Traders at Koforidua Central Market told a group of Minority MPs and New Patriotic Party functionaries that falling prices of some goods have not revived business, as weak purchasing power and rising operating costs leave them struggling to stay afloat.
The delegation, which included MP Michael Okyere Baafi of New Juaben South, MP Alexander Kwadwo Agyare of Kade, Mavis Nkansah Boadu, Martin Kwaku Adjei‑Mensah Korsah and MP Frank Annoh‑Dompreh of Nsawam‑Adoagyiri, met ahead of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson’s presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament.
Traders complained that low sales were making it difficult to repay loans taken to finance their businesses. They also raised concerns about market tolls and increased charges for market sheds. Some said that although certain commodities had become cheaper, customers were buying less, reducing turnover and putting pressure on their finances.
Afua Boamah, a trader, contrasted the current situation with that under former President Nana Akufo‑Addo, noting that higher prices had not deterred customers then. Another trader warned that market women could demonstrate if authorities failed to address what she described as steep increases in market shed charges.
The traders also expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to establish the promised Women’s Development Bank, arguing that the institution could have improved access to financial support for women in business. They called for outstanding payments to cocoa farmers and road contractors to be settled.
Addressing the gathering, Mavis Nkansah Boadu questioned the benefits of improving economic indicators if traders and households continued to face financial hardship. She said declining inflation figures needed to translate into tangible improvements in living conditions and raised concerns about education costs, access to employment and the promised Women’s Development Bank.
She urged traders to use the ballot to express their assessment of the government’s performance in 2028. The engagement comes ahead of Dr Forson’s presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament, with traders seeking measures to ease business costs and improve livelihoods.
