A survey jointly conducted by two top Ghanaian security experts, Dr. Adam Bonaa and Dr. Nana Yaw Akwada, among state security officers participating in the special voting exercise on Monday, 2 December 2024, shows the presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, leading other candidates by 53.8%.
Mahama’s main contender, the presidential candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is at 19.3%.
Former trade and industry minister, Alan John Kyerematen of the Movement for Change, has 8.7%. The rest of the best five candidates drawn from the survey results— Nana Kwame Bediako (an independent candidate) and Hassan Abdulai Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC)— are at 6.8% and 5.3% respectively.
Dr. Bonaa who is the president of the Institute of Security Safety and Policy Research (ISSAPR) and Dr. Akwada of the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) released a 37-page report on the survey on Sunday, 1 December 2024.
The study gathered answers from 907 security officers drawn nationwide from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Prisons Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Armed Forces between Thursday, 7 November 2024, and Thursday, 28 November 2024.
“The survey sought responses from the security officers on security and election related matters which included recruitment and promotions, gender equality, capacity building or academic/career development path, appointment of security heads, galamsey fight, military deployment for the December 2024 elections, security officers’ preparations towards the December 2024 elections and the relationship between the government and state security agencies,” the report said.
On welfare, 489 security officers, representing 53.9%, said they were confident their welfare would be better supported by Mahama as commander-in-chief while 218 (24.0%) opted for Bawumia. 78 (8.7%) went for Kyerematen while 50 (5.5%) and 39 (4.3%) chose Bediako and Ayariga respectively. The other security officers chose from among the rest of the presidential candidates.
Officers sampled on equal opportunities and recruitments
On equality opportunities in such areas as promotions, peacekeeping missions and further studies, 480 (52.9%) of the security officers expressed confidence in Mahama while 229 (25.2%) chose Bawumia. Kyerematen got 66 (7.3%), Bediako 52 (5.7%) and Ayariga 41 (4.5%).
Asked which of the candidates on the ballot was most likely to support and uphold gender equality, 496 of the officers, representing 54.7%, ticked Mahama while 214 (23.6%) decided on Bawumia. Kyerematen had 84 (9.3%), Bediako 42 (4.6%) and Ayariga 35 (3.9%).
Responding to a question as to which of the candidates would ensure that the recruitment process into the state security sector would be more transparently managed, ensuring equal access for all individuals, 478 (52.7%) of the officers picked Mahama. Bawumia got 220 (24.2%), Kyerematen 67 (7.4%), Bediako 56 (6.2%) and Ayariga 46 (5.1%).
The security officers similarly were asked which of the presidential candidates would ensure that promotions within the security agencies would be based on merit. Mahama obtained 479 endorsements, representing 52.8%. 204, standing for 22.5%, chose Bawumia, while Kyerematen got 66 (7.3%), Bediako 62 (6.9%) and Ayariga 38 (4.2%). The rest of the security officers chose from among the other presidential candidates.
Mahama beats Bawumia in survey on galamsey fight
Mahama had 505 among the security officers, representing 55.7%, choosing him as the candidate to ensure an effective fight against illegal mining (galamsey). Bawumia got 204 (22.5%), Kyerematen 74 (8.2%), Bediako 52 (5.7%) and Ayariga 39 (4.3%).
The security officers were further under which of the candidates the relationship between state security agencies and the government would be better managed. In response, 481 (53.0%) chose Mahama, Bawumia 222 (24.5%), Kyerematen 62 (6.8%), Bediako 59 (6.5%) and Ayariga 49 (5.4%).
The survey also sought to know under which of the candidates as a commander-in-chief the security officers would personally feel more confident in his or her role as a state security officer. 482 (53.1%) chose Mahama, 212 (23.4%) Bawumia, Kyerematen 69 (7.6%), Bediako 66 (7.3%) and Ayariga 35 (3.9%).
The officers were also asked which of the candidates would ensure that appointments of heads of state security agencies were managed transparently and based on merit. 469, representing 51.7%, picked Mahama. Bawumia had 221 (24.3%), Kyerematen 73 (8.0%), Bediako 62 (6.8%) and Ayariga 41 (4.5%).
Asked which of the presidential candidates they were likely to vote for, 488 of the security officers, representing 53.8%, mentioned Mahama. 175, representing 19.3%, chose Bawumia. 79 (8.7%) went for Kyerematen, Bediako 62 (6.8%) and Ayariga 48 (5.3%).
Ghana heads to the polls this Saturday, December 7, in 275 constituencies. The other presidential candidates include: Kofi Akpaloo, Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG); Nana Akosua Frimpomaa, Convention People’s Party (CPP); Kofi Koranteng, independent and George Twum-Barima-Adu, independent.
Also in the race are: Mohammed Frimpong, National Democratic Party (NDP); Christian Kwabena Andrews, Ghana Union Movement (GUM); Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr, Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and Akua Donkor (late but on ballot), Ghana Freedom Party (GFP).
Source: Edward Adeti/Media Without Borders/mwbonline.org/Ghana
