In a scathing critique of the struggles faced by Ghanaian families amid the country’s economic challenges, Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, has expressed grave concerns about the harsh realities of youth unemployment, the depreciating local currency, and rising inequality.
In his critique, Mr Asare raised particular concerns over the current government’s inability to address the depreciating Ghanaian cedi.
“My sis completed BSC Nursing at UCC three years ago and got licensed. She is still home. I am doing my best to move her out of this hopeless situation abroad, but the dollar too is making life very difficult.
“Last February, I needed about GHC 160k to get just $15k to pay for travel, fees, living expenses etc. I couldn’t raise the amount. Had to continue saving”.
Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch
Highlighting the hopelessness gripping many young graduates, Mr Asare indicated that all attempts to help the little sister have proven fruitless, underscoring the devastating impact of Ghana’s depreciating currency on savings and financial planning.
“The dollar made my savings useless,” he lamented, painting a grim picture of how the cedi’s instability has not only eroded household incomes but also stifled opportunities for upward mobility.
Inequality and Privilege in Ghana’s Education System
Adding to his frustrations, Mr Asare drew a sharp contrast between the struggles of ordinary Ghanaians and the privileges enjoyed by the children of the country’s political elite.
He pointed out that many of these children benefit from taxpayer-funded scholarships to attend prestigious institutions abroad, while ordinary families face insurmountable financial barriers to achieving similar dreams.
“Even more annoying is the realisation that children of people responsible for this terrible economy are those who enjoy free tax-payer scholarships in these same American schools I am struggling to raise $15k to pay fees for,” he said, directing a stinging critique at the government’s handling of the economy and scholarship policies.
A System That Silences Dissent
Kofi Asare, the Africa Education Watch’s Executive Director’s critique also extended to the culture of intolerance that pervades Ghana’s political discourse.
He criticized the deployment of partisan loyalists — whom he referred to as “party robots” — to suppress dissent and discredit voices calling for accountability.
“When we complain, party robots will be deployed from outer space to breathe fire and brimstone on us,” he remarked, expressing his exasperation with the aggressive online responses he and others face when highlighting the system’s inequities.
The Africa Education Executive Director’s remarks lay bare the need for the government to take urgent interventions to stabilize the economy, create jobs, and ensure equitable access to education and opportunities.
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