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Food prices still rising even with
relief measures
Tema, Aug 11, Ghanadot/GNA - Tema
Community One Central Market traders, have called on
Government to investigate why food prices continue to rise
in spite of the President’s relief measures.
On May 22 this year government announced the reduction of
import duties on major food items including rice and
vegetable oil as well as waive levies on some petroleum
products.
The intervention was aimed at mitigating the impact of
rising world food and oil prices.
Two and a half months after the announcement, the traders at
Tema told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tema during a
market survey that, prices had rather increased contrary to
their expectations.
They said the increased in prices was negatively affecting
their business because demand for their wares has fallen
with many complaining of limited income.
Mr Ampofo Minkah, a rice and vegetable cooking oil dealer,
said as at the 31st December last year, a 50 kilogram bag of
‘AA Thai’ rice popularly known as ‘Kofi Wayo’ rice sold at
GH¢28, now sells at GH¢53.
He said an “Olonka” (American Tin) of Chicago rice sold in
January at GH¢2.50 now cost GH¢4.
Mr Minkah said price of vegetable cooking oil has also gone
up from GH¢35.70 for a 25-litre of Turkey brand cooking oil
to GH¢46.90 at present.
Madam Agnes Harjor, a trader attributed the rising prices of
rice for instance to the absence of local rice on the
Ghanaian market, hence importers of foreign rice taking
advantage to raise the price.
According to her, some local rice were re-bagged and branded
and resold on the local market as if they were imported.
Fish mongers at the market, the GNA interacted with
corroborated the price hikes.
GNA
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