Ghana Jollof: The Real Issue Isn't the Rice

Ghana is described as the gateway to Africa and has been tagged “Easy Africa” by many tourists and business corporations. The government has opened the country to every African, with visitors able to stay for 90 days without a visa. This visa-free policy for all African passport holders took effect in early 2025.

Biting inflation, a rebased currency, and loans from the IMF show that the Black Star country is battling many challenges, yet its unyielding spirit remains high. Inflation has fallen sharply, reaching 3.3% in February 2026 (the lowest since the 2021 CPI rebasing and a 14th consecutive monthly decline). The leadership has one key function - to make the country great again.

In the face of adversity, back in the 1990s, when many countries in Africa were experiencing political instability and chaotic governance, Ghana managed to defend its democracy and remain politically stable. The ECOWAS state has since risen to become the backbone of West Africa, launching the Year of Return in 2019 to reinforce this position.

One thing is certain: investor relations with the West have been declining, yet no African nation can survive on investment from Africa alone. The current administration has attempted to improve relations with the AES countries that broke away from ECOWAS, but this effort has not yet yielded significant results.

The Mahama administration has actively urged continued dialogue and bridge-building with the AES (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) rather than isolation, with calls for reconciliation and ongoing engagement.

Its exports - mainly cocoa, gold, and oil - have witnessed a sharp increase in recent years. Exports actually surged to a record ~US$31.1 billion in 2025 (up from US$19.1 billion in 2024), with a trade surplus of US$13.66 billion, driven by gold earnings doubling to ~US$20 billion and cocoa rising to ~US$3.8-3.86 billion (despite oil declining to ~US$2.62 billion).

The reality is that the country imports almost everything: from rubber to steel, vegetables, and even electricity. How does a nation survive under such conditions? By borrowing from across the world. But the problem with borrowing is control. Ghana remains under the IMF Extended Credit Facility (with the fifth review completed in late 2025 and performance deemed satisfactory), though it is on track to exit the program by around April 2026 amid stabilization gains.

At 69, Ghana is still young, but not too young to begin implementing structural changes that will stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities for its young population. One way to achieve this is by building industries that process its raw materials: refining its petroleum, processing cocoa into coffee and chocolate, and encouraging mechanized farming.

Reliance on foreign governments for growth is harming the next generation. Today, many people in Ghana talk about debt relief, while the youth are looking toward Europe, Ethiopia, and America for better opportunities.

Corruption must be nipped in the bud, and the government must encourage accountability among public office holders. The John Mahama administration - holding its celebrations at the Jubilee Center - has discussed cutting costs. This is a good plan and a positive step. Examples include canceling paid TV subscriptions (e.g., DSTV) at Jubilee House, saving significant monthly amounts as part of broader fiscal discipline efforts.

While cutting costs alone is not enough, it sends hope to the people who have, for decades, called for such action. Beyond this, financial leakages must be closed, fraud must be addressed from the lowest to the highest levels, and corporations must begin to pay their fair share of taxes.

The path to the future is clear. It is morning already in Ghana, and waking up is not something to avoid.