Parents preparing their children for Senior High School (SHS) in Tema are being forced to stretch their budgets as the cost of essential school supplies rises ahead of the reopening of schools.
The increase in prices of items such as trunks, mattresses, school bags, footwear, uniforms and stationery has prompted parents and prospective first-year students to move between shops in search of cheaper alternatives.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to the Tema Central Market and other trading centres showed that several commonly purchased items were selling above last year’s prices.
A chop box or trunk, which sold for about GH¢270 last year, was being sold for between GH¢300 and GH¢330, while mattresses that previously started from about GH¢250 were now selling from GH¢280, depending on their density.
Some large school bags had also risen from about GH¢100 to GH¢150.
The price increases have become an additional financial burden for families, many of whom have several items to purchase within a limited period before their children report to school.
Madam Salomey Sugaa, a parent, said the rising cost of school supplies was putting pressure on household budgets.
Madam Mawusi Semanu said although the prices were high, parents had little option because most of the items were required for their children’s admission to school.
She alleged that some traders were taking advantage of the seasonal increase in demand to raise their profit margins.
Mr Kojo Annan, another parent, expressed a similar concern, saying some traders appeared to increase prices because they knew parents had to purchase the items before their children reported to school.
Traders blame supply costs
Traders, however, attributed the increases largely to higher prices charged by manufacturers and distributors.
Mr Ametefe Serlom, a mattress seller, said retailers had limited control over prices because they bought directly from manufacturers and distributors at prevailing rates.
He said the increases had affected sales, with many parents spending more time bargaining before deciding what to buy.
Mr Serlom said retailers were operating with relatively small profit margins despite the higher prices.
Another trader, Ms Kesewa Boboo, said the seasonal rush had also attracted temporary sellers into the school-supplies market.
According to her, individuals who did not normally trade in school items had entered the market to take advantage of increased demand, creating additional competition for established retailers.
Meanwhile, GNA observed parents and students comparing prices at different shops and bargaining with traders as they sought to complete their school shopping within their available budgets.
