The political landscape of Ghana’s Central Region is undergoing a significant shift, according to recent findings by independent research firm Global InfoAnalytics. Their study reveals a surge in party affiliation for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), which now commands a majority at 52%. This represents a notable increase in support for the NDC, positioning them as the dominant political force in this crucial swing region. The research further breaks down the party affiliation by gender, showing that the NDC enjoys stronger support among male voters (55%) compared to female voters (50%). Conversely, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) trails significantly with a 19% overall affiliation rate, registering 18% among male voters and 19% among female voters. This indicates a substantial gap between the two major parties in terms of public support within the Central Region.
Delving deeper into the demographics, the Global InfoAnalytics study suggests that while the NPP’s support is marginally stronger among female voters, this difference is relatively small. One potential contributing factor to this slight variation is the NPP’s free education policy, a program that resonates with single mothers who may perceive it as a direct benefit. However, even with this potential advantage, the NPP’s support among female voters remains considerably lower than the NDC’s. This suggests that other factors are playing a more significant role in shaping voter preferences within the region.
Examining the age demographics, the research highlights the NDC’s dominance across a wide range of age groups. Among voters aged 18-54, the NDC enjoys over 50% support, showcasing a strong appeal among younger and middle-aged demographics. While their support dips slightly among older voters, the NDC still maintains a majority. The NPP, on the other hand, performs best among voters aged 65 and above, indicating a concentration of support within the older segment of the population. This age-based breakdown provides valuable insight into the generational dynamics influencing political preferences within the Central Region.
Education level also appears to be a factor in party affiliation. The Global InfoAnalytics study indicates that the NDC leads across all levels of education, further solidifying their broad-based appeal within the region. This consistent dominance across various educational backgrounds suggests that the NDC’s message and policies resonate with a diverse range of voters, irrespective of their educational attainment. This finding underscores the NDC’s strong positioning within the Central Region, capturing the support of various demographic groups.
The 2024 general election results offer a concrete manifestation of these trends. NDC candidate John Mahama secured a decisive victory in the Central Region, garnering 560,333 votes, which translates to 58.51% of the total votes cast. In contrast, NPP’s Mahamudu Bawumia received 381,825 votes, representing 39.87% of the votes. This significant margin of victory for Mahama reinforces the findings of the Global InfoAnalytics study, demonstrating the NDC’s strong hold on the region and translating party affiliation into electoral success.
The Global InfoAnalytics study paints a clear picture of the evolving political landscape in Ghana’s Central Region. The NDC’s substantial lead in party affiliation, coupled with their dominance across various demographics and their resounding victory in the 2024 general election, positions them as the dominant political force in the region. The NPP, while showing some marginal strength among female voters and older demographics, faces a significant challenge in regaining ground. The findings suggest that the NDC’s appeal resonates across a broad spectrum of voters, including different age groups, gender, and educational backgrounds, solidifying their position as the preferred choice in the Central Region. These insights provide valuable context for understanding the current political dynamics and predicting future electoral outcomes in this crucial swing region.