GAWU Warns of Further Food Price Increases Amid Rising Inflation
The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has warned that food prices are set to continue rising in the months ahead, despite government efforts to curb inflation.
The warning follows a sharp increase in inflation to 21.5% in September 2024, up from 20.4% in August, with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) attributing the rise to surging food prices.
Edward Kareweh, a former General Secretary of GAWU, reacting to the increase in food inflation stated that consumers should prepare for further price increases in the coming months due to challenges in the agricultural sector.
He highlighted the impact of illegal mining (galamsey) and an ongoing dry spell as key drivers of food inflation, warning that a significant decline in food production this year will exacerbate inflationary pressures through the end of 2024 and into early 2025.
Mr Kareweh further stressed that while the government has announced measures to mitigate the situation, these will be insufficient if the galamsey issue is not addressed, adding that the destruction of farmlands and water sources pose a long-term risk to food security.
Food inflation according to the GSS rose to 22.1% in September, up from 19.1% in August, driving the overall increase in inflation. Meanwhile, non-food inflation declined to 20.9% from 21.5%.
