A senior researcher at Kumasi Technical University, Smart Sarpong, has urged caution in interpreting opinion polls predicting outcomes of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primary, stressing that research findings are estimates and not substitutes for actual voting results.
Speaking on The Bulletin on Asaase Radio on Monday (19 January), Sarpong clarified that his recent research on the NPP presidential race was not designed to confirm or contradict other surveys circulating in the public space.
“The intention of my research was not necessarily to contrast or confirm any other work,” he said, explaining that differences in outcomes are often the result of varying research designs, sampling methods and instruments.
According to him, if two studies use the same population, sample size and methodology, their findings are likely to be similar. However, once these variables differ, contrasting results are inevitable.
Sarpong noted that with an estimated delegate population exceeding 200,000, individual preferences will naturally vary, making it difficult for any single survey to perfectly mirror election-day results.
He warned against researchers presenting survey outcomes as definitive predictions, arguing that academic research should remain neutral.
“Our work is to consult the people, talk to them, and present the sample outcomes. When the voting is over, the actual results will come,” he said.
While acknowledging that momentum appears to be shifting in favour of some candidates, Prof. Sarpong maintained that polls should be used as strategic tools for aspirants to identify weaknesses rather than as declarations of victory.
With less than two weeks to the NPP’s flagbearer election, he said although most delegates may have already made up their minds, political campaigns should not become complacent.
“In politics, every day matters. Even at this stage, things can still change,” he added.
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
