A recent Afrobarometer survey has revealed that unemployment, infrastructure, and healthcare are the top concerns for Ghanaians, with 41% citing unemployment as the most pressing issue, followed closely by infrastructure/roads (38%) and health (33%).
Key Findings
Unemployment: 41% of respondents identified it as the most important issue for the government to address. Infrastructure/Roads: 38% of respondents ranked it as the second-most pressing concern.
Healthcare: 33% of respondents cited healthcare as a major concern.
Despite these concerns, Ghanaians expressed strong support for government initiatives aimed at social and economic improvement, including:
Free Senior High School Program: 85% of respondents backed the program. Planting/Rearing for Food and Jobs, 81% supported the initiative.
In one District, One Factory, 71% favoured the program while in One Village, One Dam, 60% supported the initiative.
However, the electronic transactions levy (e-levy) received significant opposition, with 79% of respondents favouring its discontinuation.
The survey also highlighted the prevalence of poverty in Ghana, with 70% of respondents reporting shortages of necessities like food and clean water. 54% experiencing shortages of medical care.
44% facing food shortages. 42% struggling with cooking fuel shortages.
Ghanaians rated the government’s economic performance poorly, with fewer than two in 10 respondents expressing satisfaction with managing the economy (19%). Creating jobs (18%). Improving living standards of the poor (17%). Narrowing gaps between rich and poor (11%) and Keeping prices stable (8%)
These findings are based on face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 2,400 adult Ghanaians conducted by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development in August 2024.
According to Dr Edem Selormey, Director of Research at the Center for Democratic Development CDD-GHANA, as Ghana heads into election season, citizens are seeking both continuity in popular social programs and a shift in economic policies to tackle pressing issues.
Unemployment, infrastructure gaps, and access to quality healthcare are top concerns. Overall, Ghanaians seek a balance between continuity in social programs and policy shifts to address pressing economic and development challenges.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/ Bernard K Dadzie
