President John Dramani Mahama continues to enjoy majority public support 18 months into his administration, although a new survey by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) indicates that his approval ratings have softened compared to the end of 2025.
The nationwide poll, conducted in May 2026 across all 16 regions, found that 58.9 percent of Ghanaians approve of the President’s performance in office, while 28.4 percent disapprove. Another 12.8 percent of respondents said they had no opinion.
The findings, released on June 10, 2026, suggest that while most Ghanaians remain satisfied with the direction of the country under President Mahama’s leadership, expectations are growing for improvements in everyday living conditions.
The latest approval rating represents a decline from the 68 percent recorded in December 2025, signalling that public confidence, though still strong, may be increasingly tied to the government’s ability to translate economic progress into tangible benefits for households.
According to the IEA, economic management remains the administration’s strongest source of public support. Among respondents who approved of the President’s performance, nearly three-quarters cited the economy as the principal reason for their endorsement.
Road infrastructure development emerged as the second most cited factor behind the President’s approval, while improvements in the energy sector received relatively limited mention.
The survey points to several economic indicators that may have influenced positive public perceptions. Inflation has reportedly fallen significantly since the beginning of 2025, while the Ghana cedi has strengthened against major international currencies. The report also highlighted reductions in interest rates, improved lending conditions, a lower debt-to-GDP ratio and upgrades to Ghana’s sovereign credit ratings by major international rating agencies.
Despite these gains, the survey reveals that many Ghanaians remain concerned about the pace at which macroeconomic improvements are affecting their personal circumstances.
Among respondents who disapproved of the President’s performance, the economy was again the dominant issue, with many indicating that they have yet to experience meaningful improvements in their standard of living.
Electricity supply was identified as another major source of dissatisfaction, reflecting concerns arising from power interruptions experienced in several parts of the country in recent months.
Corruption also featured prominently among the concerns raised by critics of the administration, underscoring continued public demand for stronger accountability and governance reforms.
The IEA concluded that the survey paints a picture of a population that remains broadly supportive of President Mahama’s leadership but expects continued progress in addressing issues that directly affect livelihoods, including employment, cost of living, reliable electricity supply and governance.
The report suggests that while economic stability has strengthened public confidence in the administration, sustaining that support will depend largely on whether ordinary Ghanaians begin to experience the benefits of the country’s improving macroeconomic outlook in their daily lives.
