Living in Accra is becoming increasingly expensive, with rising costs of food, accommodation, housing, transportation and leisure putting growing pressure on residents.
That is the concern raised by Ray Michael in an opinion shared on his Facebook page, where he described the capital’s high cost of living as a serious challenge, particularly for young Ghanaians.
Michael argued that Accra has become so expensive that surviving comfortably can be difficult without multiple sources of income.
While his comparisons with other African cities are based on his personal experiences and observations, his broader argument raises questions about affordability and the quality of life in Ghana’s capital.
Food prices putting pressure on households
According to Michael, food has become one of the most expensive aspects of living in Accra.
He compared the cost of eating out in Accra with his experience in Nairobi, Kenya, claiming that a meal for himself, his sister and several other people at a reputable restaurant in Nairobi cost less than GH¢300, while he believed a comparable order in Accra could exceed GH¢3,000.
He also cited the price of traditional Ghanaian food at a restaurant in East Legon.
Michael said a single serving of fufu and soup had cost him at least GH¢300, while a meal for himself and his wife, including drinks, had exceeded GH¢1,000.
Such experiences, he argued, demonstrate how expensive eating out has become for residents of Accra.
Rent remains one of the biggest challenges
For Michael, accommodation represents an even bigger problem.
He claimed that an unfinished, self-contained chamber-and-hall apartment in his neighbourhood could cost GH¢2,000 or more per month.
He contrasted this with his experience in Nairobi, where he said a similar amount could secure a modern two-bedroom apartment with additional facilities.
Another major concern he raised was the advance-rent system.
According to Michael, landlords in Ghana commonly demand substantial advance payments before tenants can move into a property, sometimes requiring up to two years’ rent.
He contrasted this with his claimed experience in Kenya, where he said tenants may pay one month’s rent together with a security deposit.
The difference, he argued, creates a significant financial barrier for young people and low- to middle-income earners trying to secure accommodation.
Buying a house in Accra is increasingly difficult
Michael also questioned the affordability of home ownership in Accra.
He claimed that a three-bedroom house in the capital could cost around GH¢1.5 million, while a larger property with a more spacious compound could cost approximately GH¢2.5 million or more.
He argued that the problem becomes even more pronounced when land prices are considered.
Citing a personal inquiry, Michael said he was quoted about US$70,000 for a half-plot of land around Botwe.
He compared this with property prices he encountered in Kenya and suggested that home ownership appears more accessible to some young people there than in Accra.
Why are cars so expensive?
The cost of vehicles was another issue raised in the Facebook post.
Michael described cars in Accra as unusually expensive compared with what he had seen elsewhere in Africa.
He cited a quote of about GH¢270,000 for a foreign-used Toyota Camry when he was looking for a smaller vehicle for daily errands.
Although he acknowledged that the arrival of newer Chinese vehicle brands has introduced additional options into Ghana’s automobile market, he maintained that vehicle prices remain a significant burden.
For many households, buying a car is already a major financial decision. High vehicle prices can make private transportation increasingly inaccessible, particularly when combined with fuel, insurance, maintenance and other running costs.
Holidays can also be expensive
Michael argued that the high cost of accommodation is not limited to people’s homes.
He said the cost of local holidays can discourage Ghanaians from exploring destinations within their own country.
According to him, some standard hotel rooms can cost more than GH¢4,000 per night.
He compared this with his experience in Zanzibar, where he claimed to have rented an entire four-bedroom house with a swimming pool near the sea for approximately GH¢1,000 per night.
He also cited Nairobi, where he said larger apartments could be rented for less than US$70 per night, compared with what he described as substantially higher prices for comparable accommodation in Accra.
If local tourism is to grow, Michael’s argument suggests that affordability may need to become part of the conversation.
Domestic flights remain a concern
Air travel within Ghana was another area Michael questioned.
He expressed surprise at the cost of domestic flights, particularly between Accra and Kumasi.
According to him, a return flight between the two cities can cost more than US$400, which he compared with cheaper domestic flights in Kenya and Nigeria.
He questioned why travelling between major Ghanaian cities by air can sometimes be so expensive despite the relatively short distances involved.
The cost of domestic aviation matters not only to tourists but also to businesses, professionals, students and families who need to travel between regions.
The bigger concern: the future of young Ghanaians
Beyond individual prices, Michael’s argument is ultimately about the broader economic pressure facing young people.
When food, rent, land, housing, transportation, leisure and utilities all consume a significant portion of household income, saving becomes difficult.
Home ownership becomes a distant goal.
Starting a family can become more financially demanding.
And young people may increasingly feel compelled to take multiple jobs or pursue alternative sources of income simply to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
Michael warned that making life increasingly difficult for the younger generation could create serious consequences for Ghana’s future.
Is Accra becoming unaffordable?
Accra remains Ghana’s economic and commercial centre, attracting businesses, professionals, students and people from across the country.
But economic opportunity also comes with significant costs.
The question raised by Michael is therefore not simply whether Accra is expensive.
It is whether incomes are increasing fast enough to keep pace with the cost of living.
For many residents, the challenge is not one expensive meal, one high rent bill or one costly car.
It is the cumulative effect of several expenses hitting the same household every month.
And as Michael’s commentary suggests, when the cost of basic necessities rises faster than people’s incomes, the consequences can extend beyond individual financial struggles to issues of inequality, migration, unemployment and the future prospects of young people.
His conclusion is blunt: Ghana risks making life extraordinarily difficult for its younger generation.
Whether every price comparison in his post reflects the wider market is a matter that would require independent verification. But the questions surrounding the cost of living in Accra remain worth discussing.
How affordable is life in Accra today, and what can be done to make housing, food, transportation and other essential services more accessible to ordinary Ghanaians?
This article is based on an opinion shared by Ray Michael on his Facebook page. The views and personal price comparisons expressed in the original post are those of the author and have not been independently verified by HeraldGH.
