Sachet Water Price Hike Sparks Clash at Kumasi CBD
Many Traders and onlookers were left stunned when a fight broke out between a sachet water seller and some traders over an increase in the price of the product from GH₵ 0.50 to GH₵ 0.70.
The retailer, believed to be in her 20s, had been called by a trader to buy a sachet of water, only to inform the trader that the price had increased to GH₵0.70.
This angered some traders, who began insulting the retailer and calling her a thief.
The insults from the traders provoked the sachet water seller to respond in kind, drawing more onlookers and passengers to the scene.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 15, at the PZ area near the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Roundabout in the Kumasi Central Business District (CBD) of the Ashanti Region.
Personnel of the Kumasi Metro Guards from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), who were present at the scene, managed to calm the situation.
The increase in the price of sachet water follows a pricing recommendation made a fortnight ago by the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP).
Although the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has engaged producers to halt the nationwide price increase, some retailers have begun adjusting prices to protect their profit margins.
The price of a bag of sachet water has increased from GH₵10.00 to GH₵13.00.
