Prices of local rice and other commodities move up in Sekondi-Takoradi

Takoradi-Ghana, Nov. 10, GNA – Some local rice dealers have expressed concern about the frequent increase in the price of the commodity.
Aside from the price hikes, the staple food in most homes is also becoming scarce according to the traders in the Sekondi Central Market.
Mena Aba Takyiewa, a cereal dealer said a cup of the local rice sold at GHS 3.00 was now GHS8.00 with the three-kilogramme (kg) bag selling at GHC40 instead of GHC24.
Mama Theresa, a well-known local rice dealer complained about the hike in prices and shortage of the commodity.
“We know that rice and gari are for everybody, especially the average home and today it’s difficult to buy these staples even local rice …why and how, I have even decided to stop and look for something else to trade in”.
She, therefore, entreated rice farmers and the government to help reduce prices and ensure continuous supply to boost the local rice industry and feed the many average households whose livelihoods depended on Rice and Gari.
The situation was not different at the new Takoradi market, traders in the area had urged the government to keep the dollar and CFA franc at a stabilized condition to ensure that goods and services were within the economy.
They also entreated the government on the need for fuel prices to come down to ensure that goods from remote areas were transported at reduced prices to enable the average Ghanaian to make a purchase.
Miss Esther Asare, a consumer complained bitterly about the cost of food items in the market saying, A tuber of yam which was sold for GhC5 is now between GHC15 and GHC 20. “No family can just feed on a tuber of yam, which means that we have to spend more money and where is the money.”
Madam Comfort Pra, a fruit dealer in the market lamented about the cost of fruits and vegetables such as onions, pepper, oranges which prices have increased due to high inflation of dollar.
She noted that a basket of apples which was GHC300 last year is now GHC450 and pleaded that the government should pity them and help stabilize the cedi against the CFA and dollar.
Madam Matilda Boateng, a cloth seller and utensils dealer said prices of her commodities had tripled due to the dollar and CFA rates and asked the government to redeem the falling cedi.
“We plead with the government to do something about the dollar and CFA rate to save body and soul of the average Ghanaian “.
Mr. Patrick Yalley, who sells latex foams, was shocked at how prices had increased in two weeks and called for subsidies on fuel to reduce the current economic challenges.