Ghana dropped in five of the thematic categories of the Stanbic Bank Africa Trade Barometer (ATB).

They include Business confidence, Infrastructure Obstacles, Access to Credit, and Ease of Trade.

The nation however moved up in the Government Support and Trade category.

The country’s overall macroeconomic conditions according to the barometer are average relative to the other countries. As such, the country’s macroeconomic conditions have a moderate impact on its overall tradability attractiveness.

On the other hand, relatively high interest rates and inflation, particularly in the last year, have had a negative impact on Ghana’s overall tradability attractiveness.

Regarding business confidence, the barometer said it is low relative to the other nine markets.

Only 25% of surveyed businesses feel optimistic about the Ghanaian economy in the medium term. Similarly, barriers, such as infrastructure challenges, political instability and conflict, high tariffs, and complex customs procedures, have negatively impacted the perception of Ghanaian businesses with regard to the ease of trading with the rest of Africa.

On quality of infrastructure, the survey showed that Ghana improved relative to the other nine markets