Building Materials Prices Increase In Tamale

According to some shop owners the regular increase in the price of building materials in the Tamale metropolis is affecting sales.   

They noted that their businesses would soon collapse if government fails to address the problems.  

A shop owner, who spoke to CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE on condition of anonymity, said a bag of cement went for GH¢14.50 prior to Christmas season, but it was currently selling at GH¢18 after two consecutive price increases in less than a month.

Checks conducted by the paper also revealed that a bucket of paint, which used to sell at GH¢21, now goes for GH¢26.  

A gallon of paint, prior to the fuel price increases, sold at GH¢8 but now sells at GH¢11 while a packet of galvanized roofing sheet is going for GH¢160 from GH¢110 a few weeks ago.   

Many people have expressed worry about the astronomical increase in the price of sand, which is being sold at GH¢160, instead of the previous price of GH¢120.  

According to some shop owners, their suppliers attributed the increase in the supplies to the depreciation of the cedi against the U.S dollar.  

Other residents told the paper that low patronage showed that prospective buyers were suffering.

They therefore called on government to address the problems to reduce their plight.

  From Stephen Zoure, Tamale