Also known as: APL
Policy research organization conducting nationwide surveys on Ghana's politics, economics, and governance, publishing analysis on elections, poverty, and institutional accountability.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Africa Policy Lens
Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
A new report by policy think tank Africa Policy Lens (APL) has revealed that despite Ghana’s strong democratic credentials, public confidence in governance institutions remains low. …
Public confidence in Ghana’s governance institutions remains low despite strong democratic credentials — APL BarometerJoy Online
Despite macroeconomic progress recorded over the past year, the living conditions of many Ghanaians remain difficult, with the high cost of living continuing to exert pressure on households, policy think tank Africa Policy Lens (APL) has reported. …
Macroeconomic progress not reflecting in living conditions of Ghanaians — APL reportJoy Online
The Governance Trust Barometer, a report by policy think tank Africa Policy Lens (APL), has found that the perception of corruption remains high among citizens. …
Perception of corruption widespread among citizens — APLJoy Online
Policy think tank, the Africa Policy Lens (APL), has launched two national tracking tools—the Ghana Wellbeing Tracker and the Governance Trust Barometer—to assess governance performance and the economic realities of citizens. …
APL launches national trackers to measure governance trust and economic wellbeingThe Chronicle
… Julius Debrah The study, conducted by Africa Policy Lens, between April 17 and 19, 2026 shows a near deadlock between the two leading contenders – Party Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah – with neither candidate able to establish a decisive lead. …
NDC Presidential Primary : Mosquito Leads Julius Debrah …APL Poll RevealsThe Africa Policy Lens examined GACL's 2025 Audited Accounts and contends the GH¢30 million dividend does not reflect operational performance, citing a 9.15% fall in core operating revenue, significant reliance on non-cash revaluation gains, and continued losses at regional airports that are subsidised by Kotoka International Airport.
3 November 2026 · Joy Online →
The Africa Policy Lens examined GACL's 2025 Audited Accounts and contends the GH¢30 million dividend does not reflect operational performance, citing a 9.15% fall in core operating revenue, significant reliance on non-cash revaluation gains, and continued losses at regional airports that are subsidised by Kotoka International Airport.
3 November 2026 · Joy Online →
An analysis argues that while Ghana's debt ratio exceeded the ECOWAS 70% benchmark in 2014–2016, it improved in 2017–2019, but COVID-19 disrupted revenues and increased expenditure in 2020, significantly worsening the fiscal position and contributing to a renewed debt crisis.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An analysis contends that the Bank of Ghana's foreign exchange interventions in April 2025 were enabled by reserves of approximately US$9 billion accumulated under the Akufo-Addo administration, and argues that attributing cedi stability solely to current policy obscures the role of prior economic conditions.
14 October 2026 · Daily Guide →
Africa Policy Lens's final poll on the NPP National Chairman election predicted vote shares for all four candidates with margins of error under 0.5%, including 47.3% for winner John Boadu (actual 47.19%), according to Joy Online. The poll's accuracy was notable given that delegates elections are considered difficult to poll due to last-minute lobbying and vote-swinging strategies.
5 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An Africa Policy Lens poll of 976 NPP constituency and regional executives conducted July–August 2026 shows John Boadu leading the National Chairman race with 38.6% support, followed by Boakye Agyarko at 20.7%, but nearly a third of delegates remain undecided, keeping the contest competitive.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →
A nationwide poll of 976 NPP constituency and regional executives by Africa Policy Lens found John Boadu leading the Chairman race with 38.6% support, while Justin Kodua Frimpong (JFK) holds a commanding lead for General Secretary with 61.4%, though significant portions of delegates remain undecided.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →
APL research projects former MP Nana Akomea to win the NPP First Vice National Chairman position, leading competitors by 21.5 percentage points among surveyed delegates and stakeholders. The actual winner will be determined by accredited NPP delegates in the party's internal elections.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Africa Policy Lens says the World Bank's 10th Ghana Economic Update validates its April 2026 Ghana Wellbeing Tracker report, both concluding that despite strong economic growth and improved macroeconomic indicators, 56.4% of Ghanaians remain in poverty with a disconnect between headline growth and household living conditions.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →
The Africa Policy Lens is demanding a forensic investigation into the Ghana Gold Board following IMF disclosures that Ghana lost more than US$1.7 billion in gold trading under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme in 2025, with most losses linked to gold doré purchases and attributed to service fees, off-taker discounts, and foreign exchange spreads.
26 August 2026 · Joy Online →
According to a nationwide Africa Policy Lens survey of 16,963 respondents conducted in late July to early August 2026, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia holds 45.7 to 49.9 per cent support in seven hypothetical head-to-head contests against potential NDC presidential contenders, with his closest races against NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah (45.8 per cent for Bawumia versus 42.4 per cent) and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson (45.7 per cent versus 42.8 per cent).
19 August 2026 · The Chronicle →
A nationwide survey by Africa Policy Lens, conducted July 27 to August 7, 2026, interviewed 16,963 voters and found Vice Presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia leading in all seven hypothetical one-on-one matchups against potential NDC contenders, securing between 45.7% and 49.9% of national support and winning between 9 and 11 of Ghana's 16 regions in each matchup.
19 August 2026 · Joy Online →
A nationwide survey of 16,963 respondents by Africa Policy Lens found that honesty and integrity were identified as the single most important leadership quality expected of the next president, followed by the ability to create jobs and the impact of the economy on cost of living. The same survey tested Dr. Bawumia against seven potential NDC candidates, with him leading in all matchups.
19 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Africa Policy Lens has filed a Right to Information request with the Minerals Commission seeking full disclosure on the tender process and award of the Damang Gold Mine to Engineers & Planners, including details of the application, evaluation reports, bidding timelines, tender committee composition, and production data.
29 July 2026 · Joy Online →
A June 2026 nationwide poll by Africa Policy Lens of 3,540 NDC constituency and branch executives found National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah leading the 2028 presidential flagbearership race with 33.8% support, up from 31.9% in April, while Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu surged to second with 22.5%, up from 17.9%.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
An Africa Policy Lens survey of 3,540 NDC Constituency and Branch Executives between June 24 and July 3 shows National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah extending his lead to 33.8%, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu jumping to 22.5% for second place, and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah's support collapsing from 30.1% to 9.7% in two months.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Africa Policy Lens reports that young voters aged 18–24 are more concerned with employment opportunities and economic mobility than political party affiliations, with one-fifth exhibiting high indecision and weak partisan attachments. The survey of 6,483 voters across Ghana's 16 regions, conducted May 23–30, also found low intended electoral participation among young voters compared to older populations.
24 June 2026 · Joy Online →
A survey by Africa Policy Lens of 6,483 voters across all 16 regions found the NPP with 49% support compared to the NDC's 38%, with 8% undecided. The poll notes the electoral environment remains competitive despite the NPP's lead.
22 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Policy think tank Africa Policy Lens is calling for an urgent amendment of Section 25 of the Ghana Gold Board Act to protect the mandates of mining sector institutions and prevent financial losses from duplicated functions. APL warned that GoldBod is encroaching on mandates already assigned to other state institutions, including the Minerals Commission, NAELP, Forestry Commission, and GLRSSMP.
19 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Africa Policy Lens reports that while Ghana's macroeconomic indicators have improved, many citizens continue to face harsh living conditions due to high cost of living and persistent financial pressures. The organisation's maiden Ghana Wellbeing Tracker report found a significant disconnect between macroeconomic recovery and the day-to-day realities experienced by households across the country.
7 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Policy think tank Africa Policy Lens has launched the Ghana Wellbeing Tracker and Governance Trust Barometer, national assessment tools designed to provide citizen-centred evaluation of governance and economic conditions. The Governance Trust Barometer combines eight key areas — institutional trust, corruption perception, accountability, rule of law, government communication, citizen participation, electoral confidence and political security — into a composite index on a scale of 0 to 100.
7 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A new Governance Trust Barometer report by Africa Policy Lens finds that public perception of corruption is the most significant negative factor undermining trust in governance institutions, with citizens concerned about inconsistent application of accountability mechanisms despite legal and institutional frameworks in place.
7 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A new Africa Policy Lens Governance Trust Barometer report finds that while Ghana maintains strong democratic institutions and procedures, public confidence in governance institutions remains low, with citizens perceiving gaps between institutional form and functional performance in areas of effectiveness, integrity, and responsiveness.
6 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A Ghana Wellbeing Tracker report by policy think tank Africa Policy Lens finds a disconnect between Ghana's macroeconomic progress and the lived experiences of citizens, with high cost of living continuing to strain households despite improving headline economic indicators.
6 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Africa Policy Lens's Governance Trust Barometer report found that widespread perceptions of corruption are the single largest drag on overall trust in Ghana, despite acknowledgment of democratic legitimacy and existing laws and institutions. The report also identified weak government communication and limited citizen influence, with a Government Communication index score of 44.2 out of 100.
6 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Africa Policy Lens has unveiled the Ghana Wellbeing Tracker and Governance Trust Barometer to assess institutional trust and household wellbeing using citizen-centred methodologies. The Governance Trust Barometer combines eight domains—institutional trust, corruption perceptions, accountability, government communication, citizen voice, electoral confidence, political security, and civic participation—into a single index scaled 0 to 100.
6 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A nationwide survey of NDC constituency executives by Africa Policy Lens shows Party Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia leading with 31.9% support ahead of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah at 30.1%, in what analysts describe as a "structurally balanced" race with neither candidate establishing a decisive lead ahead of the party's 2028 presidential primary.
22 April 2026 · The Chronicle →