A Nigerian national residing in Ghana has ignited a heated online discussion after publicly commending President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership and economic policies, while simultaneously criticizing Ghanaian traders for failing to reduce prices despite improvements in the Ghanaian cedi’s exchange rate.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the man expressed his admiration for Mahama’s efforts to stabilize the economy, stating, “If I had this kind of President like Mahama in Nigeria, I wouldn’t be here.” He lamented the reluctance of some Ghanaians to appreciate the progress made, especially given the recent decline in the US dollar’s value against the cedi.
“But Ghanaians don’t know what God has given to them. The dollar has reduced, but prices are still high. Why? Because some of you don’t want the country to grow,” he stated passionately.
The remarks come amid reports of the Ghanaian cedi strengthening against the US dollar following measures taken by the Mahama administration, including fiscal discipline and economic reforms aimed at reviving the country’s financial health.
Despite this positive trajectory, many consumers in Ghana have noted that prices for staple goods and services—such as tomatoes, gari, cooking oil, and transportation—have remained stubbornly high or even increased. This disconnect between currency value and market prices has sparked concern over potential profiteering and a lack of accountability among traders.
“How can the dollar come down, but tomatoes, gari, oil, transport—everything is still going up? Are you people serious?” the Nigerian questioned in his video. “You’re lucky to have a leader who is doing the work. But instead of supporting him, you’re frustrating the system.”
The comments have divided social media users, with some agreeing that traders should reflect improvements in the currency by adjusting prices accordingly, while others argue that persistent high costs are due to factors such as rising production expenses and transport fees.
Meanwhile, the Mahama government continues to implement policies focused on economic recovery, with international analysts acknowledging some progress. The success of these efforts, however, is contingent on cooperation from market participants to translate macroeconomic gains into tangible relief for everyday Ghanaians.
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