[ 2014-07-22 ]

High food prices killing Ghanaians
Increase in petroleum prices last week has pushed
up prices of basic foodstuffs such as plantain,
yam, cassava, and other local staples while house
rents are also steadily moving upwards with weak
regulatory body to control it.

The price of petrol (premium) was up by 23.08 per
cent translating a litre of the commodity, which,
hitherto, sold at Ghc2.73 per litre is now Ghc3.36
a litre. The price hike compelled Ghana's
transport union to increase transport fares last
Monday by 15 per cent.

A market survey by Business Day at the Central
Business District of Accra showed that prices of
foodstuffs had increased significantly following
an increment in petroleum prices.

Two weeks ago, a bowl of local rice, which was
sold at 6.00 Ghana cedis, has now increased to
7.00 Ghana cedis. A bowl of maize, which was
priced at 2.00 Ghana Cedis, has also shot up to 2
Ghana cedis, 50 pesewas. Three large-size tubers
of yam is sold between 12 Ghana Cedis and 15 Ghana
cedis while three pieces of cassava attract 2.00
Ghana cedis.?Bambara beans are now sold at 6 Ghana
Cedis; 50 pesewas a bowl as against 6.00 Ghana
cedis last two weeks. Groundnut was sold at
8.Ghana Cedis 50 pesewas a bowl but now increased
by 50 pesewas.

Wheat is now sold at 10.00 Ghana cedis instead of
9.00 Ghana Cedis. ?Gari is selling at 3.Ghana
Cedis 50 pesewas a bowl as against 3.00 Ghana
cedis while millet and white beans still
maintained their prices of 3.00 Ghana Cedis and
6.00 Ghana Cedis respectively.?A maxi bag of
polish rice is now being sold at 150 Ghana Cedis
as against 120 Ghana cedis a fortnight ago. A bowl
of sugar now sells at 8 Ghana cedis 50 pesewas as
against 8 Ghana cedis.

A crate of tomatoes which was sold at 370 Ghana
Cedis now sells at 400 Ghana Cedis, a mini size
bowl of fresh pepper sells at 35.Ghana cedis as
against 15.Ghana Cedis last month. A packet of
Maggie cube now sells at 11 Ghana cedis instead of
9 Ghana 50 pesewas.?

At the livestock market, as at last two weeks, a
big size local goat was 250 Ghana cedis but is now
selling at 400 Ghana cedis, medium size goat also
attracts a price of 150 Ghana cedis while a small
size goat also sells at 200 Ghana cedis?Some
market women who spoke to Business Day, said
because of high prices of foodstuffs and other
commodities, there was low patronage on their
goods, and that had affected sales.

Source - Business Day

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