An independent study on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) forthcoming presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026, offers a rare, methodically rigorous glimpse into the mindset of party delegates, emphasising both the complexity of voter behaviour and the importance of neutral data collection.

The study, conducted by an independent researcher, chartered accountant, lecturer and financial economist, Dr Evans Duah, tracked delegate preferences through a three-wave nationwide survey spanning August 2025 to 9th January 2026.

Methodology at the Forefront

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse Show on Monday, January 19, Dr Duah emphasised that the credibility of the survey rested on careful attention to methodology.

“We first tell the enumerators to be very neutral,” he said. “Most of the people who call respondents are volunteers, lecturers, MPhil students, PhD candidates and recent graduates. Their role is to ask questions accurately, without influencing responses.”

Enumerators asked delegates two core questions: who they voted for in the November 2023 primaries and who they plan to vote for in the 31st January 2026 primaries.

While the original survey included a third question on respondents’ “next-best alternative”, Dr Duah explained that data was excluded to focus exclusively on first-choice preferences.

Handling Undecided and Non-Responsive Delegates

The survey also accounted for delegates who were undecided or unwilling to disclose their voting intentions, categories that Dr Duah highlighted as critical for accurate interpretation.

“We have those who are still undecided and those who were not comfortable telling us who they want to vote for,” he noted.

Implications Beyond the Front-Runner

While the survey results place Kennedy Agyapong firmly in the lead, Dr Duah suggested the more significant takeaway lies in understanding shifts in delegate behaviour over time, the role of undecided voters, and the factors influencing decision-making within the party.