Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, says the cost of living for Ghanaians has worsened after one year of the NDC government, describing the current economic situation as a “reverse” rather than a reset.
Speaking at a forum assessing the government’s first year in office, dubbed the People’s Forum, Mr. Aboagye argued that although inflation has declined and the cedi has appreciated against the US dollar, household expenditure continues to rise faster than incomes.
According to him, the prices of essential goods and services have increased, placing further strain on households across the country.
“If this is a reset, then we are in trouble,” he said. “The views from the People’s Forum show that we are not experiencing a reset but a reverse, and the people are upset.”
Mr. Aboagye maintained that there is a disconnect between the economic indicators government is highlighting and the realities faced by ordinary Ghanaians.
“They are upset because inflation and the dollar are dropping, yet the cost of living keeps rising. There is a disconnect between the policies the government is touting and the evidence we experience,” he noted.
He cited rising utility tariffs and education-related expenses as examples of how reduced inflation figures are not translating into relief for workers.
“If I am a teacher coming from Dodowa and you give me a 9% increase, but today I am spending more on electricity, water, school fees and hostel fees, then it becomes a problem,” he said.
Mr. Aboagye further questioned the relevance of inflation figures in the face of sharp increases in utility costs.
“When electricity tariffs go up by 28%, it makes nonsense of inflation coming down from 23% to 15%,” he stated.
He urged government to listen to feedback from ordinary citizens, particularly market women and commercial drivers, stressing that economic indicators must reflect lived realities.
“The indicators may be true, but they are not reflecting in our lives,” he added.
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