A nationwide survey conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has revealed that a majority of Ghanaians, specifically 58%, are satisfied with the current direction of the country under the new government.
The findings are detailed in an IEA press release dated January 21, following a public opinion poll carried out across all 16 regions of Ghana from December 20 to 28, 2025, involving 1,022 respondents.
According to the release, the poll comes amid significant changes in 2025, including the installation of a new government and notable improvements in the macroeconomic environment, despite ongoing socioeconomic challenges.
“The new government came with new economic and development policies, along with a leadership style which has sparked significant debate about where the country is headed,” the release stated.
“Therefore, we asked citizens whether they were happy with the way things were going in the country. Most respondents (58%) said they were happy. By contrast, 34% indicated that they were not happy with how things were going, while 8% said they were not sure,” it added.
The IEA attributed this positive sentiment to macroeconomic gains recorded in 2025, such as the cedi’s appreciation by about 32% against the U.S. dollar between 2024 and 2025. This strengthening, combined with broader improvements, has eased inflationary pressures, leading to lower fuel prices and costs for some imported consumer goods.
Consequently, inflation dropped sharply from 23.8% in 2024 to 5.4% in 2025.
Other factors influencing public perception include:
– A significant decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio from 61.8% at the end of December 2024 to 45% by the end of October 2025;
– A reduction in the average lending rate from 30.2% to 22.2% over the same period; and
– Gradual recovery from the effects of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on citizens.
“As a result, confidence is gradually returning, and many Ghanaians are increasingly hopeful for a better tomorrow under the new government,” the release noted.
However, the IEA acknowledged that the 34% of respondents who expressed dissatisfaction indicates a sizeable minority remains discontented about national progress, highlighting the fragility of public optimism and the need to address issues affecting everyday life.
“This renewed optimism presents a unique opportunity for the government to pursue bold structural reforms in Ghana to sustain the gains made,” the IEA stated.