Claim: The Ashanti Region has always delivered the highest number of votes for the NDC

Source: Matthew Opoku Prempeh, alias Napo

Verdict: False

Researched by Nusrat Essah

The Vice Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 presidential election, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has claimed the Ashanti Region has consistently delivered the highest votes for the National Democratic Congress(NDC) in successive elections. 

In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu, on January 14, 2025, Dr Opoku Prempeh also known as NAPO, answered questions about the NDC’s voter performance in the Ashanti Region and said; “Ashanti Region being probably, at that time, the most populous region for voters, but, people also should understand that for a long time, the highest region for NDC votes has always been the Ashanti Region.”

He continued: “… I am saying that the NDC’s single highest regional votes (is the Ashanti Region), if the NDC says that they have a World Bank, the vote of the NDC World Bank is in the Ashanti Region.” (watch between 8minutes: 50 seconds onwards)

Fact-Check

In verifying the claim GhanaFact reviewed data from the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.

During the 2016 general elections, Ghana had 10 regions which was increased to 16 by 2019, therefore the 2020 and 2024 elections were conducted under the 16 region structure.

NDC votes by region (2016-2024)

Regions 2016  2020 2024
Western  455,838 398,549 423,245
Central 405,262 538,829 562,620
Greater Accra 946,048 1,326,489 1,260,832
Volta  629,398 606,508 584,234
Eastern  397,786 470,999 453,234
Ashanti 503,497 653,149 697,076
Northern 587,783 476,550 529,456
Upper East  271,796 335,502 361,597
Upper West  167,032 238,972 242,852
Brong Ahafo/Bono 442,789 203,329 253,681
Bono East 213,694 216,691
Ahafo 116,485 130,106
Western North 196,556 202,689
Oti 181,021 182,470
Savannah 144,244 134,563
North East 112,306 111,051

From the table above, in 2016, the Greater Accra Region delivered the highest votes for the NDC (946,048), followed by the Volta region (629,398) and Northern Region (587,783). The Ashanti region ranked fourth with 503,497 votes.

In 2020, the Greater Accra Region again delivered the highest votes for the NDC (1,326,489), followed by the Ashanti region (653,149).

In 2024, the Greater Accra Region retained its position with the highest votes for NDC (1,260,832), followed by the Ashanti region with 697,076 votes.

Between the last three elections, the Greater Accra Region has consistently delivered the highest number of votes for the NDC. 

Election cycle  NDC’s Ashanti votes   Ranking per national votes
2016 (10 regions) 503,497 4th highest 
2020 (16 regions) 653,149 2nd highest 
2024 (16 regions) 697,076 2nd highest

While the Ashanti region contributes significantly to the NDC’s votes, it does not give the party its highest vote.

Verdict

Therefore, the claim is rated false

NOTE: GhanaFact reached out to the spokesperson of the 2024 NPP running mate but we have yet to receive a response. This report will be amended to reflect his views as and when we get a reply.