Mahama approval falls to 58.9% but majority still back him – IEA poll

A majority of Ghanaians continue to approve of President John Dramani Mahama’s performance in office, according to a new nationwide survey by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), although his approval rating has declined compared with levels recorded in late 2025.

The poll, conducted in May 2026 among more than 1,000 respondents across all 16 regions, found that 58.9% of Ghanaians approve of the President’s performance, while 28.4% disapprove and 12.8% expressed no opinion.

The findings were released on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in an IEA report assessing public sentiment on Mr Mahama’s leadership 18 months after he assumed office in January 2025.

While the latest figures show a majority still backing the President, they represent a fall from the 68% approval rating recorded in December 2025.

The IEA said the results suggest that although public support for the President remains broadly positive, there is growing expectation that improvements in macroeconomic indicators will translate into tangible gains in living standards.

The economy emerged as the strongest driver of support for the President.

Among respondents who approved of his performance, 73.5% cited economic conditions as the main reason, while 16% pointed to road infrastructure development. Energy and electricity accounted for 2.7%.

The report linked the positive assessment of the economy to improvements in key macroeconomic indicators since January 2025.

It noted that inflation fell from 23.5% in January 2025 to about 3.4% in April 2026, while the cedi appreciated by 26% against major foreign currencies. The Bank of Ghana’s policy rate also declined from 27% to 14%, with average commercial lending rates falling from about 32% to 20%.

According to the IEA, Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio also dropped from 61.8% at the end of 2024 to 45.3% by the end of 2025, while international credit rating agencies — Fitch, Moody’s and S&P — upgraded the country’s sovereign ratings.

However, concerns remain among respondents who disapproved of the President’s performance.

Of those, 30.9% cited the economy, suggesting that many households are yet to feel the impact of the broader recovery. Electricity supply was the second most cited concern, at 29.9%, with the IEA linking this to recent power supply disruptions experienced in May 2026 in parts of the country.

Corruption was cited by 19.1% of respondents who disapproved, reflecting continued public demand for stronger anti-corruption measures.

In its summary, the IEA said the findings point to a public that remains broadly supportive of the President but increasingly expects economic progress to translate into improved living conditions.

“The findings suggest that Ghanaians are broadly supportive of the President’s leadership but are expectant that the progress recorded at the macro level will increasingly be felt in their daily lives,” the report said.