Traders and consumers in the Kaneshie, Odwana, and Mallam Atta markets in the Accra Metropolitan Districts are expressing distress over the soaring prices of food commodities in the midst of the country’s current economic challenges.
According to reports from the Ghanaian Times, a survey conducted at these markets revealed the significant increase in the cost of essential food items. For example, at the Kaneshie market, the price of 30 pieces of tomatoes has remained unchanged at GH¢20, but now only buys six pieces. Similarly, the cost of a basket of tomatoes has skyrocketed from GH¢50-60 to GH¢600-700. Other items like beans, rice, onions, and yams have also experienced sharp price hikes.
Customers like Mrs. Olivia Antwi are feeling the strain of these escalating prices, struggling to make ends meet with their household expenses. She expressed her frustration at the difficulty of providing enough food for her family with the limited “housekeeping money” she has available.
Market sellers, such as Mrs. Abena Adobea, are also feeling the pinch, attributing the increase in yam prices to higher transportation costs from urban centers. For many families, stagnant incomes and rising expenses have created a constant battle to cover basic necessities.
As Ghanaians grapple with these challenges, there is a growing concern about the impact of the economic situation on daily livelihoods. The uncertainty surrounding when these price hikes will stabilize adds to the anxiety for both traders and consumers in the affected markets.
