An independent research network based in Accra, Ghana looks to conduct a survey on democracy, governance, economy and society that had been postponed due to security risks during the war in the north. Afro Barometer (AB) has managed to bridge the data gap, providing data that represents the perspectives of 80pc citizens across Africa for over two decades, with a track record of over 350,000 interviews in 39 countries. In a press brief held on Wednesday last week, the panellists reaffirmed their plan to complete the round-nine survey with Congo Brazzaville, Guinea-Bissau left, "hopefully" Ethiopia rounding it up to a total of 40 countries. According to Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi (PhD), chairman of the board, remarked on the high demand for data analysis by policy and development stakeholders worldwide. He said the past year was remarkable as they managed to create a major impact by surveying 33 countries. "It's a record-breaking achievement in a year," he said. The Afrobarometer National Partner in Ethiopia, ABCON – Research & Consulting, is expected to partner and conduct a survey by the second quarter of the year if the deal will hold, according to Joseph Asunka, CEO of Afrobarometer.