Kufuor's lead sparks controversy

The Public Agenda says whereas last week's announcement of pre-election polls put the NPP ahead and brought jubilation in its camp, the information sparked off annoyance, jeering and rejection in other parties.

The exercise, conducted by researchers of the School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, put Kufuor tops with 52.1 per cent in voters perception in his ability and capacity to meet their needs, and the NDC's John Atta Mills follows with 31.4. PNC's Dr Mahama, 7.8 per cent, CPP's George Hagan 4.9, NRP's Goosie Tanoh, 3.2, UGM's Dr Wereko-Brobby, 0.4 and GCPP's Dan Lartey 0.1 follow in that order.

"The polls do not reflect what is on the ground," protested George Quaynor-Mettle, the NDC's propaganda secretary."

His reaction, according to the paper echoes those of representatives of the Reform Party and the UGM.

A member of a group working for Atta-Mills campaign equally wrote off the report saying their own research indicated Kufuor is unlikely to win a first round victory although there is the possibility for a run off if he maintains the 40 per cent he had in the last election.

Mr Larry Adotey, UGM's vice presidential candidate, obviously surprised at his party's poor showing in the survey defended that the UGM was more popular than what the report indicated.