The beginning of 2017 was a very momentous one as Ghana ushered in a new administration under the leadership of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

Under the first 12 months of governance, there definitely are specific developments and issues that Ghanaians wished never to happen in 2018.This article seeks to explore six of such expectations.

1. Increase in taxes

One major move by the government that Ghanaians dread the most is the increase or introduction of new taxes.

Taxation, in itself, is not a bad thing for the government as it helps increase revenue for socio-economic development. But too much taxation is what often gets on the nerves of taxpayers. We saw the harm introduction of many taxes caused the erstwhile Mahama administration. Moving on to 2018, most Ghanaians would want to start the season with the space of economic freedom.

2. Legalisation of homosexuality

Ghanaians resurrected the "gay debate" after President Akufo-Addo engaged in an interaction with Aljazeera over the controversial issue of same-sex marriages. Even though the government has clarified what Akufo-Addo actually meant in his engagement with Aljazeera, it is very clear that many Ghanaians are just hoping the entire gay debate is nothing that could surface in 2018.

3.Increase in utility prices

The government has promised to reduce utility prices by almost fifty percent come 2018. Even though Ghanaians have taken this promise in good faith, there remain quite a number of Ghanaians who feel the entire promise could end up in the reverse. Increase in utility prices virtual affects the entire value chain of the economy.

4. Increase in transport fares

Transport fares remain the benchmark through which Ghanaians measure the performance of the economy. As we speak, millions of Ghanaians use public transport on a daily basis thus will feel the pinch of an increase in transport. This year, moves by commercial drivers to increase transport fares yielded little results as the new government did everything possible to prevent such hike. We hope to see if such interventions could be made in favour of Ghanaians in 2018.

5. Pardon corrupt officials

Corruption has always been an issue for Ghanaians across the country. Currently, President Akufo-Addo has established the office of the independent prosecutor aimed at dealing with corrupt public officials both in the present and former administrations. What Ghanaians hate to see is a trend were government could become selective in this move.