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Story by Angelina Tukpe
Ghanaians are grappling with soaring food prices, a consequence of increased transport fares driven by rising fuel costs. This surge in transportation expenses has forced market traders to raise prices, making it difficult to maintain profitability while keeping goods affordable. As a result, consumers are facing significant increases in the cost of essential food items, adding to the growing economic burden on households across the country.
During a visit to Makola Market, the Adoa News team spoke with several market women who explained the impact of transportation costs on food prices.
Emelia, a trader, expressed her frustration, noting:
All the foodstuffs are expensive—okra, tomatoes, palm nuts. The whole bag of okra is now fourteen million cedis; it used to be four million. People talk a lot, but the reality is that we can’t control these prices.
Naa Dei, another trader, highlighted the dramatic increase in lorry fares and its effect on tomato prices.
Lorry fare is increasing. The big box of tomatoes is now 7,000 cedis, and the small box is 22 million. How much should I sell it now? The paint rubber is 20 cedis, and we don’t sell tomatoes for 10 cedis anymore.
Similarly, Naa Torshie shared her struggles with selling garden eggs:
First, you could get plenty of garden eggs for 5 cedis; now, it’s 10 cedis for a small amount. The whole sack of garden eggs is now 25 million cedis.
Akosuah, another trader, emphasized the rising cost of plantains this year. “In 2024, plantains are expensive.
If you don’t have two million cedis, you can’t buy a bunch. Now, four fingers of plantain cost 20 cedis.
The soaring prices are not limited to Makola Market but are being felt nationwide. The transportation sector, heavily impacted by fuel price hikes, passes these costs onto traders who have no choice but to increase the prices of their goods to stay afloat. This situation is exacerbating the economic challenges faced by many Ghanaian households, who are already struggling with inflation and stagnant wages.
As food prices continue to rise, the stories from Makola Market reflect a broader national issue that requires urgent attention to prevent further economic hardship for the Ghanaian people
