Akufo-Addo blames economic crisis and protests for his government’s unpopularity

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has admitted that economic challenges and frequent public protests played a significant role in his government’s declining popularity.

Speaking at the launch of a book authored by former Nigerian Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, Akufo-Addo reflected on the economic turbulence that defined his tenure.

He specifically pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftershocks, which severely impacted Ghana’s financial stability and forced his administration to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

While acknowledging that the protests against his government were not as severe as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) riots of the 1980s, he conceded that they were serious enough to weaken public confidence in his leadership.

During his tenure, President Akufo-Addo’s government faced one of Ghana’s most challenging economic periods. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, led to a decline in international trade, and forced many businesses into financial distress. Ghana was not immune to these challenges, and the economy suffered as a result.

With international capital markets largely inaccessible, the government struggled to raise funds to sustain economic activities. As a result, the Akufo-Addo administration turned to the IMF for financial support—a decision that he described as difficult but necessary.

The IMF bailout came with conditions that required fiscal tightening, which meant reducing government spending, increasing taxes, and implementing austerity measures. These policies had far-reaching consequences, including job losses, increased cost of living, and growing frustration among the Ghanaian people.

The economic crisis fueled widespread public dissatisfaction, which manifested in a series of protests. Many Ghanaians took to the streets to express their frustration over rising inflation, unemployment, and the perceived mismanagement of the economy.

The protests, while not as intense as the SAP riots that shook Ghana and other African countries in the 1980s, were significant enough to put pressure on the government. Social movements such as #FixTheCountry gained traction, with citizens demanding better governance, accountability, and economic reforms.

The demonstrations were led by youth groups, civil society organizations, and opposition parties who criticized the government for failing to protect the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. The growing discontent ultimately impacted Akufo-Addo’s popularity, making his administration one of the most criticized in recent history.