The cost of living for Ghanaians is at its highest in almost six years.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, food, transport and fuel account for the year-on-year inflation of 29.8 per cent in June.
Beach News Room sought out from the residents in Sekondi-Takoradi how they fend for themselves as the economy is experiencing a downturn.
Residents mentioned that they feel a pinch in the economy when they go shopping for foodstuffs, pay house rent and amongst others.
Enock, a nurse, reveals that his rent has increased from GH¢150.00 to GH¢ 200 in the past month.
” My landlady has increased her rent prices, and now I pay GH¢200 as house rent. There’s also a high rates of water and light charges. For food, I spend GH¢200 monthly but that also is not enough.”
Mr Razak, mechanic at the Kokompe also shared his sentiment on the economy claiming that people no longer bring their vehicles to him for repairs, and had to survive on his little earnings.
He complained on high tariffs as a result of the economic mishap.
“Water and light charges are high. The worst part of the issue is that I don’t get water frequently but still I pay for it. I am able to afford one meal a day, sometimes. At other times, if I am lucky, I get to eat twice.”
Kobina, a student at the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) explained the toll the economy has on him.
” I spend beyond my estimated budget and even with that, I have to ask my parents for top up because the money is insufficient. Life on campus is difficult for me.”
Touching on transportation, they said, high transport fares, rise in fuel prices have forced some of them to park their vehicles and find alternative means to go to work.
“I can’t use my car again, because of how high fuel cost is.”
” Now the transport charge from Effia to Takoradi is GH¢2.80ps and its very expensive looking at how meagre my salaries.”
