ghana's political landscape.

“Our motivation comes from our role as a political foundation,” she added.