As Ghanaians anticipate the 2025 budget presentation by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson tomorrow, the Afrobarometer has revisited its 2024 survey findings, emphasizing the urgent concerns of citizens.
The Afrobarometer survey, originally conducted in August 2024, highlights unemployment, poor infrastructure, and healthcare as the top three issues the public wants the government to address.
With 41% of respondents identifying unemployment as their biggest concern, the survey highlighted the struggles many Ghanaians face in securing jobs despite their qualifications.
The lack of employment opportunities, especially for the youth, remains a source of frustration, fueling economic uncertainty and social unrest.
Infrastructure and roads followed closely at 38%, reflecting the daily challenges citizens endure due to poor road networks, inadequate transport systems, and underdeveloped public amenities. Many communities continue to suffer from bad roads, making transportation difficult, affecting businesses, and slowing economic growth.
Healthcare ranked third, with 33% of Ghanaians worried about the state of medical services in the country. Long queues at hospitals, expensive medical care, and inadequate health facilities remain major hurdles, particularly for low-income families who struggle to afford quality healthcare.
Other key concerns included education (28%), economic management (25%), and the rising cost of living (21%), all of which point to the financial pressures weighing on households. Inflation, high food prices, and declining purchasing power have made life more difficult for the average Ghanaian, raising expectations for tomorrow’s budget.
Afrobarometer’s decision to re-emphasize these concerns at this critical moment appears to be a reminder to policymakers about the real challenges facing Ghanaians. As Dr. Forson prepares to deliver the budget, many citizens will be watching closely, hoping for policies that offer relief and practical solutions to these persistent issues.
