Ghanaians Want Honesty And Integrity In December Polls -Survey

A nationwide survey conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has revealed that Ghanaian voters regard honesty and integrity as key qualities required from a leader in the forthcoming elections. The study on the topic, �Election 2012: Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian voter�, solicited the views of 7,491 respondents to rank the best qualities of a good leader and in answering this as high as 4,761 ranked honesty and integrity as the best qualities they expected to find in a leader. In addition 3,608 respondents stated fairness as the other quality, while handsomeness, as well as wealth, trailed as the least expected from voters. The report made interesting reading as the educational background of respondents revealed that many of them who had basic educational qualification (1782) ranked honesty and integrity as the best qualities as those with secondary education numbering 1207. The nationwide survey also sought the views of the respondents on the issue of corruption which had 239 responses (45.3 per cent) urging punishing corrupt officials severely to serve as deterrent to others. The respondents also called on the government to strengthen state institutions that deal with corruption issues. The study was carried out in March 2012 with the main purpose of identifying the important matters that were of concern to the Ghanaian voter with the view to informing issues-based campaigning towards the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.