The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is expected to defeat the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the general elections scheduled for December 7, according to research and analytics firm Fitch Solutions.
According to the London-based company, which has stuck to its prediction since last year, 54% of survey participants predicted that NDC nominee John Mahama would win the next presidential election.
Voters’ decisions on December 7 will be heavily influenced by the status of the economy, according to Mike Kruiniger, Associate Director, Country Risk at Fitch Solutions, who was speaking on the Mid-Year Review for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We believe that the opposition NDC has a stronger chance of winning the upcoming general elections compared to the ruling NPP. Recent polls consistently place the NDC ahead with the most recent survey showing 54 % of respondents favoring the NDC.
“In addition, multiple surveys have shown that economic management and job creation are going to be the most important issues during the election for voters which we believe will put the ruling NPP at a disadvantage given the economic challenges that the country has faced over the last couple of years.”
Additionally, Mr. Kruiniger clarified that the NDC government will not alter the nation’s policy course.
He asserts that the International Monetary Fund initiative, which the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government started, is likely to be maintained by a Mahama-led government.
“In terms of what a government change will mean for the economy, we think that policy direction under a likely NDC government will not largely change.
“The NDC will most likely stick to Ghana’s IMF programme particularly as the party has shown commitment in the past to international agreements and obligations. So in summary, we expect policy continuation in Ghana despite a likely government change,” he stressed.
