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ACCRA, Nov 5 (Reuters) – More than 1,000 protesters marched in Ghana’s capital Accra on Saturday calling for the resignation of President Nana Akufo-Addo amid an economic crisis that has hit the cedi currency and seen the fuel and food costs have reached record levels. .

The red-clad crowd displayed banners and chanted “Akufo-Addo must go” and “IMF no” in reference to the government’s ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund for billions of dollars to shore up the economy .

Last week, the president sought to reassure Ghanaians that authorities would restore the country’s finances after consumer inflation topped 37% in September, a 21-year high despite aggressive policy tightening.

“He has failed and we are asking him to resign. The high fuel price hikes are killing the people of Ghana,” said protester Rafael Williams.

The peaceful protest was the latest in a series of demonstrations this year over the rising cost of living that has made it even harder for people to survive in a country where around a quarter of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day, he reported. the World Bank.

Ghana, which produces gold, cocoa and oil, has also seen its cedi currency plummet by more than 40% against the dollar this year, making it one of the worst-performing currencies in a region that suffers the consequences of a global economic slowdown.

“We are talking to the IMF. They should not give them loans,” said tailor Francisca Wintima, who was among the protesters in the capital.

“Enough is enough. We have gold, we have oil, we have manganese, we have diamonds. We have everything we need in this country. All we need is leadership.”

Written by Alessandra Prentice; edited by Jason Neely

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