The most recent Afrobarometer survey paints a vivid picture of Ghanaians’ priorities and perceptions regarding their government’s performance. Overwhelmingly, citizens identified unemployment as the single most pressing issue requiring government attention, with 41% of respondents citing it as their top concern. Trailing closely behind were infrastructure/roads, garnering 38% of responses, and health, a concern for 33% of participants. This underscores the immediate needs of the populace, highlighting the desire for economic opportunities, improved transportation networks, and enhanced access to healthcare services.
Beyond immediate concerns, the survey also explored public opinion on existing government initiatives. The results revealed widespread support for the continuation of various social and economic programs. The free senior high school program enjoyed overwhelming approval, with 85% of respondents advocating for its continuation. Similarly, initiatives like “planting/rearing for food and jobs” (81%), “one district, one factory” (71%), and “one village, one dam” (60%) also received substantial backing, indicating public belief in their potential for positive impact. This broad support suggests a public desire for sustained investment in education, agriculture, industrial development, and water resource management.
However, not all government policies enjoyed such positive reception. The electronic transactions levy (e-levy) faced significant opposition, with 79% of respondents favoring its discontinuation. This strong disapproval suggests public discontent with the levy, possibly due to perceived economic burdens or concerns about its implementation. The stark contrast between the support for other initiatives and the rejection of the e-levy highlights the importance of public perception and the need for government responsiveness to citizen concerns when formulating economic policies.
The survey delved into the lived realities of Ghanaians, revealing a concerning level of hardship. A significant 70% of respondents reported experiencing periods without a cash income in the past year, a stark indicator of economic precarity. Furthermore, access to essential services and resources proved challenging for many, with 54% reporting shortages of medical care, and 44% each experiencing shortages of water and food. An additional 42% faced difficulties accessing cooking fuel. These figures paint a troubling picture of widespread deprivation and underscore the urgency of addressing economic challenges and improving access to basic necessities.
Public assessment of the government’s economic performance was overwhelmingly negative. Less than 20% of respondents gave the government positive ratings on key economic indicators. Only 19% approved of the government’s handling of the economy, while an even lower 18% felt the government was effectively creating jobs. Similarly, a mere 17% believed the government was improving the living standards of the poor, and only 11% felt it was narrowing the gap between the rich and poor. The lowest approval rating, a mere 8%, was recorded for the government’s efforts to keep prices stable. This widespread dissatisfaction reflects public perception of a struggling economy and a government perceived as ineffective in addressing critical economic challenges.
The Afrobarometer survey provides valuable insights into the Ghanaian public’s priorities, perceptions, and lived realities. The data clearly highlights the urgency of addressing unemployment, improving infrastructure, and enhancing access to healthcare. While there is public support for various government initiatives aimed at social and economic development, the strong opposition to the e-levy underscores the need for government sensitivity to public opinion on economic policies. The high prevalence of reported shortages in basic necessities and the overwhelmingly negative assessment of the government’s economic performance further emphasize the need for effective policies and actions to improve the economic well-being of Ghanaians. This survey serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, providing evidence-based insights to inform policy decisions and address the critical needs of the Ghanaian population. The rigorous methodology employed by Afrobarometer, including a nationally representative sample and face-to-face interviews in the respondent’s language of choice, ensures the reliability and validity of the data, making it a robust tool for understanding the Ghanaian context.
