A new research presentation by renowned Ghanaian researcher , doubling as the Founder and Leader of Feedback Africa Limited, Prof. Smart Sarpong, has revealed growing concerns among citizens over the rising cost of living in Ghana, with electricity tariffs, transportation costs, and communication expenses emerging as the major factors driving economic hardship.
The findings, presented in a summary report yesterday at KsTU , indicate a significant shift in public perception between 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, highlighting worsening economic pressures on households and workers, particularly those in the private sector.
According to the research, 68.8% of citizens in 2025 perceived the cost of living to be lower compared to 2024. However, by the first quarter of 2026, only 17.4 percent of respondents still considered the cost of living to be low, suggesting a sharp decline in public confidence in economic conditions.
The study further disclosed that there is only a narrow three percent gap between citizens who currently view the cost of living as high and those who believe it remains the same as in 2025, an indication that a majority of Ghanaians continue to feel the strain of rising expenses.
Prof. Smart Sarpong identified three major factors contributing to the worsening living conditions: increasing electricity costs, rising public transport fares, and the growing expense of call credit and internet services.
The report stressed that these everyday essentials have become increasingly burdensome for ordinary citizens and are affecting household spending patterns across the country.
The research also shed light on disparities in income levels between workers in the private and public sectors.
According to the findings, 58 percent of private sector workers earn salaries of GH¢2,000 or less, compared to only 19.7 percent of workers in the public sector earning within the same range.
In a further comparison, the study revealed that for similar middle to lower-level professional roles such as teaching and nursing, workers in the private sector earn two to three times less than their counterparts in the public sector.
Prof. Sarpong noted that the widening salary gap and the increasing cost of essential services continue to place enormous pressure on workers and families, raising concerns about economic inequality and living standards.
The findings are expected to reignite national conversations on wage structures, utility pricing, transportation costs, and broader economic reforms aimed at easing the burden on citizens.
Economic analysts say the report underscores the need for targeted interventions and social protection measures to cushion vulnerable households and improve income levels, especially within the private sector.
The research presentation has since attracted attention from policy analysts, labour groups, and members of the public, many of whom are calling for urgent measures to address the growing economic challenges facing Ghanaians.
