81.6% blame NPP’s 2024 defeat on economic mismanagement and high cost of living – GIMPA-KAS survey

A new nationwide survey has revealed that a large number of Ghanaians believe the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost the 2024 general elections mainly because of economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

The survey, conducted by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), showed that 81.6% of voters blamed the party’s defeat on economic mismanagement, with 47.3% specifically pointing to the high cost of living as the main cause.

The findings were officially presented on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at GIMPA in Accra. The presentation was led by Dr. Joseph A. Darmoe, Director of Programmes at KAS and also a Senior Lecturer at GIMPA. The event was part of the launch of the research report titled “Stocktaking Ghana’s Democracy: Voter Behaviour and Political Participation.”

Survey Details

The survey was conducted from May 8 to May 20, 2025, and it covered all 276 constituencies in the country. A total of 16,988 registered voters were interviewed using a carefully planned multi-stage sampling method. The interviews were carried out face-to-face using modern technology—Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI). According to the researchers, the survey had a 99% confidence level and a 1% margin of error, making it one of the most credible post-election assessments so far.

What Ghanaians Are Saying About the NPP’s Defeat

The major reason why people voted against the NPP, according to the survey, was the unbearable cost of living. Out of those who blamed the NPP for economic mismanagement, 47.3% said the high prices of goods and services were their biggest concern.

Others raised additional issues:

8.7% of voters said corruption was a key reason for rejecting the NPP.

Several respondents mentioned the E-levy, which taxed mobile money transfers, as something they couldn’t forgive.

Others also spoke about the betting tax, which many young people saw as an attack on their small earnings.

Some complained about the arrogant attitude of some government officials, which they felt showed disrespect towards the people.

Although concerns about LGBTQ+ policies were also raised, very few respondents said it influenced their voting decision.

These findings highlight how everyday struggles, especially economic ones, influenced the minds and hearts of voters more than political propaganda or ethnic loyalty.

A More Policy-Conscious Electorate

One of the most interesting revelations from the report was that 73.5% of voters made their choices based on political party programmes and manifestos, rather than personal loyalty, ethnicity, or mere party branding. This suggests that Ghanaian voters are maturing in their political thinking and are beginning to focus more on real issues than on blind party support.

When asked why they chose a particular presidential candidate, voters gave the following reasons:

46.2% said they simply admired the candidate and believed in their leadership qualities.

16.7% admitted their choice was based on tribal or ethnic loyalty.

13.8% said they voted in order to “punish the NPP government” for how they had managed the country.

11.6% confessed that they voted in exchange for money or material benefits.

This mix of motivations shows that while many voters are now looking at policies and personalities, vote-buying and tribalism still play roles—though they are no longer the dominant factors.

Local Realities Shaping National Choices

Another strong point from the report was that 90.5% of voters said they live and vote in the same constituency. This means most Ghanaians are not “floating” voters who move between places. They live in the communities where they cast their ballots, and therefore, the local development conditions—like poor roads, water problems, lack of schools or health services—have a direct effect on their voting choices.

This connection between local living conditions and national election outcomes explains why many people who felt abandoned in their constituencies did not hesitate to vote against the NPP.