Residents in Tema are expressing growing concern over rising living costs following an increase in the price of sachet water, a key household necessity for many.
Some retailers have raised the price of a single sachet from GH¢0.50 to GH¢0.70, despite calls by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry for producers to hold off on price adjustments.
The development comes after a pricing recommendation by the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers, prompting some sellers to act early to protect their margins.
Traders say the cost increase is already being felt across the supply chain. A retailer, Bernice Agyeman, indicated that the price of a bag of sachet water has risen from GH¢10.00 to GH¢12.00.
Wholesalers attribute the hike to rising production costs, particularly the increasing price of raw materials such as polymers used in packaging.
However, not all sellers have implemented the new prices. Some wholesalers say they are waiting for clearer direction from NASPAWAP before making adjustments.
For consumers, the increase is raising concerns about affordability. Many residents noted that sachet water remains one of the most accessible sources of drinking water, especially for low- and middle-income households.
They warned that continuous price hikes could strain household budgets and potentially affect access to safe drinking water, with implications for public health.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between regulatory efforts to stabilise prices and market pressures driven by rising production costs.
