68% Approval Despite Economic Strain: IEA Survey Reveals Ghanaian Public Sentiment on President Mahama

Introduction: A Paradox of Public Opinion

In a finding that presents a nuanced picture of the Ghanaian electorate, a major national survey has disclosed that a significant majority of citizens approve of President John Dramani Mahama’s job performance, even as they voice deep anxieties about their personal economic circumstances. The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana’s “Ghanaian Sentiment Survey,” conducted in December 2025, indicates that 68% of Ghanaians polled express approval for the President’s work one year into his administration. This statistic stands in stark contrast to the overwhelming economic concerns revealed in the same poll, where 91% of respondents express at least some level of worry about the rising cost of living. This article provides a detailed, SEO-optimized breakdown of the IEA survey results, exploring the potential disconnect between presidential approval ratings and public sentiment on pressing socio-economic issues like inflation, unemployment, and illegal mining (galamsey). We will analyze the key data points, contextualize them within Ghana’s recent economic history, and offer insights into what this means for governance and policy in the West African nation.

Key Points: The IEA Survey at a Glance

The following bullet points distill the most critical findings from the IEA’s press release dated February 11, 2026, based on a poll of over 1,000 Ghanaians across all regions.

• Presidential Approval: 68% of Ghanaians approve of President John Dramani Mahama’s job performance. Only 22% disapprove, and 10% have no opinion.
• Cost of Living Crisis: 71% of citizens are “very concerned” about the price of food and consumer goods, with an additional 20% “somewhat concerned.” A combined 91% express some level of concern.
• Top National Concern: Unemployment is identified as the most pressing issue facing the country, named by 46% of respondents.
• Environmental Threat: Illegal mining (galamsey) is the second most cited national worry, highlighted by 30% of Ghanaians, reflecting deep environmental and water pollution fears.
• Other Critical Issues: Corruption (9%) and the general state of the economy (8%) round out the top four national challenges cited by voters.
• Methodology Note: The survey was conducted nationally in December 2025, polling over 1,000 individuals across all administrative regions of Ghana.

Background: Ghana’s Economic Context and the IEA

Ghana’s Recent Economic Challenges

To understand this survey, one must first recall the economic landscape President Mahama inherited. He assumed office on January 7, 2025, following a period characterized by significant macroeconomic instability. The preceding years were marked by elevated public debt, substantial currency depreciation against major trading currencies, persistently high inflation rates that eroded purchasing power, and a stubbornly high unemployment rate, particularly among youth. These factors combined to create a severe cost-of-living crisis, making daily sustenance a challenge for many Ghanaian households. While the IEA notes that “most key economic indicators appear to be moving in the right direction,” the tangible improvement in these metrics has yet to translate into widespread relief at the individual level, as the survey on cost-of-living concerns starkly demonstrates.

About the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana

The Institute of Economic Affairs is a prominent, independent, and non-partisan public policy think tank based in Accra, Ghana. Established to promote economic and democratic governance, the IEA regularly conducts public opinion surveys, policy analyses, and advocacy. Its “Ghanaian Sentiment Survey” is a key barometer of public mood. The credibility of its findings rests on its stated methodology of national, random sampling. The release of such a survey is a significant event in Ghana’s media and political landscape, often cited by policymakers, journalists, and researchers to gauge the national pulse on governance and the economy.

Analysis: Reconciling High Approval with Deep Economic Anxiety

The central puzzle presented by the IEA data is the divergence between a robust presidential approval rating (68%) and near-universal concern about the cost of living (91%). This is not a simple contradiction but a complex phenomenon that political scientists and sociologists would recognize as having several potential, non-mutually-exclusive explanations.

Potential Explanations for the Approval-Anxiety Gap

1. Comparative Assessment and “Lesser of Evils” Dynamics: Ghanaians may be judging President Mahama not against an idealized standard, but against the recent past or perceived alternatives. If the economic situation is perceived as having stabilized or shown signs of improvement from a dire 2023-2024, public sentiment might credit the current leadership for halting a downward spiral, even if recovery is incomplete. Furthermore, if the political opposition is viewed unfavorably or lacks a compelling alternative narrative, incumbency can provide a default approval buffer.

2. Attribution of Global vs. Local Factors: Respondents may separate the President’s personal efficacy from the broader global economic headwinds (such as global inflation, supply chain issues, or commodity price shocks). They might believe the President is doing a competent job given the difficult circumstances, managing a bad situation as well as could be expected. The IEA’s own phrasing that the President has “maintained a solid base of public support despite common socio-economic challenges” supports this interpretation.

3. Non-Economic Dimensions of Approval: Job approval is a multi-dimensional concept. The 68% may reflect satisfaction with areas beyond the immediate economy, such as perceived honesty, national security, foreign policy diplomacy, infrastructure projects, or communication style. The survey did not drill down into which aspects of his presidency voters are approving of, leaving this as a crucial area for further research.

4. Hope for Future Action: The high approval could be a expression of “hope” or “trust” that the President will eventually address the cost-of-living concerns. It may be an endorsement of his perceived intent or long-term vision rather than a review of current material conditions.

5. Polling Methodology and Social Desirability Bias: While the IEA is reputable, the 68% figure is derived from what people tell pollsters. In some contexts, there can be a tendency for respondents to give socially acceptable or “polite” answers, or to express support for the sitting president out of a sense of patriotism or deference to authority. The 10% “no opinion” response might capture some of this ambivalence.

The Primacy of Unemployment and Galamsey

The survey’s ranking of issues is profoundly telling. While the cost of living is a daily, personal pain point, unemployment (46%) is identified as the single most pressing national problem. This suggests Ghanaians view job creation as the foundational solution to economic distress. The prominence of galamsey (30%) is also critical. It transcends mere economic concern, touching on environmental sustainability, public health (water pollution), and intergenerational equity. The fact that these two issues outrank “the general state of the economy” (8%) indicates that abstract economic indicators are less salient to voters than concrete problems like joblessness and poisoned rivers. This is a vital insight for policymakers: addressing the symptoms (cost of living) may be less politically potent than tackling the root causes (unemployment, environmental destruction).

Practical Advice: Policy and Communication Implications

For policymakers, communicators, and civic educators, the IEA survey offers clear, actionable insights.

For the Presidency and Executive Branch

• Bridge the Perception Gap: The administration must explicitly connect its macroeconomic policies (which the IEA suggests are moving “in the right direction”) to tangible improvements in job markets and household budgets. Communication should focus on the causal chain: policy X leads to outcome Y, which reduces unemployment/ inflation.
• Prioritize Visible Action on Galamsey: With 30% of the nation citing it as a top fear, a visible, credible, and sustained campaign against illegal mining is non-negotiable. Success here would demonstrate decisive leadership on a deeply emotional issue.
• Targeted Cost-of-Living Interventions: While broad macroeconomic management is key, consider short-to-medium term, well-targeted social safety nets or subsidies for the most vulnerable (e.g., food vouchers, fuel allocations for public transport) to directly alleviate the 91% concerned about prices. The political capital from high approval can be spent here.

For opposition parties and civil society

• Hold the Line on Issues, Not Just Ratings: The high approval rating does not mean the public is satisfied. Opposition and CSOs should relentlessly frame the narrative around the gap between approval and lived experience. The question to pose is: “You approve of the President, but are you and your family better off?”
• Build a Coherent Alternative: With unemployment the #1 issue, any credible alternative must present a detailed, credible job creation plan, particularly for youth. This plan must also integrate sustainable environmental management to counter galamsey.
• Utilize the Data: Use the IEA’s own numbers (68% approval, 91% concerned) to argue that the public has given the President a mandate of trust that is being underutilized on their most urgent needs.

For the Media and Public Discourse

• Move Beyond the Headline: Reporting should avoid the simplistic “President Popular Despite Hardship” trope. Instead, it should dissect the *why*: What does “approve” mean? Which policies are approved? Which demographics approve most/least?
• Hold Issue-Based Forums: Organize town halls and debates focused squarely on the top four issues: unemployment, galamsey, cost of living, and corruption. The high approval rating provides a stable backdrop for these vital conversations.
• Longitudinal Tracking: The IEA should be encouraged to conduct this survey regularly. Tracking these numbers over time will reveal if the approval-anxiety gap is narrowing or widening, providing a clearer trend than a single snapshot.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

Q1: Does a 68% approval rating mean President Mahama is guaranteed re-election?

No. Approval ratings are a snapshot of sentiment at a specific time, often a year before an election. They are not predictive. Much can change in the next 12-24 months. The key variable will be whether the material conditions underlying the 91% cost-of-living concern improve significantly. History is replete with leaders with high mid-term approval who lost re-election due to economic deterioration.

Q2: Is it possible the IEA survey is biased or flawed?

The IEA is a respected, non-partisan institution. However, all polls have margins of error and methodological limitations (e.g., sampling, question wording, response rates). The 1,000+ sample size is standard for national polls and provides a reasonable margin of error (typically +/-3%). The disclaimer from Multimedia Group Limited (the publisher) clarifies that reader comments do not represent their view, but it does not discredit the IEA survey data itself. Critical analysis should focus on the questions asked and the demographic breakdowns, which the summary does not fully provide.

Q3: Why is ‘galamsey’ such a big concern at 30%?

Galamsey is not just an environmental issue; it is a visceral, multi-faceted crisis in Ghana. It directly poisons water bodies that communities rely on for drinking, fishing, and agriculture. It degrades arable land, destroys forests, and is often associated with social ills, child labor, and corruption in the permitting process. Its 30% ranking indicates it is seen as a national security and survival issue, not just an ecological one.

Q4: How does this compare to previous presidents’ approval ratings?

Without direct comparative survey data from the exact same methodology and timing for previous administrations (e.g., President Akufo-Addo in 2017 or President Mills in 2010), any comparison would be speculative. Presidential approval ratings are highly context-dependent, influenced by the economic cycle, global conditions, and specific events. The 68% figure is relatively high by global standards for a leader midway through a term facing economic hardship, making the Ghanaian case particularly noteworthy.

Q5: What about the 22% who disapprove? What are their main reasons?

The IEA summary does not provide the specific reasons for disapproval. It is logical to infer that a significant portion of this 22% are likely driven by the same economic anxieties (cost of living, unemployment) that trouble the 91%. Their disapproval may stem from a belief that the President is not doing enough, is not competent, or is responsible for the hardships. Further qualitative research (focus groups, open-ended survey questions) would be needed to understand this segment.

Conclusion: A Mandate of Hope Tempered by Urgent Reality

The IEA’s December 2025 survey paints a portrait of a Ghanaian public that is economically anxious yet politically tolerant of the incumbent. The 68% approval for President Mahama represents a significant reservoir of public goodwill and a potential mandate for action. However, this goodwill exists alongside an overwhelming and urgent cry for relief on the issues that matter most in daily life: the price of food, the availability of jobs, and the health of the environment. The data suggests that this goodwill is not unconditional; it is likely predicated on the belief that the President is managing a difficult situation competently and will eventually deliver tangible results. The defining challenge for the second half of President Mahama’s term is to convert this approval capital into concrete victories against unemployment and galamsey, thereby aligning the public’s positive sentiment about his leadership with a positive sentiment about their own economic prospects. Failure to bridge this gap risks a rapid erosion of support, as economic realities ultimately outweigh abstract approval. The survey is less a celebration of popularity and more a urgent roadmap of the problems that must be solved.

Sources and Methodology

The primary source for this analysis is the press release from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana, dated February 11, 2026, titled “Public Support for President Mahama Remains High Despite Economic Concerns – IEA Survey.” The data derives from the IEA’s “Ghanaian Sentiment Survey” conducted in December 2025. The survey sampled over 1,000 Ghanaians from all administrative regions of the country. The methodology is described by the IEA