Ecowas Sanctions on Niger Raise Concerns for Ghana’s Food Prices.
As Ecowas enforces sanctions on Niger following last month’s coup, the intended pressure on the junta might have unintended repercussions across the region.
In Ghana, worries are emerging regarding the potential impact of these sanctions on the cost of essential food items. With the country already grappling with high inflation rates, there’s growing apprehension that these sanctions could exacerbate the situation.
Niger plays a crucial role in Ghana’s food supply chain, particularly concerning onions – a staple in many Ghanaian dishes. Traders in Accra, the capital city, emphasize that Ghana heavily relies on Niger for a significant portion of its onion imports.
Alarms are ringing as traders express concerns about the possibility of facing shortages in this vital cooking ingredient.
The sanctions implemented by Ecowas involve a reduction in trade connections among member states, leading to a scenario where more than 70 trucks, loaded with onions destined for Ghana, remain stranded at the Niger border.
Traders anticipate that if these sanctions persist, the cost of a bag of onions could surge by up to 90%.
In the previous year, Niger’s onion exports to Ghana and other West African nations amounted to approximately $23 million (£18 million), underscoring the extent of the trade impact these sanctions can have on the region.
