More than 1,000 protesters have called for the resignation of President Nana Akufo-Addo amid an economic crisis that has hammered the cedi currency and seen fuel and food costs spiral to record levels.
The protesters marched through Ghana’s capital Accra on Saturday, waving placards and chanting ‘Akufo-Addo must go’.
They also had placards that read ‘IMF no’ about the government’s ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund for billions of dollars to prop up 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.
A protester named Rafael Williams said, “He has failed and we are asking him to resign. High fuel price increments are killing the people of Ghana.”
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 lives on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank.
“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.”
