Opinion poll projects Agbavitor, Bright Kwashie Ege, Dan Agboka-Dzegede and Ben Siki-Abibu as front-runners in Volta NDC regional elections

Incumbent Volta Regional Chairman Mawutor Agbavitor, Regional Secretary hopeful Bright Kwashie Ege, Regional Treasurer and Regional Organiser aspirant Ben Siki-Abibu have emerged as the leading contenders in the upcoming Volta Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) elections, according to a new opinion poll by the Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana).

The survey found strong support for Mr Agbavitor to retain the regional chairmanship unopposed, while Bright Kwashie Ege, Dan Agboka-Dzegede and Ben Siki-Abibu topped the polls for the Regional Secretary, Treasurer and Regional Organiser positions respectively, signalling broad confidence in their leadership among party stakeholders.

The poll, conducted over a one-month period, sampled 686 respondents from an initial target population of 800 NDC stakeholders across all 18 constituencies in the Volta Region. According to the research team, the survey achieved a confidence level of 95% with a margin of error of ±3.7%, providing what it described as a reliable snapshot of current voting preferences within the regional party.

CFF-Ghana said the respondents were drawn from a broad spectrum of the party, including Members of Parliament, former government appointees, regional, constituency and branch executives, council of elders, senior party members, activists and grassroots supporters. Data was collected electronically through Google Forms using official Volta NDC WhatsApp platforms to minimise researcher bias and ensure geographical representation.

The survey found that 571 respondents, representing 83.8%, were registered NDC members in the Volta Region, while 115 respondents, representing 16.2%, were non-Volta NDC registrants. In terms of delegate status, 306 respondents, representing 44.6%, were delegates during the last regional election, while 380 respondents, representing 55.4%, were either potential delegates or non-delegates.

One of the major findings of the poll centred on the regional chairmanship. A total of 520 respondents, representing 75.8%, said they supported the idea that incumbent Regional Chairman Mawutor Agbavitor should contest the upcoming election unopposed. Only 166 respondents, representing 24.2%, preferred a competitive contest. The report noted that the difference between the two positions was statistically significant, indicating a strong preference among respondents for continuity in the regional leadership.

The survey also assessed likely winners for other executive positions. For the Regional Vice Chairman position, Egypt Kudoto secured the support of 53.1% of respondents, ahead of Divine Fiakpui-Dzahini, who obtained 46.9%. In the Regional Secretary race, Bright Kwashie Ege led with 43.7%, followed by Gladstone Stanley with 31% and Pascal Agbagba with 25.2%.

Respondents also gave strong endorsements to several candidates expected to seek re-election or contest key positions. Ben Siki-Abibu emerged as the overwhelming favourite for Regional Organiser, attracting 77.8% support, while Dan Kojo Agboka-Dzegede secured 79.9% support for Regional Treasurer. Kafui Agbleze recorded one of the strongest performances in the survey, receiving 81.8% backing for the Regional Communications Officer position.

In other contests, Fafa Agbai led the race for Regional Women Organiser with 53.1% support, narrowly ahead of Edna Abri on 46.9%. Junior Asiemoah Kwame received 78.4% support to become the next Regional Youth Organiser, while Hajia Tahiru obtained 81% backing in the Regional Zongo Caucus contest.

The survey further projected Bright Delali Attakuma as the preferred candidate for Deputy Regional Secretary with 53.2% support. Sebastian Dzakpasu secured 68.4% support for Deputy Regional Treasurer, while Elliott Wogbe led the Deputy Regional Organiser contest with 82.2%. Bright Delali Kugbeadzor also emerged as the preferred candidate for Deputy Regional Communications Officer with 80.9% support.

In the Deputy Youth Organiser contest, Johnson Samlafo led with 52% of the votes, followed by Daniel Chica Hamenu's 30.5% and Fieve D. Karl Julius 17.5% respectively. For Deputy Women Organiser, Cynthia Afeafa Woayor topped the poll with 44.8%, ahead of Queen Sheeba with 34.7% and Ann Awo Galley with 20.6%.

The research acknowledged a number of limitations, including low participation by some respondents, internet connectivity challenges and the possibility that some participants on the WhatsApp platforms were not registered NDC members in the Volta Region. Despite these challenges, the researchers maintained that the survey provided a credible indication of current opinions within the party.

CFF-Ghana concluded that the poll highlights a clear trend towards continuity in the leadership of the Volta Regional NDC, with many incumbent executives and leading aspirants enjoying substantial support ahead of the regional delegates conference. The organisation said the findings provide an indication of the current political mood within the party and could serve as a useful reference for stakeholders as preparations continue for the regional elections.