Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has sharply criticized economist Dr. George Domfeh for what he calls a “detached” analysis of Ghana’s economic challenges, accusing him of sidelining citizen welfare in favor of macroeconomic metrics.
During a heated exchange on TV3’s KeyPoints, Kpebu invoked Ghana’s Constitution to argue that economic policies must be judged by their tangible impact on ordinary lives, not just growth figures.
“Article 36 isn’t a suggestion—it’s a mandate. Economic strategies must secure the maximum welfare, freedom, and happiness of every Ghanaian. Yet your analysis glosses over this,” Kpebu charged, addressing Domfeh. He lambasted the economist for acknowledging widespread suffering but pivoting to abstract growth statistics, asking, “What good is a 6% GDP rise if families can’t afford kenkey or koko?”
Kpebu’s critique centered on the disconnect between policy rhetoric and lived realities. He highlighted how staple foods like kenkey now cost between 5 and 7 cedis, while koko (porridge) prices have surged to at least 3 cedis—a steep climb for low-income households. “You analyze growth while ignoring the pot boiling empty in homes. That’s not economics; it’s evasion,” he asserted.
The lawyer also challenged Domfeh’s omission of Ghana’s prolonged engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), spanning both the Mahama and Akufo-Addo administrations. “We’ve been under IMF programs for years. Did we receive funds? Did we extend the program? These facts shape our reality but vanish from your analysis,” Kpebu argued, suggesting such oversight undermines accountability for austerity measures that have deepened inequality.
The clash underscores a broader debate in Ghana: Should economic success be measured by fiscal spreadsheets or the welfare of market traders, farmers, and families? For Kpebu, the answer is non-negotiable. “Growth without jobs, stability without affordable food—it’s a betrayal of the Constitution’s promise,” he said, urging analysts to anchor their work in grassroots realities.
Domfeh, who earlier called for a manufacturing-led economic pivot, has yet to respond. However, Kpebu’s remarks resonate amid rising discontent over inflation, which, despite easing to 23% in April, continues to erode purchasing power. Critics argue the government’s focus on debt restructuring and IMF compliance has come at the expense of social protection programs.
As Ghana navigates its post-bailout recovery, Kpebu’s challenge reframes a pressing question: Can economic policies reconcile macroeconomic stability with the dignity of daily survival? For millions, the cost of living—not growth rates—remains the ultimate indicator of progress.
