BY Daniel Bampoe
Yam traders at the bustling Techiman Market in the Bono East Region have issued a desperate appeal to the government, warning that a worsening cash crunch and declining sales are pushing their businesses to the brink of collapse.
The traders, many of them who depend on the trading for survival, made their concerns known during an engagement with the Minority Caucus led by the Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
At the heart of their grievances is a sharp decline in purchasing power, limited access to cash, and rising operational costs, which they say have combined to cripple trade in one of Ghana’s largest food markets.
Several traders broke down in tears as they described the harsh realities confronting them.
One woman recounted how the collapse of her yam business has strained her family life, saying she had invested millions of cedis into the trade, only for her stock to rot due to lack of buyers.
The situation, according to the traders, is not isolated to Techiman but reflects a broader slowdown affecting major markets across the country.
They cited high transport costs, dwindling customer demand, and difficulties accessing working capital as key factors driving the downturn.
Many also expressed fears that if urgent action is not taken, more traders will be forced out of business.
The concerns in Techiman mirror similar challenges recorded during the Minority’s three-day tour of the Bono East Region, which covered Atebubu-Amantin, Pru West, Kintampo North, Kintampo South, Nkoranza North, Nkoranza South, Techiman North, and Techiman South.
Across these constituencies, farmers dealing in maize, rice, yam, cashew, and other crops consistently raised issues of falling prices, lack of ready markets, and delayed payments.
At Atebubu-Amantin, farmers complained of produce left to rot despite reports of funds allocated to the Buffer Stock Company. In Kintampo and Nkoranza, cashew, maize, and rice farmers echoed similar frustrations, pointing to rising input costs and weak market demand.
By the time the tour reached Techiman Market—a major distribution hub supplying food across southern Ghana—the full extent of the crisis had become evident, affecting not just producers but traders along the entire value chain.
Responding to the concerns, Annoh-Dompreh assured the traders that the Minority Caucus would continue to raise the issue in Parliament and push for concrete measures to restore market activity.
He emphasised the need for urgent government intervention to ease the cash constraints, revive demand, and support both farmers and traders who form the backbone of the country’s food supply system.
The Bono East engagements form part of a broader nationwide outreach by the Minority Caucus aimed at amplifying the voices of farmers and traders while advocating policy responses to stabilise the agricultural sector.
