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A political forum meant to assess the government’s first year in office has ignited a fiery debate online, centering on a pressing question: why are prices still soaring if the cedi has strengthened against the US dollar?
The controversy was sparked by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign, who delivered a scathing critique at the recent “People’s Forum.” His core argument challenged the government’s narrative, insisting that the lived reality for Ghanaians contradicts official economic messaging.
The Communicator’s Case: A Disconnect Between Forex and the Market
Miracles Aboagye presented a list of stark price comparisons to illustrate his point:
Cement (Ghacem 42.5R): GH¢90 (December 2024) → GH¢110-120 (Now)
Roofing Sheets: GH¢900 (2024) → GH¢2,000 (Now)
A boil of Kenkey: Campaign promise symbol → Now GH¢7, reportedly up to GH¢10 in Koforidua.
Pack of bottled water: GH¢28 → GH¢36
Sachet water: GHS 8 → GHS 10
He mocked the government’s repeated explanation to various groups: “When the trotro drivers and taxi drivers complain… when market women complain… they are told the dollar has come down.”
Abogye argued for more transparency, stating, “The view at the People’s Forum is that the government needs to come clean with us… How is it that the dollar has come down, yet prices of day-to-day items… go up?” He also offered a business perspective, suggesting that high domestic utility costs (like a 28% electricity hike) prevent importers from reducing prices even if their import costs fall.
Netizens Fire Back: Accusations of Deception and Demands for Proof
The reaction on social media was swift and severe, with many users launching a “scathing attack” on Aboagye’s claims.
Dismissing the Narrative: One netizen bluntly dismissed the entire presentation as “bare face lies,” attributing any disagreement to “witches and wizards who don’t appreciate the stability and progress.” They asserted, “Not a single thing said at the forum was true.”
Personal Experience vs. Political Talk: Others highlighted the personal disconnect. “Where at all are people buying these cheaper-priced goods?” one asked, pointing to recent school fee hikes as another example of rising costs. “I keep hearing prices are down, but I still don’t see them discounted.”
A New Generation of Voters: Some framed it as a generational shift, warning politicians that old tactics won’t work. “Chale we grow oo… Our parents’ era has passed… if u say 1.. We will verify before we listen to 2,” wrote an X user, emphasizing increased public skepticism.
Critique of Opposition Strategy: A more strategic critique emerged, suggesting that such arguments could backfire. “The opposition party doesn’t need deception to win power; doing that will even irritate the people. The smartest thing is to develop a good, honest, logical position…”
Challenging for Evidence: The strongest calls were for tangible proof. “Get a camera, follow him and let him show us where kenkey is sold at 10gh,” challenged one Ghanaian, accusing the communicator of believing “Ghanaians are stupid and dumb” and reducing the argument to a mere quest for “a position.”
The Core of the Clash
This debate transcends a simple political squabble. It highlights a critical communication gap and a crisis of trust between official economic indicators (like exchange rates) and the tangible experience of inflation at the market, taxi rank, and school bursar’s office.
While Aboagye frames it as a government failing to “tell the truth,” netizens are turning that same scrutiny on him, demanding evidence and authenticity over what they perceive as political point-scoring. The public sentiment, as echoed online, suggests that economic arguments must move beyond macroeconomic data and directly address the complex, layered realities of local business costs and household survival. The verdict from the digital sphere is clear: Ghanaians are watching, verifying, and demanding answers that align with the receipts in their hands
https://x.com/Artcoin8/status/2010443488257872219?s=20
