Residents shared their views with GhanaWeb’s Thomas Tetteh
Correspondence from Thomas Tetteh, Western Region:
Some residents in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency have expressed mixed reactions to the performance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
With general elections around the corner, opinions on issues such as infrastructure, the economy, and social welfare remain divided.
Supporters of the government point to visible development projects and social programs. One resident highlighted road infrastructure, saying, “We can all agree to the fact that there is road construction going on in Tarkwa,” and praised the government’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, noting that “Everyone is praising him for free SHS; one district, one factory is running.”
Another added, “My child is now at the university because of Free SHS, so far so good,” expressing gratitude for the policy’s impact on access to education.
The government’s impact on local industries, such as the Ekumfi Juice Factory, was also mentioned, along with new health facilities in the constituency. For some, these developments are encouraging signs of progress.
“What will influence my vote is the road. We have lived in dust for a very long time. But now our road is asphalted in Tarkwa,” a resident shared, crediting the government’s efforts to improve the community’s infrastructure.
Others, however, are less optimistic, citing rising costs of living and inflation.
A trader complained, “The garden eggs I sell used to be 400 cedis three years ago, but it increased to 2,000. As I speak, the price has been reduced to 1,000 and 800, but lorry fare alone is now 1,000 cedis.”
She expressed her frustration, saying that after covering her transportation costs, she returns home empty-handed. Overwhelmed by the economic challenges, she concluded, “For me, I have said that I won’t vote again, because any government that would come will do the same.”
Another person argued that the burden of responsibility does not rest solely on the government, pointing to unregulated pricing practices in Ghana.
“In this country, there is no price mechanism, so everyone decides how much to sell an item. We don’t have such things in Ghana, but we blame the government for everything,” he said, urging citizens to take responsibility for the economic situation.
With concerns about the nation’s future amid rising prices and hopes for continued development, some residents urged for calm and peace in the upcoming elections, saying, “Let’s all vote with a good heart in order to get a peaceful nation.”