Parents lament rising cost of SHS school supplies

In Tema, parents and guardians have voiced concerns over the increasing cost of school supplies for their children who are about to enter Senior High Schools (SHSs). As parents and prospective SHS students crowded the Tema Central Market and other trading hubs for their back-to-school shopping, a visit to the markets revealed that prices of some common items had risen compared to last year.

Parents found themselves bargaining with traders to stay within their budgets, as they had to purchase chop boxes, trunks, mattresses, school bags, uniforms, footwear, and stationery. A modest chop box, which cost about GH¢270 last year, now sold for between GH¢300 and GH¢330 in several shops, while student mattresses, previously priced around GH¢250, were being sold from GH¢280. The price of large school bags had also increased from approximately GH¢100 to GH¢150.

Madam Salomey Sugaa, a parent, lamented that these price hikes had added financial strain, especially at a time when they needed to buy several items within a short period. Madam Mawusi Semanu, another parent, acknowledged the high prices but said parents had little choice, as these items were essential for their children's admission to school.

She also accused some traders of exploiting the peak shopping period to boost their profits. Mr Kojo Annan echoed similar sentiments, stating that some traders raised prices because they knew parents had to buy the items before their children started school. Traders, on the other hand, attributed the price increases primarily to higher costs from manufacturers and distributors.

Mr Ametefe Serlom, a mattress trader, explained that manufacturers and distributors set mattress prices, resulting in small profit margins for retailers. He also mentioned that high prices had affected sales, as many parents bargained extensively before making their purchases. Mr Serlom noted that traders did not dictate mattress prices since they bought them from manufacturers and distributors at prevailing prices.

Another trader, Ms Kesewa Boboo, noted that temporary vendors entering the market during the peak school-shopping period had also impacted established retailers' businesses. She observed that some people who typically did not trade in school supplies entered the market during the season to capitalize on increased demand, intensifying competition. The Ghana News Agency observed that parents and students kept moving between shops to find affordable items, with some comparing prices before making their purchases.