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.”
RelatedNews
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.
