‘Ghana Is Hell’ — Pastor Ray Michael Decries Rising Cost of Living in Accra
The soaring cost of living in Accra, especially food, rent, land, cars, holidays and airfares are making life increasingly difficult for Ghanaians.
Emmanuel Frimpong
View author profile 2d ago·412views·4 min read
Pastor Ray Michael has raised concerns about the rising cost of living in Accra, describing the Ghanaian capital as increasingly unaffordable and warning that the situation is putting enormous pressure on the younger generation.
In a lengthy social media post titled “GHANA IS HELL… and Ghanaians Are Burning,” the pastor said the cost of living in Accra had reached a point where surviving in the city was becoming extremely difficult without multiple sources of income.
He argued that Accra's high cost of living is evident across almost every aspect of daily life, including food, accommodation, housing, vehicles, holidays, air travel and utilities.
Food becoming increasingly expensive
Pastor Ray Michael said food has become one of the most expensive aspects of living in Accra.
He recounted a recent visit to Nairobi with his sister and several others, where they ordered different meals and drinks and also purchased takeaway food.
According to him, the entire order cost less than the equivalent of GH¢300, while he estimated that the same order in Accra could easily cost more than GH¢3,000.
He also cited his experience at a local restaurant in East Legon, where he said a single serving of fufu and soup had cost him more than GH¢300.
On another occasion, he said he and his wife spent more than GH¢1,000 on food and juice.
Accommodation remains a major concern
According to the pastor, housing represents an even bigger challenge.
He said an unfinished, empty chamber-and-hall self-contained apartment in his neighbourhood could cost GH¢2,000 or more per month.
He compared this with what he described as significantly better accommodation available in Nairobi for similar amounts.
Pastor Ray Michael also criticised the practice of demanding large rent advances in Ghana.
He said tenants in Accra can be required to pay up to two years' rent in advance, in addition to a security deposit, before they can move into a property.
High property and land prices
The pastor also expressed concern about the cost of buying homes and land in Accra.
He claimed that a three-bedroom house in the capital could cost about GH¢1.5 million, with a larger, standard-sized property with a spacious compound potentially costing around GH¢2.5 million.
He further recounted an inquiry about a half-plot of land around Botwe, where he said he was quoted $70,000.
He contrasted these prices with property prices he encountered in Kenya, arguing that young adults appeared to have greater access to home ownership there.
Cars and holidays
Vehicle prices also came under criticism.
Pastor Ray Michael said he once needed a small car for everyday activities and was quoted GH¢270,000 for a foreign-used Toyota Camry.
He described vehicle prices in Accra as “ridiculously expensive,” although he acknowledged that the growing presence of Chinese vehicle brands was providing consumers with additional options.
He also questioned the cost of domestic tourism in Ghana.
According to him, hotel accommodation in Ghana can cost more than GH¢4,000 per night, while he had previously stayed in a four-bedroom seaside house with a swimming pool in Zanzibar for approximately GH¢1,000 per night.
He similarly compared accommodation costs in Nairobi and Accra, saying that a three-bedroom apartment in Nairobi could be obtained for less than $70 per night, while a comparable property in Accra could cost more than $300.
‘Why is domestic air travel so expensive?’
Air travel was another area highlighted by the pastor.
He questioned why a return flight between Accra and Kumasi could cost more than $400 despite the relatively short distance.
He compared this with flights between Nairobi and Kisumu and between Lagos and Abuja, which he said were considerably cheaper.
“I won't even get started on utility bills,” he added.
Pastor Ray Michael warned that the combined effect of these rising costs was making life increasingly difficult for young Ghanaians.
“We are making life extraordinarily difficult for the younger generation—and that poses a massive risk for the nation,” he wrote.
Reactions to the post
The post has generated reactions from Ghanaians, including Stella Agyemang, who argued that the focus on Accra may itself be part of the problem.
“Unfortunately, most Ghanaians believe Accra is the only liveable city in Ghana,” she wrote, adding that she returned to Ghana in 2012 and believes “Koforidua is Heaven.”
Another commenter, Nicholas Asiwu, agreed with the broader concern but cautioned against making sweeping comparisons between Ghana and Kenya based on individual experiences.
He argued that factors such as location, lifestyle and personal circumstances can significantly affect the cost of living.
While sharing his own experiences during a visit to Kenya, Mr Asiwu said some aspects of Kenya, particularly food, could be relatively affordable, but maintained that other expenses could also be high.
He ultimately said that, having experienced both countries, he would still choose Ghana as a place to live.
The reactions have added another dimension to the debate over Accra's cost of living, with some Ghanaians questioning whether the capital's rising prices are making the city increasingly inaccessible, while others argue that the situation should also prompt people to look beyond Accra to other Ghanaian cities.
Pastor Ray Michael's post has nevertheless reignited a broader conversation about the affordability of life in Ghana's capital and the economic pressures facing ordinary Ghanaians.