Why are real estate agents, landlords charging in US dollars? – Woman laments

In a video shared by blogger Sika Official on Twitter, a woman has expressed her frustration over the growing trend of charging in U.S. dollars for goods and services in Ghana, particularly in the housing sector.

The video has sparked an ongoing debate, as the woman questioned why local transactions are increasingly being priced in foreign currency, making it difficult for the average Ghanaian to afford necessities.

“You’re charging U.S. dollars in Ghana. Why? It just doesn’t make any sense to me,” the woman said, clearly frustrated by the practice, which she believes has left many Ghanaians struggling to meet basic living costs.

Property rentals and sales, in particular, have become an area where the use of U.S. dollars has become widespread, even though most Ghanaians earn in the local currency, the cedi.

The woman’s concerns reflect the growing sense of inequality in Ghana’s economic landscape, where the depreciation of the cedi has led many businesses, including landlords and developers, to adopt U.S. dollars as a way to protect themselves from currency fluctuations.

However, this has created a divide, as those who earn in cedis are now faced with the challenge of paying much higher prices, particularly in the real estate sector.

“What average Ghanaian can afford to live on a U.S. economy in Ghana?” the woman asked, calling attention to the fact that most Ghanaians are not earning in dollars, making it nearly impossible for them to keep up with the rising cost of living.

She further questioned the fairness of the situation, highlighting how foreigners visiting Ghana can afford to pay in dollars, while locals are left struggling.

“You’re charging U .S. dollars in Ghana. Why? Like this is not making any sense to me and I’m just here trying to make it make sense. There are landlords and builders that are here trying to rent property and sell property using U .S. dollars. Please explain to me. What average Ghanaian can afford to live on a U.S. economy in Ghana? I’ll wait. It’s just straight stupidness. And for all the foreigners that’s traveling into Ghana Yanni Jax whooped, cuz it just don’t make no sense. Can we go to the U.S. and charge in Cedis? I’ll wait. There is no way I am ever about to pay U .S. dollars for nothing in Ghana,” she blurted out.

Watch the video below:

“You are charging US dollars in Ghana, why?” – A new resident has criticized the practice of quoting real estate and rental property prices in dollars instead of cedis on the Ghanaian market.

She described this as outright exploitation of citizens and urged other members of the… pic.twitter.com/jXGaUT5hVx

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) January 14, 2025