Pollsters ‘poll-down’ rival parties, and ‘poll-up’ sponsors whose batteries are about to die — Prof Kwesi Yankah

Renowned academic and former Minister of State, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has taken a swipe at polling institutions in Ghana, questioning their credibility in the run-up to the December 7 general elections.

In a social media post on Monday, December 2, Prof. Yankah accused pollsters of bias and manipulative practices, suggesting their predictions often favor sponsors over objectivity.

Prof. Yankah, in his commentary, alleged that pollsters prioritize sponsors who may be losing momentum.

“The duty of pollsters these days is to simply ‘poll-down’ rival parties, and ‘poll-up’ sponsors whose batteries are about to die,” he quipped.

He further warned candidates who rely on such polls and prophecies, noting that history has shown that the phrase “comfortable lead” in Ghana’s elections could be misleading.

“2024 flagbearers that have been assured to be ‘in a comfortable lead’ by prophets and pollsters better advise themselves and begin weeping over their comfortable lead,” he wrote, hinting at the fallout that often follows overly optimistic projections.

This comes at a time when various polls have predicted conflicting outcomes for the upcoming elections between the two leading parties, with some pollsters even staking their reputations—and lives—on the accuracy of their forecasts.