The
Central
Region
of
Ghana
has
earned
a
reputation
as
one
of
the
key
swing
regions
in
the
country’s
elections.
Historically,
its
voting
patterns
have
aligned
closely
with
the
eventual
winner
of
Ghana’s
presidential
elections.
Below
is
an
analysis
of
how
the
Central
Region
has
voted
for
the
presidential
candidate
who
ultimately
became
president
since
the
Fourth
Republic’s
inception
in
1992.
1992
Election:
Jerry
John
Rawlings
(NDC)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
Jerry
John
Rawlings
Outcome:
Rawlings
won
the
presidency
with
58.4%
of
the
national
vote.
Analysis:
The
Central
Region,
like
most
of
the
country,
strongly
supported
Rawlings
in
his
bid
to
transition
from
military
to
civilian
rule
under
the
NDC
banner.
1996
Election:
Jerry
John
Rawlings
(NDC)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
Jerry
John
Rawlings
Outcome:
Rawlings
was
re-elected,
securing
57.4%
of
the
national
vote.
Analysis:
The
Central
Region
continued
to
back
Rawlings,
ensuring
his
second
term
in
office,
as
the
NDC
maintained
dominance
in
the
region.
2000
Election:
John
Agyekum
Kufuor
(NPP)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
John
Agyekum
Kufuor
Outcome:
Kufuor
defeated
John
Atta
Mills
in
the
runoff
with
56.9%
of
the
national
vote.
Analysis:
The
Central
Region’s
shift
to
the
NPP
signalled
a
change
in
national
sentiment,
as
voters
embraced
Kufuor’s
“Positive
Change”
campaign
message.
2004
Election:
John
Agyekum
Kufuor
(NPP)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
John
Agyekum
Kufuor
Outcome:
Kufuor
won
re-election
with
52.45%
of
the
national
vote.
Analysis:
The
region
reaffirmed
its
support
for
Kufuor,
aligning
with
his
national
victory
and
reflecting
approval
of
his
first-term
governance.
2008
Election:
John
Evans
Atta
Mills
(NDC)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
John
Evans
Atta
Mills
Outcome:
Mills
narrowly
defeated
Nana
Akufo-Addo
in
a
runoff
with
50.23%
of
the
national
vote.
Analysis:
As
a
son
of
the
Central
Region,
Mills
garnered
significant
support
from
his
home
base,
which
played
a
pivotal
role
in
his
victory.
2012
Election:
John
Dramani
Mahama
(NDC)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
John
Dramani
Mahama
Outcome:
Mahama
secured
50.7%
of
the
national
vote
to
win
the
presidency.
Analysis:
The
Central
Region
once
again
sided
with
the
eventual
winner,
endorsing
Mahama’s
campaign
amid
his
ascension
to
the
presidency
following
Mills’
passing.
2016
Election:
Nana
Akufo-Addo
(NPP)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
Nana
Akufo-Addo
Outcome:
Akufo-Addo
won
decisively
with
53.85%
of
the
national
vote.
Analysis:
The
Central
Region
shifted
to
the
NPP,
signalling
discontent
with
the
NDC’s
governance
and
embracing
the
NPP’s
promise
of
economic
transformation.
2020
Election:
Nana
Akufo-Addo
(NPP)
Central
Region’s
Choice:
Nana
Akufo-Addo
Outcome:
Akufo-Addo
was
re-elected
with
51.3%
of
the
national
vote.
Analysis:
The
region’s
support
for
Akufo-Addo
reaffirmed
its
alignment
with
the
incumbent,
contributing
to
his
narrow
re-election
victory.
Key
Observations
The
Central
Region
has
consistently
voted
for
the
candidate
who
eventually
became
president
in
all
eight
elections
since
1992.