Afrobarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life has issued new statistics about Ghana’s economy, public services, and taxation.
In a new survey they conducted, 9 out of 10 Ghanaians (representing 87%) say the country is heading ‘in the wrong direction.’
According to the survey, a large majority of citizens give unfavourable assessments of both their personal living conditions and the nation’s economic condition, and few are optimistic that things will improve during the coming year.
Moreover, the report which we sighted on GraphicOnline also saw Ghanaians given negative ratings about the government’s performance on key economic issues.
“Citizens’ gloomy outlook aligns with macro-level indicators on Ghana’s struggling economy in a difficult global environment. The country is seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund in hopes of stabilising the economy,” a news release issued by the Centre for Democratic Development on the survey said.
▪ Almost nine out of 10 Ghanaians (87%) say the country is heading “in the wrong direction.” Only 11% see things going in the right direction, a 24 -percentage-point decline since 2019 (Figure 1).
▪ Majorities offer negative assessments of economic conditions (Figure 2):
– 85% describe the country’s economic condition as “fairly bad” or “very bad,” up from 62% recorded in 2019.
– And 72% say their personal living conditions are “fairly bad” or “very bad,” compared to 58% three years ago.
▪ Ghanaians are not very optimistic about the economy: Only 25% expect things to be better in 12 months’ time (Figure 3).
▪ By large majorities, citizens say the government is performing “fairly badly” or “very badly” on keeping prices stable (94%), narrowing income gaps (92%), improving the living standards of the poor (85%), creating jobs (83%), and managing the economy (82%) (Figure 4).
