The population of a town increases by 8% annually.

Let $x$ be the population of the town a year ago.

Then, present population $=108 \%$ of $x$

$=\left(x \times \frac{108}{100}\right)$

$=\frac{27 x}{25}$

Now, $\frac{27 x}{25}=54000$

$\Rightarrow x=\left(54000 \times \frac{25}{27}\right)$

$\Rightarrow x=50000$

Hence, the population of the town a year ago was 50000 .