Ato Forson closes gap as NDC flagbearer race tightens
A new tracking poll by Global InfoAnalytics has revealed a rapidly tightening contest within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), with Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson emerging as a strong challenger to party chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia ahead of the 2028 flagbearer race.
The poll, conducted between March 31 and April 9, 2026, among nearly 10,400 delegates across all 16 regions, shows Asiedu Nketia maintaining the lead with 29 percent support. However, his once commanding advantage has narrowed significantly within a week.
In the first round of the survey, Asiedu Nketia led with 28 percent against Ato Forson’s 12 percent, creating a 16-point gap. But in the second round, Ato Forson surged to 19 percent, cutting the margin to just 10 points.
This shift reflects a notable consolidation of undecided voters toward the finance minister. The undecided bloc dropped from 36 percent in Week 1 to 24 percent in Week 2, suggesting that as the race gains clarity, support is beginning to coalesce around key contenders.
Political analysts say Ato Forson’s rise is particularly significant because he has not formally declared his intention to contest. Despite this, his growing support base indicates strong grassroots appeal and positioning as a credible alternative within the party.
Haruna Iddrisu, another prominent figure in the race, polled 11 percent, while Julius Debrah and Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang each secured 8 percent. The remaining candidates collectively accounted for just 1 percent, underscoring a race increasingly dominated by a few leading figures.
Head-to-head comparisons further illustrate the tightening dynamics. Asiedu Nketia leads Ato Forson 37 percent to 32 percent in a direct contest, a margin significantly narrower than his advantage over other contenders.
Regional data also highlights vulnerabilities in the chairman’s support base. In the Northern Region, Haruna Iddrisu commands 35 percent support, while Asiedu Nketia trails at 26 percent. Meanwhile, in key swing regions such as Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, and Western, both Nketia and Ato Forson are tied at 28 percent, signalling competitive balance in electorally decisive areas.
Despite maintaining the lead, Asiedu Nketia’s ongoing nationwide “thank you” tour appears to have had limited impact in expanding his support base, with only marginal gains recorded.
