A nationwide tracking poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics indicates that a majority of Ghanaians believe their standard of living has improved over the past year, pointing to growing public optimism following the rollout of the 2026 national budget.

According to the survey, released on Monday, December 29, 56 per cent of respondents said their living conditions are better than a year ago, while 27 per cent reported no change. Only 12 per cent said their standard of living had declined, with 5 per cent undecided. Looking ahead, optimism remains strong, as 70 per cent of voters expressed confidence that their standard of living will improve further in 2026, compared to 18 per cent who were pessimistic.

Public reaction to the 2026 budget, presented by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, was largely positive. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (66 per cent) said they were satisfied with the budget, 18 per cent expressed dissatisfaction, while 16 per cent remained neutral.

The poll also captured perceptions of governance and accountability. About 56 per cent of respondents believe the situation regarding corruption has improved, and 60 per cent feel the government is doing enough to combat the problem. On the issue of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey, 47 per cent of respondents said the situation has not worsened under the Mahama administration, including 43 per cent of respondents from mining areas.

Overall, the findings suggest that recent economic policies, alongside governance and anti-corruption initiatives, are resonating with a significant portion of the population and strengthening public confidence in Ghana’s overall direction.