5.9 C
London
Monday, December 29, 2025

Mahama ends 2025 with 67% approval as economic optimism rises for 2026

The December 2025 National Tracking Poll by Global InfoAnalytics offers a comprehensive evaluation of Ghana’s political, economic, and social health as the year concludes.

Surveying 13,495 voters across 16 regions and 83 constituencies, the report reveals a nation that is broadly optimistic but marked by significant partisan divides and a strong desire for systemic reform.

A Nation on the Move: Confidence and Polarisation

The report’s most striking finding is the high level of confidence in the country’s trajectory. Currently, 66% of Ghanaian voters believe the nation is headed in the “right direction,” a figure that has remained stable since the last quarter.

This optimism is geographically diverse, with majorities in every region agreeing that the country is on the right path.

For example, confidence is highest in the Upper West (81%) and Savannah (79%) regions, while even the Ashanti Region, traditionally an opposition stronghold, shows 45% of voters in agreement with the national direction.

However, this national sentiment masks a deep partisan rift. While 91% of National Democratic Congress (NDC) voters see the country moving forward, 61% of New Patriotic Party (NPP) voters believe the country is on the “wrong direction”.

This contrast suggests that perception of national progress is heavily influenced by party loyalty. Interestingly, floating voters—who often hold the balance of power—lean toward optimism, with 68% believing the country is on the right track.

Mahama’s Momentum: Leadership Approval

President John Mahama continues to enjoy a robust mandate, with a job approval rating of 67%. This rating has remained unchanged since the previous quarter, signaling consistent public satisfaction with his leadership.

His approval spans all regions, including areas typically aligned with the opposition. Despite this, the partisan divide remains evident: 93% of NDC supporters approve of the President’s performance, compared to only 28% of NPP voters.

Among floating voters, the President maintains a high approval rating of 69%. While disapproval has seen a slight 2% uptick to 24%, the President’s overall standing remains a cornerstone of the current administration’s strength.

The Economic Engine: Budget and Living Standards

Much of the government’s popularity appears tied to economic performance. The 2026 budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has been well-received, with 66% of voters expressing satisfaction. Only 18% reported being dissatisfied, while 16% remained neutral.

This fiscal approval is mirrored in the perceived quality of life. More than half of the electorate (56%) reports that their standard of living has improved over the past 12 months. While 27% say their situation is unchanged and 12% say it has worsened, the general mood is one of profound optimism. Looking toward 2026, 70% of citizens believe their standard of living will improve further, while only 18% remain pessimistic.

Integrity and the Environment: Corruption and Galamsey

Governance indicators also show positive trends. For the first time, 60% of voters believe the government is doing enough to fight corruption, an increase from 58% last quarter. Furthermore, 56% of respondents believe the state of corruption is improving, while 17% believe it has worsened.

The report also addressed the perennially difficult issue of “galamsey” (illegal mining). The poll suggests the government’s efforts are being recognized; 47% of voters nationally do not believe the menace has worsened under the current administration. Even in mining regions, 43% of respondents said the situation has not deteriorated. Nationally, 56% of voters believe the government is doing enough to fight the problem.

The Mandate for Reform: Constitutional Change

Ghanaians appear ready for a significant overhaul of their governing rules. The poll found overwhelming majority support for several major recommendations from the Constitutional Review Commission:

– Term Limits: 57% approve of increasing the presidential term to 5 years.

– Separation of Powers: 58% approve of barring Members of Parliament from holding ministerial positions.

– Decentralisation: 63% approve of the direct election of MMDCEs.

– Youth Participation: 55% approve of lowering the minimum age required to run for president.

– Modernisation: 58% approve of abolishing the death penalty, and 56% support restricting political campaigning to 120 days before an election.

The Changing Electorate: The Youth Surge

A massive demographic shift is fundamentally altering Ghana’s political landscape. Gen Z and Millennial voters (those under 44 years of age) now account for nearly 78% of the total voting population. This generation is driving a preference for fresh leadership, with 64% of all voters expressing a desire for Ghana to elect young leaders.

This youth surge is occurring alongside shifting party affiliations. The NPP has seen its affiliation numbers slide for three consecutive periods, dropping to 26% in the latest poll. The NDC also saw a slight dip to 41%, while the number of floating voters inched up to 19%.

Notably, the NDC leads the NPP significantly among tertiary-educated voters (by 22 points) and those with Junior High or Senior High education. The NPP’s best performance remains among voters with no formal qualification, where the gap narrows to a single point.

Conclusion

The December 2025 Global InfoAnalytics report paints a picture of a nation at a crossroads. While the current leadership enjoys strong approval and a vote of confidence in its economic and integrity-based policies, the deep partisan divide and the overwhelming support for constitutional reform indicate that citizens are looking beyond the current status quo.

With a massive youth demographic now commanding the electorate, the future of Ghanaian governance will likely be defined by a push for greater accountability, younger leadership, and systemic structural change.

Latest news
Related news