Public backs Mahama’s performance but …

Public support for President John Dramani Mahama remains strong, one year after he assumed office, according to a new nationwide survey by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

Despite this support, Ghanaians have called for urgent action on unemployment and illegal mining.

The poll, conducted in December 2025, across all regions and sampling more than 1,000 respondents, found that 68 per cent of Ghanaians approve of President Mahama’s job performance, while about 22 per cent disapprove, with 10 per cent expressing no opinion.

Despite the solid approval rating, economic hardship remains a dominant concern for most Ghanaians.

Seven in 10 respondents (71 per cent) said they were “very concerned” about the rising cost of food and other consumer goods, while an additional 20 per cent said they were “somewhat concerned.”

In total, 91 per cent of those surveyed expressed at least some level of anxiety about the cost of living.

Nearly half of respondents (46 per cent) identified unemployment as the most pressing issue facing the country today, making it the top concern, while illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, was cited by 30 per cent as the second most important challenge.

Corruption (9 per cent) and the general state of the economy (8 per cent) were mentioned less frequently.

The findings also highlighted a complex public mood: confidence in the President’s leadership alongside deep frustration over persistent socioeconomic challenges.

“While the President enjoys a strong approval rating, the data clearly showed that concerns about unemployment and rising prices remained widespread. Ghanaians are supportive, but they expect tangible improvements in their daily lives,” the IEA survey said.

President Mahama, who took office on January 7, 2025, inherited an economy grappling with high public debt, inflation, a depreciating currency and elevated unemployment, the survey said.

Although key macroeconomic indicators had shown signs of improvement over the past year, many households continued to grapple with high food prices and limited job opportunities.

The prominence of illegal mining among public concerns also underscores growing anxiety over environmental degradation, water pollution and the sustainability of natural resources.

“The fight against galamsey must be intensified to protect communities and secure the country’s future,” it added.

The survey suggested that while President Mahama maintained a solid base of public support, future approval will likely hinge on the government’s ability to deliver visible results in job creation, cost-of-living relief and the regulation of illegal mining activities.

As one respondent summarised, “We believe in the President’s direction, but we need to see more jobs and lower prices. That is what will make the difference.”

GNA

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