SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 18 April 2024, Thursday |

Ghanaian protesters demand president step down over economic crisis

More than 1,000 protestors marched through Accra, the capital of Ghana, demanding that President Nana Akufo-Addo step down amid an economic crisis that has decimated the cedi and driven up the price of food and petrol to all-time highs.

The red-clad mob moved through riot-clad police while chanting “Akufo-Addo must go” and “IMF no” in reference to the government’s continuing negotiations with the IMF for billions of euros to support the economy.

The president last week sought to reassure Ghanaians that the authorities would get the country’s finances back on track after consumer inflation topped 37% in September, a 21-year peak despite aggressive policy tightening.

“He has failed and we are asking him to resign. High fuel price increments are killing the people of Ghana,” said protester Rafael Williams.

 

The peaceful protest was the latest in a series of demonstrations this year over the soaring cost of living that has made it even harder for people to get by in a country where around a quarter of the population live on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank.

Ghana, which produces gold, cocoa and oil, has also seen the its cedi currency plummet by more than 40% against the dollar this year, making it one of the worst-performing currencies in a region that is suffering from the fallout from a global economic slowdown.

“We are speaking to the IMF. They should not give them loans,” said tailor Francisca Wintima, who was among those protesting in the capital.

“Enough is enough. We have gold, we have oil, we have manganese, we have diamonds. We have everything we need in this country. The only thing that we need is leadership.”

    Source:
  • Reuters