Traders worried over hikes in prices of commodities

Accra, March 22, GNA - Prices of some commodities at the Makola Market have increased, leaving some traders and shoppers worried.

Many traders have concluded that the increase in prices is due to either the forthcoming Easter or the recent budget presented by the government, a survey conducted by Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday revealed.

Ms Gifty Eshun, a sales person at the God's Time Limited, a provisions shop, said retailers had seen increases in commodities like sugar, rice and cooking oil.

She said a bag of sugar, which was sold around GH¢ 97 before the budget is now selling at GH¢ 105, whiles a gallon of cooking oil which was sold at GH¢ 48 is now selling at GH¢ 65.

Madam Millicent Somuah, a dealer in provisions, said there were price increases in Milo, Cerelac and Cornflakes. Cerelac that used to sell at GH¢ 6.50 is now selling at GH¢7.

'Milo and Cornflakes are now selling at GH¢ 8 instead of GH¢ 7.50.

Mr. Gabriel Addasi of 'Nyame Tease Super Mart' told GNA that before the budget was read, prices of items like Exeter Corned beef, rice and oil were rising but after the reading prices had shot up drastically.

Madam Naa Dzidzor of Naa 'D' Jewelry said the increases in fuel prices and the budget reading had affected businesses in all aspects.

"We usually have three buying seasons per year - the New Year, Christmas and Easter - but the fuel prices and recent budget reading has affected this year's buying season,' she said.

Madam Ama Serwah, an Accra housewife with a family of six, said the market value of her housekeeping money had seriously dwindled because of the changes in prices.

"Formerly I could buy a substantial quantity of goods from my weekly 'chop money' but I am getting disappointed because the quantity of goods I buy keeps decreasing each week."

 
GNA