Asiedu Nketia tops NDC flagbearer attribute survey

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has identified Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia as the leading potential candidate in a recent survey assessing the attributes delegates value in the party's upcoming flagbearer race. Conducted by Professor Smart Sarpong and Feedback Africa, the Political Environment Assessment Survey revealed that 24.5% of respondents believed Mr Nketia could best unite the party.

The Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, Eric Opoku, received 20.4%, while Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and former Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu were among other leading contenders. However, Professor Sarpong cautioned against interpreting these figures as predictions of who would ultimately win the NDC flagbearer race. He explained that the survey aimed to gauge delegates' views on key attributes of a potential flagbearer, particularly their ability to unify the party and suitability for leadership.

Mr Nketia's score of 27.6% in suitability for leadership narrowly surpassed Opoku's 26.4%, while Forson and Iddrisu trailed with 16.1% and 10.4%, respectively. The survey polled 9,330 respondents from 11 regions, including stakeholders and NDC delegates. Professor Sarpong noted that the survey's findings might change as potential candidates formally declare their nomination forms and begin campaigning.

He added that uncertainty over some candidates' participation and geographical factors could influence delegates' choices. The survey also found Ghana's overall political environment to be relatively calm, with 52.1% of respondents describing it as such. Unemployment and lack of job opportunities were the most urgent concerns for constituencies, accounting for 40.4% of responses.