New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2028 flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is currently ahead of seven potential National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential contenders, according to a new nationwide voter perception survey conducted by the Africa Policy Lens (APL).
The survey, conducted between July 27 and August 7, 2026, indicates that Dr Bawumia leads in all seven hypothetical head-to-head presidential contests tested. His support ranges from 45.7% to 49.9%, although the findings also show that Ghana’s 2028 election remains highly competitive, with a significant number of voters yet to make a decision.
APL Survey Covers All 276 Constituencies
The APL poll involved 16,963 respondents across all 276 constituencies in Ghana’s 16 regions. According to the research organisation, the face-to-face survey used a multistage probability sampling method designed to provide a nationally representative picture of voter sentiment.
Dr Bawumia recorded his closest projected contests against NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
In a hypothetical matchup with Asiedu Nketiah, Dr Bawumia polled 45.8%, compared with 42.4% for the NDC contender, while 7.2% of respondents remained undecided.
The contest with Dr Ato Forson was similarly close. Dr Bawumia secured 45.7%, against 42.8% for the Finance Minister, with 7.5% of voters undecided.
These figures suggest that while Dr Bawumia currently has an advantage over the two NDC figures, the margins remain relatively narrow and could change as voter preferences evolve ahead of the 2028 Ghana presidential election.
Bawumia Records Wider Leads Against Other NDC Candidates
The APL survey shows a wider advantage for Dr Bawumia in hypothetical contests involving other potential NDC candidates.
Against Chief of Staff Dr Julius Debrah, Dr Bawumia recorded 48.4%, compared with 37.9% for Dr Debrah.
In a contest against Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Dr Bawumia polled 47.4%, while the NDC candidate received 40.2%.
The largest margins were recorded in hypothetical matchups involving Professor Joshua Alabi and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku.
Dr Bawumia obtained 49.9% against Professor Alabi’s 34.4%, while he polled 49.8% against Eric Opoku’s 33.9%.
In another projected contest involving Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, Dr Bawumia led with 45.9%, compared with 41.5% for the NDC contender.
Bawumia Leads in Multiple Regions
According to APL, Dr Bawumia’s support is not limited to one particular regional stronghold. The organisation said the former Vice President leads in between nine and 11 of Ghana’s 16 regions, depending on the hypothetical matchup.
However, APL did not publish detailed regional voting figures alongside the national results contained in the survey report.
What Ghanaian Voters Want in the Next President
Beyond the potential presidential candidates, the APL research examined the qualities voters consider most important when choosing Ghana’s next President.
Honesty and integrity emerged as the top priority, followed by the ability to create jobs and manage the Ghanaian economy effectively.
The findings suggest that personal credibility, economic management, employment opportunities and leadership competence could become major issues in Ghana’s 2028 presidential election.
For Dr Bawumia, who has frequently highlighted his economic experience and credentials, the findings could offer an early indication of how voters currently view his claim to national leadership.
APL Warns Against Treating Poll as Election Prediction
Despite Dr Bawumia’s lead across the seven hypothetical matchups, APL stressed that the survey should not be interpreted as a prediction of the outcome of the 2028 presidential election.
The research organisation noted that voter preferences can change significantly as Ghana’s political, economic and social conditions develop. The eventual presidential candidates, campaign strategies, party records and policy proposals are also expected to influence voter decisions.
With the 2028 Ghana election still some distance away, the latest APL poll provides an early snapshot of voter sentiment rather than a definitive indication of who will win the presidency.
Source: newsthemegh.com