Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has downplayed discussions about a potential presidential ambition, describing them as premature and a distraction from the government's mandate. In an interview on Accra-based TV3's New Day programme on Friday, November 13, Dr. Ato Forson emphasized that the focus should be on delivering on the promises made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government rather than speculating about who should lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
Dr. Ato Forson's comments come amid intensified discussions about his potential candidacy following opinion polls by Global InfoAnalytics on possible contenders to lead the NDC into the 2028 general elections. The polls, conducted in September 2026, placed Dr. Ato Forson ahead of NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, with 32 per cent support against 23 per cent. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu recorded 5 per cent, while 28 per cent of delegates remained undecided.
The survey, which covered 3,615 NDC delegates across the 16 regions, had a reported margin of error of ±2.17 percentage points. A separate breakdown of the poll among card-bearing NDC members put Dr. Ato Forson at 40 per cent, ahead of Mr. Asiedu Nketia, who recorded 29 per cent, and Mr. Iddrisu, who polled 15 per cent. These findings have contributed to the growing speculation about Dr. Ato Forson's potential presidential bid.
Dr. Ato Forson stressed that the Mahama administration was elected on the back of an economic crisis and must concentrate on fulfilling its mandate. He urged that conversations about his potential presidential bid must not happen at this stage, as it would be a distraction on the mandate of President Mahama. The Finance Minister's stance is clear: the government's priorities should not be overshadowed by speculation about future leadership.
Global InfoAnalytics also tested a hypothetical 2028 presidential contest between Dr. Ato Forson and former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the Ashanti and Eastern regions. The findings put Dr. Bawumia at 46 per cent and Dr. Ato Forson at 43 per cent, a difference the pollster described as within the margin of error. This poll highlights the competitive nature of Ghanaian politics and the challenges that lie ahead for the NDC.
Despite the polls suggesting Dr. Ato Forson's popularity among NDC delegates and members, he remains firm in his stance that it is too early to discuss a presidential bid. His focus, he reiterated, is on supporting the current administration in delivering on its promises. This approach is seen as crucial in maintaining stability and momentum within the party as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.
The discussions around Dr. Ato Forson's potential presidential bid are likely to continue, given his prominent position in the government and his popularity within the party. However, for now, he has made it clear that his priority is the successful implementation of the government's mandate. The coming months will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Ghana's political landscape and the future of the NDC.
Key points
- Dr. Ato Forson has dismissed talks of a potential presidential ambition, citing the need for the government to focus on its mandate.
- The Finance Minister's stance comes amid polls suggesting his popularity within the NDC.
- Dr. Ato Forson polled 32 per cent support among NDC delegates in a September 2026 Global InfoAnalytics survey.
