A senior lecturer at Kumasi Technical University, Dr Solomon Fokuo Kwarteng, has said the idea of price reduction is just a prank played on Ghanaians.
The senior lecturer boldly claimed, the 5kg bags of rice have been reduced to 4kg instead, but are being sold at the same price.
According to the senior lecturer, the John Mahama-led government came into power through deception.
Speaking on Wontumi TV with Oheneba Nana Asiedu, Dr Solomon Fokuo Kwarteng stated, “What has been reduced is not the price but the quantity of rice in the bag”.
“For instance, a 5kg bag of rice has now been reduced to 4kg, yet it is being sold at the same price. So, the idea of price reduction is just a prank played on Ghanaians”, he shockingly detailed.
He added, “The governments that secure power through deception lack legitimacy and subsequently govern poorly due to their questionable mandate”.
The lecturer further claimed the NDC government’s cedi appreciation was artificial and misleading.
In addition, Abena Osei Asare, the former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, has said that ordinary Ghanaians are still struggling under rising costs of living.
According to Abena Osei Asare, despite claims by the government, the economy is on a recovery path Ghanaians are still struggling.
She asserted that Finance Minister Ato Forson’s confidence does not reflect the economic reality faced by citizens.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Monday, July 28, 2025, during the debate on the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, Osei Asare stated, “Mr. Speaker, ask for the prices of plain and not aromatic rice. Ask about the prices of cassava and not all the sophisticated things the Minister came here to announce”.
“You ask for the prices in the market, and it tells you that, clearly, they are not feeling it on the ground”, she added.
Abena Osei Asare further fired shots at Ato Forson for saying he is trying very hard to see how he can reduce the items in the inflation basket.
She emphasised that the finance minister, on one hand, is trying to reduce food prices, but on the other hand introducing new measures to increase transport fares.
“The Minister also mentioned that he is trying very hard to see how he can reduce the items in the inflation basket, so they are going to work on food prices. On one hand, he said, ‘I am trying very hard, I am going to introduce policies that will increase food production’. In another hand, he is bringing a measure that will increase transport fares by more than 30 to 40 per cent,” Abena Osei Asare added.
