What drives Ghanaian voters on Election Day? What method do they use to select the political party that will win their support? There are likely to be many different responses to these questions. There is a possibility that Ghanaians vote according to party affiliation. The school of thought that tribal sentiments motivate voters is the second. Additionally, others will contend that Ghanaian voters are motivated by issues, particularly economic issues.
However, I believe that the responses ought to be provided directly by the Ghanaian voter in order to precisely determine what drives them.
Let’s take a look at what Ghanaians have said has motivated them to vote, either before or after the election.
What Afrobarometer discovered
In Round 7 of the Afrobarometer Survey, which was conducted in 2017, respondents were asked which presidential candidate they supported in the most recent election (the 2016 election). Respondents were then questioned regarding the primary reason for selecting a presidential candidate as a follow-up question. Ghanaians were split on the primary reason, with 43% saying they voted for the candidate who could better manage the country’s affairs and 43% saying it was the candidate’s campaign promises and policies.
One percent chose the candidate they thought was most likely to win, one percent voted for the candidate they shared ethnicity with, and two percent voted for the candidate they shared ethnicity with.
What CDD-Ghana discovered
During the pre-election survey conducted in July 2016, Ghanaians were given a list of factors and asked which one was most likely to affect their vote. Bad roads (76%), perceived government corruption (75%), and power outages (72%), were the three most likely causes. When the survey was retaken in October 2016, the most likely factors were poor roads (69%), the perception of government corruption (69%), and the capacity to obtain medical care (67%).
I have referred to the National Commission on Civic Education election (NCCE) year surveys (Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter) a few times to see what NCCE discovered. When citizens were asked why they were willing to vote in the 2016 election, the exercise of civic responsibility (34%), the desire to change the government in power (22%), and good policies and development projects were the top three reasons.
Exercise of civic responsibility (31%), development (21%), and good government policies and programs (19%) were the top three reasons Ghanaians cast ballots in 2020.
What Dr. Isaac Owusu Mensah discovered
In 2016, Dr. Isaac Owusu Mensah (Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Legon) carried out a pre-election survey in which he questioned voters regarding the factors that would influence their choices in the upcoming election.
The Greater Accra, Central, Western, Brong Ahafo, and Northern regions were the locations of the study. The economy and employment represented the top three concerns (36%); healthcare (14 percent) and education (26%).
The fact that, for the first time, a research study sought to empirically measure whether the running mate influences the choice of who to vote for as president was another unique aspect of that study. There were mixed results. The majority of respondents answered “yes” in the Northern and Greater Accra regions. The majority of respondents responded “no” in the Brong Ahafo and Central regions. There was a tie in the responses in the Western region.
In 2024, what will inspire Ghanaian voters?
The preceding examples lead one to the conclusion that the Ghanaian voter goes to the polls for a variety of reasons.
According to the NCCE study, I agree that civic engagement is necessary. Additionally, I concur that issues like the economy, employment, and accessibility to healthcare are fundamental. that inspires electors during an election.
The 2017 Afrobarometer found that a small percentage of Ghanaians cited party affiliation as their primary consideration when selecting a presidential candidate for the 2016 elections.
New Patriotic Party (NPP), the opposition party at the time, put the economy front and center in 2016 and argued vehemently two points: a) that the incumbent had mismanaged the economy; and b) that the country will need a variety of policies and programs to reset and restore itself. It should not come as a surprise that, according to the Afrobarometer 2017 survey, the NPP’s campaign promises, policies, and programs were the primary factor in their vote.
How will the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the current opposition, frame the 2024 election? It is abundantly clear that the economy will once again take center stage? Key party figures who frequently appear as guests on various radio and television programs argue vehemently two points: first, that the incumbent administration has mismanaged the economy, and second, that the country will need new leadership to reset and restore itself.
In 2024, Ghanaians will go to the polls because of something. The Economy will definitely be at the centre.
