Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stated that the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey, which predicted a win for the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections, gave very little information.
According to Mr. Ahiagbah, a lot will happen between now and the next elections that this study would not have considered.
According to the EIU, the estimate is mostly driven by falling living conditions, restricted job possibilities, and inadequate public services.
“Ghana is likely to experience a transfer of power from the ruling New Patriotic Party to the opposition National Democratic Congress, largely driven by declining living standards, limited job opportunities and poor public services,” the EIU explained.
The Economist Group’s research and analysis section stated in its 2024 estimate for Africa.
“In South Africa, we expect the African National Congress (ANC), led by Cyril Ramaphosa, the country’s president, to win the legislative election in 2024 by a narrow margin, but there is a strong possibility that the party will fall short of the 50% mark needed for a majority.
“Under such circumstances, the ANC will try to co-opt some smaller parties, rather than the main opposition groups, to stay in power. The probability of a coalition will continue to rise as enduring socioeconomic challenges erode the ANC’s support.
“An ongoing authoritarian crackdown in Tunisia will see the incumbent win a carefully managed presidential election in 2024, prompting further civil unrest.”
According to the EIU, Africa will be the world’s second-fastest-growing major area in 2024, after Asia, which will be headed by China and India.
According to the report, practically all African countries would see positive development, with only war-torn Sudan and impoverished Equatorial Guinea forecast to decrease in 2024. Indeed, Africa will have 12 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024, with African real GDP expected to rise by 3.2% in 2024, up from 2.6% in 2023.
East Africa, which includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will once again be the most active region of the continent in terms of economic growth. The services sector, which includes resurgent travel, tourism, and hospitality, robust transport and logistics, and dynamic banking and telecommunications industries, will continue to play a significant role in boosting East African economies.
Given the fierce competition and high pricing for Africa’s supply of hydrocarbons, mining sector output, and agricultural goods, resource-intensive countries and large commodity exporters will continue to thrive. Significant investment will continue to pour into African energy enterprises, as well as minerals and metals critical to the global energy revolution and digital transformation.
But commenting on this on News 360 on TV3 Friday, November 17, Mr Ahiagbah said “In the context of the 2024 elections, the present poll offers very little insight because there is a lot between now and 2024 that will happen that this would not take account of.
“I am not sure {about} the period that they collected this data but one point I can make is that in the current environment where there appear to be economic difficulties which is across the world, not only here, it is very likely that people will be unhappy with the government.”
