Amidst the ongoing economic challenges in the country, certain disgruntled traders and members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have voiced their frustration, particularly highlighting the crippling exchange rate and soaring import duties as major concerns.
During an interview with Accra-based UTV, one trader, who identifies as a supporter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), criticized the government for neglecting the plight of citizens despite the nation’s wealth of natural resources.
The trader specifically highlighted the alarming exchange rate of 150,300 cedis to 10,000 dollars, which has significantly complicated the process of importing goods.
“Right now, if you want to exchange cedis for dollars, you need 150,300 to get 10,000 dollars.
“Yet those in power tell us that nothing is going on, the country is doing great.
“I’m an NPP supporter, yet when you’re trying to tell the government the truth, they pretend they aren’t hearing anything.
“Why is it that we are suffering in this tiny country like Ghana?” he lamented.
The trader reminisced about the economic stability experienced during former President Agyekum Kufuor’s tenure, noting that the exchange rate remained relatively stable at 1 dollar to 4 cedis.
They questioned why Kufuor wasn’t being consulted regarding the current economic challenges.
“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 conversation arises amidst demands for the government to intervene and mitigate the escalating depreciation of the cedi, along with its economic repercussions.