June 22, 1999 By Allen Thompson

Accra - While majority of Ghanaians lament the ever rising high cost and a low standard of living in Ghana, Ghanaians resident in the Republic of Togo are happy with the purchasing power of their currency in Togo.

"With 800 cedis (200 CFA), I can have a full plate of rice and stew with egg. I am even given some balance with which I buy three cups of iced water anytime I visit Togo," says Joe Adjei, a petty trader who deals in jeans and plies Accra- Lome.

"Togo is very nice," he adds, "because I can eat to my satisfaction and purchase jeans at a far lower price than what I otherwise would have paid for them in Ghana."

"Besides food, taxi fares are relatively lower than we have in my own country."

Our investigations reveal that a trip that attracts a fare of 4,000 cedis by bush taxi could be undertaken for only 100 CFA (some 430 cedis) in Togo.

A cross-section of small-scale business commuters interviewed are convinced that life in the Republic of Togo is economically friendlier than in Ghana. They say they can have three square meals a day, whereas in Ghana, they end up with only one a day and for the rest of the day survive on toasted plantain and peanuts or on fresh coconut and other light foods.

The comparatively low cost of living with its accompanying high standard of living in Togo is even made more appealing to Ghanaians who have found a permanent home in that country, when it comes to finding residential accommodation.

From our investigations, residential accommodation is readily available for both the citizens and foreigners.

"If you have 15,000 CFA (64,500.00 cedis), you can pay for a one-room flat with all amenities. You can live in this room without any harassment for as long as you wish provided you can pay to the landlord an additional 2,000 CFA (8,600.00 cedis) each month," says one Emmanuel, a Ghanaian who makes business trips to Togo on regular basis.

When asked about taxes on their wares on the return trip to Ghana, Emmanuel has this to say: "You see, that is no problem when you return with second-hand goods. But if you are with new goods, they want to see your papers."

Ghanaian youth are doing brisk business in the Republic of Togo. Some of them have made that country their permanent place of abode while others visit on regular basis.

Regarding travel documents, the youth say they enter Togo without passports, adding that they simply casually walk across the border and pass by unsuspecting border control personnel. They say where they are questioned, the usual thing is to dish out some bribe money.

Those interviewed are of the view that the Ghana cedi has a far higher purchasing power in Togo on conversion, that is, as far as the goods they deal in are concerned. These goods include second-hand clothes, car floor carpets, car seat covers, steering covers, cigarettes, etc.

Most of these Ghanaian youth are found on our streets walking between vehicular traffic and transacting brisk business. They are either school drop- outs, skilled but unemployed youth, orphaned youth or youth from under- privileged homes.

Until our opinion leaders and administrators together with decision-makers in government come out with comprehensive policies to uplift the image of the youth, through long-lasting programmes, the future looks bleak for our youth, who are always said to be the future leaders of the country.