Economic Crisis and Protests Undermined My Government’s Popularity – Akufo-Addo

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has acknowledged that economic hardships and widespread public protests during his tenure significantly eroded his government’s popularity.

Speaking at the launch of a book authored by former Nigerian Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, Akufo-Addo reflected on the economic challenges that defined his administration, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He admitted that the downturn, exacerbated by global economic disruptions, led to increased public dissatisfaction and demonstrations across Ghana.

He explained that the crisis severely impacted Ghana’s financial stability, restricting the government’s ability to sustain economic growth and meet citizens’ expectations. The economic strain fueled nationwide protests, as Ghanaians voiced their frustrations over rising living costs and policy decisions.

While he noted that these demonstrations were not as intense as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) riots of the 1980s, he admitted they were substantial enough to weaken public confidence in his leadership.

“We faced a major economic crisis, and with the world’s capital markets closed to us, we had no choice but to turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It was not an easy decision to make, but the economic difficulties led to public unrest,” he stated.

Akufo-Addo further elaborated that his government had limited options to navigate the crisis due to restricted access to international capital markets. As a result, seeking financial support from the IMF became necessary to stabilize the economy.

“Even though these protests did not match the scale of the SAP riots described in the book, they were significant enough to contribute to growing discontent with the government,” he remarked.

Despite these challenges, the former president emphasized that his administration took difficult but essential measures to restore economic stability. He urged future leaders to draw lessons from these experiences and implement policies that ensure economic resilience in times of global uncertainty.