The closure of the Benin border following the coup in Niger is expected to result in a rise in onion prices across various markets within the nation.
Traders dealing in onions who are currently stranded at the Benin border for an extended period have made an appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urging his intervention to expedite the release of approximately 70 trucks transporting onions from Niger to Ghana via Benin.
Due to the border closure resulting from the Niger coup, these trucks and their drivers have been immobilized at the border for multiple weeks.
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A group of onion vendors, responsible for over 70 truckloads, expressed concerns and highlighted the significant risk of the onions spoiling if prompt action is not taken by the President. This could lead to a potential surge in onion prices.
The political turmoil in Niger has caused a drastic increase in vegetable prices, with bags of vegetables now costing between GH¢1,500 to GH¢1,600. Industry insiders fear that if the situation is not swiftly addressed, prices could escalate further to GH¢3,000 to GH¢4,000.
In an interview on Eyewitness News, the spokesperson for the onion sellers, Yakubu Apendiba explained, “Monday night, they opened about 35 trucks of onions. They have also parked about 45 trucks at the Burkina Faso border. The Ghana Ambassador in Benin visited the truck drivers on Saturday, Monday night they moved to the Burkina Faso border, and some were able to pass through the Benin border.
“But some are still stuck at the Burkina Faso border. Now if you come to the onion market today, it’s not easy, onions which used to be sold at GH¢1,000 to GH¢1,100 are now being sold at GH¢1,500. There’s a lack of onions at other places as well. So we are pleading with the government to help us talk to Burkina Faso’s President so that the trucks will be escorted to Ghana.”
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Soldiers announced a coup on national television on July 27, during which they dissolved the constitution, suspended institutions, and closed the country’s borders. The coup leaders have taken President Mohamed Bazoum into custody, and the country’s airspace was subsequently closed on August 7, citing the threat of military intervention from neighboring countries.
ECOWAS, the West African regional group, had earlier issued a warning that it might use force if President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated by a specified deadline. In response, a junta spokesman stated that Niger’s armed forces are prepared to defend the country. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured President Bazoum of Washington’s unwavering support in a phone call.
