A Survey conducted by the Danquah Institute (DI) finds that 87.8 percent of Ghanaians believe President Akufo Addo has demonstrated quality and effective crisis leadership when asked to assess the President’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. In the survey, 7.5 percent of the respondents indicated neutral, while 4.8 percent said they were not pleased.
The 4.8 percent of the respondents who expressed a contrary opinion said they expected a complete shutdown of the country and not the considered partial shutdown and the 48-hour lapse between the announcement and the enforcement of the order. These are legitimate views excerpt that reality and compelling public interest burden often trumps all personal biases in a national crisis.
The endorsement of the President’s response above is validated by respondents when they were asked whether or not they agreed specifically with the shutdown order of Accra, Tema, Kasoa, and Greater Kumasi. In answering, 87 percent of the respondents said they agree with the shutdown.
In a verifying question, respondents were also asked if they are aware of the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana. A staggering 100 percent of the respondents indicated they are aware of the pandemic. The 100 percent awareness of the pandemic shows that the overwhelming endorsements are a product of an objective assessment of performance by informed respondents.
Indeed, the findings of this survey track or confirm the general opinion estimate of President Akufo Addo’s leadership and handling of the pandemic.
The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the British broadcaster Mr. Piers Morgan agreed with respondents when they both commended President Akufo Addo, for his bold public interest first disposition to fighting COVID-19.
Also, a statement attributed to the National Communication Officer of the NDC, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, suggests he endorses the President’s leadership and handling of the COVID-19 crisis thus far.
