APL Launches Trackers for Governance Trust and Economic Wellbeing

Africa Policy Lens (APL) has launched two new national tracking tools. These tools aim to measure citizen trust in governance and assess the economic wellbeing of households. The tools are called the Ghana Wellbeing Tracker and the Governance Trust Barometer.

The Governance Trust Barometer, or GTB, captures how citizens feel about governance in their daily lives. It looks at eight important areas. These include trust in institutions, how people see corruption, and if the government communicates well. It also examines citizen voice, confidence in elections, and participation in civic life. The GTB combines these into a score from 0 to 100. Dr. Hayford Ayerakwa, Director of Research at APL, stated that the barometer is grounded in citizens' lived experiences. It evaluates how people judge the performance and honesty of the state.

The Ghana Wellbeing Tracker focuses on how economic conditions affect households. It examines things like how difficult it is to afford living expenses. It also looks at job situations, changes in income, and how resilient households are financially. These factors are put together into the Ghana Wellbeing Index, or GWI. This index also ranges from 0 to 100. APL believes these tools will help policymakers make better decisions. They want to ensure policies align with what people are actually experiencing in Ghana.

These new trackers are important for understanding the real-world impact of government policies. They go beyond official statistics. By listening to citizens, APL hopes to provide a clearer picture of economic challenges and trust in government. This data can help guide future economic and governance reforms in Ghana. For example, understanding citizen perceptions of corruption can help target anti-corruption efforts more effectively. Similarly, knowing about household financial stress can inform social protection programmes.

This initiative comes at a time when economic conditions are a major concern for many Ghanaians. Inflation and the cost of living have been significant issues. Understanding citizen sentiment is therefore crucial for effective governance. APL's Director of Research, Dr. Hayford Ayerakwa, emphasized the citizen-centred approach. He highlighted that these tools are designed to reflect how ordinary people experience governance and the economy. The launch included the presentation of APL’s first reports based on these trackers.

The implications for policymakers are significant. The GTB and GWI can provide early warnings of potential social unrest or economic hardship. They offer a quantifiable way to track public sentiment over time. This allows for adjustments in policy before issues become critical. Businesses might also use this data to understand consumer confidence. The availability of this data should lead to more responsive and evidence-based policy making in Ghana’s public sphere.