Sunyani: Ginger sellers at the Nana Bosoma Central Market in the Sunyani Municipality have called for the intervention of the government, worrying that the presence of traditional medicine producers is making the market price of ginger expensive.
According to Ghana News Agency, during a visit to the central market on Wednesday, the sellers expressed concerns that traditional healers were purchasing ginger in larger quantities and at favorable prices directly from the growers at the farm gates. This practice is making it challenging for local sellers to acquire ginger to sell to consumers, thereby slowing down their economic activities.
The sellers voiced fears that the current situation could lead to a shortage in the municipality if the government did not intervene. Mrs. Ataa Henewaa, a ginger seller at the central market, stated that the price of ginger was high because they were struggling to procure it, as growers preferred selling to traditional medicine producers. She urged the government to motivate ginger growers in the municipality and parts of the Bono region to expand their farms and engage in commercial plantations. Madam Faustina Kyeremaa, another seller, echoed these concerns, fearing a looming scarcity of ginger.
In a related development, tomato traders at the central market praised the government's plans to construct irrigation facilities to boost tomato production in the country. President John Dramani Mahama announced plans for a 60-hectare irrigation project to enhance tomato production. Tomato sellers expressed excitement about this decision, considering it commendable.
Madam Brago Akosombo, a tomato seller, appreciated the construction of irrigation facilities but also called on the government to establish processing factories to address post-harvest losses. Madam Ama Serwaa, another tomato seller, highlighted that with irrigation, tomato growers could expand their farms and urged the government to seek international marketing opportunities for the growers.