As the year 2025 came to a close, findings from a public perception survey conducted by the Centre for Public Discourse Analysis (CPDA) provided fresh insight into how Ghanaians viewed President John Dramani Mahama’s first presidential press conference of the year.
The survey, conducted after the President’s first press conference, examined public perception of his leadership, communication style, preparedness, and understanding of national issues. The findings offer insight into how citizens assessed presidential communication during the year under review.
According to the findings, a majority of respondents expressed satisfaction with the President’s performance. About 58.7% of participants said the President provided enough information on issues affecting the country, while 54.5% believed he addressed controversial matters adequately.
The President’s demeanour and attitude during the press conference received the strongest approval. The survey shows that 81.8% of respondents felt he demonstrated the right attitude and conduct, suggesting strong public confidence in his leadership presence. In addition, 76.9% said they were impressed with the overall setup and organisation of the press conference.
On more sensitive national concerns, opinions were more mixed. While 58% of respondents agreed that the President addressed the most pressing issues facing Ghana, 46.9% felt he did enough to address ongoing conflicts in the country. However, a notable number of respondents remained unsure, reflecting the complex nature of public expectations.
From the survey, 69.2% of respondents said the President answered questions effectively. 21.7% disagreed, while 9.1%said they were unsure.
On preparedness, 76.9% of respondents believed President Mahama was well prepared for the press conference. 11.9 % said he was not, and 11.2% responded “maybe.”
The issue of tone also received strong approval. 79% of respondents said the President demonstrated the right tone during the interaction. 14% said no, while 7% were undecided.
When asked whether the President connected with Ghanaians and carried them along, 68.4 % answered yes. However, 21% said no, and 10.5% said maybe.
The survey further revealed mixed views on transparency. 62.9% of respondents said the President was transparent and open in his responses. 20.3% disagreed, while 16.8% said maybe.
On whether the President is on top of issues affecting the country, 64.3% responded yes. 17.5% said no, and 18.2% remained unsure.
Speaking on the importance of the study, the lead researcher, Prof. Godwin Este Sikanku, said the findings play a key role in strengthening democratic accountability.
“The significance of this research is that it contributes to democratic accountability and public assessment of the conference’s effectiveness and overall communicative impact, offering insights into how presidential communication is received and interpreted by the citizenry,” he said.
The CPDA survey adds to the broader national conversation on governance and communication, making it a relevant reflection point as Ghana reviews political leadership and public engagement over the past year.
By: Prof. Godwin Este Sikanku
