Kumasi drivers demand price controls for goods, brand some traders as real ‘Kalabule’

In Kumasi, drivers belonging to registered transport unions have urged the government to implement price controls for goods. This demand comes after a 8% increase in transport fares was announced by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council, reigniting discussions about the escalating costs of goods and services. Drivers argued that unlike transport fares, which are strictly regulated, traders have the liberty to set their own prices without any oversight.

They likened these traders to the "Kalabule," signifying exploitative profiteering. Drivers pointed out that while the Ghana Police Road Transport Union negotiates with the government regarding fare adjustments, traders themselves set their own prices, often without justification. They expressed frustration that even when fuel prices and transport fares are reduced, traders fail to lower the prices of their goods, exacerbating the difficulties faced by ordinary Ghanaians.

The drivers believe that the absence of price regulation in the trading sector contributes significantly to the high cost of living. They are calling on the government to establish a price control mechanism to ensure fairness, protect consumers, and alleviate the burden on the general public. Some petty traders agreed with the drivers' concerns, acknowledging that while drivers are correct, they also face challenges such as high import duties, rent, and wholesale prices.

A trader at Kejetia Market stated that while some traders inflate prices arbitrarily, others are constrained by high prices set by wholesalers. Both parties emphasized the need for price control to bring stability and uniformity to the market, as arbitrary pricing from traders hinders efforts to stabilize the economy.