Cost Of Living: Prices Of Caskets To Shoot Up Significantly By Next Week
The high cost of living due to the abrupt depreciation of the cedi, which has affected products on the market, has extended to coffin and casket makers.
Manufacturers of coffins and caskets are lamenting over the increment of raw materials such as saws, nails, pines, oaks, teaks, mahogany, fillers, fabrics for lining the coffin, and others.
Consequently, some coffin and casket makers at Asafo in the Ashanti Region have indicated that the prices of products at their shops will be increased, effective next week.
“I bought the fabric we use to decorate the casket for ¢200 on Friday; I was told today to pay ¢240. I couldn’t buy it, so I had to come home to solicit the remaining amount.
“Things are expensive. I would also not sell them [caskets] at a reduced price. All manufacturers here have come to a consensus to increase and stick to one price, latest by next week,” one manufacturer said in an interview on Joy News, which was monitored by The Ghana Report.
“This casket is called ‘Abenwaha’, with a price range of ¢1,500 to ¢2,000. But now, If I don’t sell it at ¢2,800, I may not be able to accrue my profit,” he added.
Another manufacturer, who showed concern about how customers are lamenting over the increment, added, “Our work has been affected. I used to buy a filler at ¢80. Currently, I buy it at ¢230. I used to finish two coffins a day. Buyers keep complaining because we scare them with the pricing”.
“Starting next week, the prices of coffins will increase. The ¢1,000-priced coffins will be sold at ¢1,500. The ¢800-priced coffins would be sold at ¢1000,” he hinted.
Meanwhile, other coffin manufacturers have already increased their prices due to the cost of the raw materials without a formal meeting by the association.
Manufacturers of the coffins and caskets are appealing to all customers to bear with them over the price hikes.
The Coffin Manufacturers Association is calling on the government to prevent the importation of coffins and caskets into the country.
“if the government wants Ghanaians to eat, wear, and like the things produced or manufactured in Ghana, then Ghanaians should also be encouraged to purchase coffins and caskets manufactured in Ghana”.