5 polls predict Ghana's next president:

With just 12 days to go before Ghana's general elections, the presidential race is heating up. Researchers have weighed in with their predictions, and it's a close call between the top two candidates.

*Poll Predictions:*

- The UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit predicts opposition candidate John Mahama will win, driven by declining living standards and poor public services .

- Fitch Solutions also forecasts a win for Mahama, despite increased government spending .

- A Ghanaian-based firm's final poll predicts Mahama will win with 51.9% of the vote, followed by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with 40.5% .

- Professor Smart Sarpong's survey projects a potential first-round victory for Dr. Bawumia, with 49.1% of the vote .

It's clear that the election will be closely contested, with the two main parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), having a higher chance of winning. The Electoral Commission of Ghana has pledged to ensure a free, fair, and transparent process .