58% of Ghanaians Happy with Country’s Direction – IEA Survey
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
A majority of Ghanaians believe the country is moving in the right direction, according to the latest nationwide public opinion survey conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), reflecting growing confidence in recent macroeconomic improvements.
The survey found that 58 percent of respondents said they are happy with the direction Ghana is heading, a sentiment the IEA described as consistent with the economic gains recorded in 2025. The think tank noted that improved currency stability, easing inflation, and better debt indicators appear to have positively influenced public perception.
In a statement accompanying the findings, the IEA pointed to the strong performance of the Ghanaian cedi as a major factor shaping optimism. “The cedi appreciated by about 32 percent against the U.S. dollar between 2024 and 2025,” the institute said, adding that the currency’s recovery, together with broader macroeconomic improvements, helped ease inflationary pressures across the economy.
According to the IEA, the strengthening of the cedi contributed to a noticeable decline in fuel prices at the pump and reduced the cost of some imported consumer goods. As a result, inflation fell sharply from 23.8 percent in 2024 to 5.4 percent in 2025, providing relief to households and businesses after a prolonged period of high living costs.
The survey further highlighted other positive developments that may have shaped public sentiment. These include a significant reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio, which declined from 61.8 percent at the end of December 2024 to 45 percent by the end of October 2025, signalling improved fiscal sustainability.
In addition, the average lending rate declined from 30.2 percent to 22.2 percent over the same period, easing borrowing costs for businesses and individuals and supporting economic activity. The IEA also cited the gradual recovery from the effects of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme as another factor restoring confidence among citizens, particularly investors and pension contributors.
Taken together, the institute said these developments suggest that confidence is gradually returning to the economy, with many Ghanaians becoming increasingly hopeful about prospects under the new government.
However, the IEA cautioned that public optimism remains fragile. The survey revealed that 34 percent of respondents said they are not happy with the way things are going in the country, indicating that a sizeable minority of the population remains dissatisfied with national progress.
According to the IEA, this level of discontent underscores the need for government to address issues that directly affect everyday life, including employment opportunities, income levels, and access to essential services, in order to sustain and broaden public confidence.
The nationwide poll was conducted across all 16 regions of Ghana between December 20 and 28, 2025, and was based on responses from 1,022 respondents, providing a snapshot of public sentiment at the close of the year.
