A survey conducted by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), has indicated that unemployment has become the first priority of Ghanaians in 2016 compared to the management of the economy, electricity and education in 2014.

According to Professor Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, Executive Director of CDD Afro –Barometer survey, the Ghanaian policy priority witnessed a major shift in a survey from 2014 - 2016 as a report from July 2 to July 18, 2016 indicates.

He said Ghanaians consider unemployment as a crucial issue that the 2016 election campaigns must address, followed by electricity and education.

Prof Gyimah-Boadi explained that from the survey conducted, a clear majority (64 per cent) assessed government's performance in addressing their most important problem negatively while one-third rated the performance as fairly well.

He noted that the percentage that thinks government has performed badly in addressing their most important problem remains high and stable from 2014 -2016.

Prof Gyimah-Boadi said the mood of the electorate towards the 2016 polls is broadly negative as they wish for promises from political parties that would be fulfilled.

Mr Daniel Armah Attoh, Senior Research Fellow at CDD noted that a majority of Ghanaians (57 per cent) endorse voting for the parliamentary candidate who would make policies that would benefit everyone in the country.

“An absolute majority of Ghanaians disagree with the assertion that they will vote for parties whose candidates offer gifts; identify with their religious faith, or candidates who come from their home region”, he said.

According to findings from the research, 2,400 adults of voting age were sampled and they were spread across 163 districts and 291 towns and villages in the country.