In light of the country’s present economic difficulties, several disgruntled traders and members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have expressed displeasure about these concerns, with many noting the crippling exchange rate and increasing import tariffs.
In an interview with Accra-based UTV, one shopkeeper, who identifies as a New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporter, chastised the government for neglecting citizens’ hardship despite the country’s plentiful natural riches.
The trader cited the worrisome exchange rate of 150,300 cedis to 10,000 dollars, which has made importing products more difficult.
“Right now, if you want to convert cedis for dollars, you will need 150,300 to get $10,000.
“Yet those in charge assure us that nothing is wrong and that the country is doing well.
“I support the NPP, but when you try to tell the government the truth, they pretend they’re not listening.
“Why is it that we are suffering in this tiny country like Ghana?” he asked.
The trader recalled the economic stability of former President Agyekum Kufuor’s administration, when the exchange rate was a relatively stable 1 dollar to 4 cedis, and wondered why he [Kufuor] was not consulted on the current economic issues.
“Kufuor did a good job with the economy when the exchange rate was 1 dollar to 4 cedis. He is still alive.
“Why aren’t they [the government] going to consult him? Why are they allowing us to suffer like this,” he quizzed.
In a hilarious moment, the trader’s frustration boiled over as he addressed the journalist, “You’re questioning me, have you eaten this morning? Have you?”
This exchange comes amid calls for action to be taken by the government to control the spiraling depreciation of the cedi and its economic effects.
