Recent developments including hikes in fuel prices and high cost of living have sparked conversations about how the ordinary Ghanaian is surviving.

On Friday, February 18, 2022, edition of the Super Morning Show, ardent listeners of Joy FM phoned in to share their views on the matter.

One of the callers who identified himself as Emmanuel, lamented over the high cost of living. He was particularly concerned because, despite the hikes in prices of goods, salaries remain the same.

"Everything keeps on increasing but our salary is still the same," he said.

His comment comes days after the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) announced an increment in the prices of fuel.

It also comes days after the Ghana cedi crossed the GH¢7 to one dollar mark on the retail market, with less than two months into 2022. Joy Business checks at some forex bureaus and commercial banks indicate that a dollar is being sold at a little above GH¢7 cedis.

Though analysts have attributed the cedi’s problem to upside risks to the economy including high debt and interest payments, inadequate revenue, and rising expenditure, currency traders are dreading tough times.

Other callers on the show also stated that "times are tough."

Rukaya from Haatso, lamented over the increase in prices of goods and said this has largely affected her. According to her, she has resorted to cutting down on some expenses to help her survive.

Apparently, another caller, Yaa, has been experiencing tough times as well. 

According to her, she can no longer enjoy a Kenkey meal at an affordable cost. “If I want to eat Kenkey now, it will cost me GH₵15. The kids haven’t been factored in yet,” she said.

Despite these claims, one of the callers, John from Lawra, entreated the general public to be patient with the government. According to him, the Covid-19 pandemic has played a role in these hardships.

“If not because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ghana wouldn’t be like this,” he said.

William, who called from Buduburam, however, propounded solutions to the situation.

“I’m not a professor but to manage this, I think we should manufacture, reduce import, increase export and reduce debt,” he said.