Political analyst Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere says the support for President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in recent by-elections reflects confidence in the government’s performance, particularly on economic issues.
Speaking in an interview on Metro TV’s Good Afternoon Ghana on Monday, December 8, 2025, Dr. Asante Otchere pointed to recent rerun in Ablekuma North and Akwatia by-election, as examples.
“It is not about getting over 1.7 million votes. It’s about how you are governing and how people are giving you extra mandate,” he said.
Dr. Asante Otchere noted that voters in these areas were responding to positive economic changes.
“Most often than not, what central government does influence the micro-economy of those areas. They were seeing reduction in transport fare, reduction in the fuel that they were buying, and the Cedi appreciating against the dollar. All of this culminating in the growth of the economy.”
He said the outcomes of the by-elections were predictable given the economic indicators.
“Since they are, I always say that no individual is irrational. Every human being is rational, whether educated or not educated. And so based upon these indicators and the leadership that the central government was providing, there was no way that NPP was going to win Ablekuma North and that of Akwatia,” he said.
While acknowledging issues such as illegal mining, known locally as Galamsey, Dr. Asante Otchere said these challenges could become “an albatross around their neck” if not addressed.
He also highlighted water access as a critical concern, noting that economic progress alone would not satisfy voters if basic survival needs were not met.
“Certainly, if human beings cannot get water to drink, obviously it will affect food production. And if it does, all the good things, all the economic indicators that we are seeing today will not in any way attract the human mind because survival depends on water,” he said.
Dr. Asante Otchere also expressed sympathy for opposition candidates, especially in Kpandai, where he said mounting electoral challenges would be difficult.
