The General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) predicts that food prices will keep rising in the coming months.
Inflation in September 2024 rose to 21.5%, up from 20.4% in August.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has attributed this increase primarily to a rise in food inflation.
Former General Secretary of GAWU, Edward Kareweh, warns that consumers should brace for further food price hikes due to farmers’ ongoing challenges.
He highlighted the negative impacts of illegal mining (galamsey) and a recent dry spell as key factors driving food inflation.
Mr Kareweh predicts that 2024 will see no significant increase in food production.
“If total output declines, food prices will inevitably rise,” he cautioned, urging that from now until December and into early 2025, we can expect food inflation to push overall national inflation higher.
Despite government measures aimed at alleviating these issues, Mr Kareweh believes they will be ineffective if illegal mining continues unchecked.
He emphasized that the destruction of water bodies and farmland poses a serious threat to future food security, warning that prices of basic food items will continue to rise unless stronger actions are taken to combat galamsey.
Overall, while non-food inflation has decreased slightly from 21.5% to 20.9%, the current environment suggests continued challenges for both food production and pricing in the months ahead.