I don’t know where Statistical Service collected their data from – Bryan Acheampong on food price hike

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has cast doubt on the latest food price and inflation report issued by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

In an interview on Joy News on October 10, 2024, Acheampong expressed concerns that the findings presented by the GSS do not align with his ministry’s own analysis. 

He stated, “I don’t know where the Statistical Service collected their data from. I am in every part of this country daily. I get data on farm gate prices of almost 22 commodities that we are tracking. I get market prices of these items daily.”

He argued that while maize prices have risen due to a prolonged dry spell, the prices of other key staples such as plantains, tomatoes, onions, and cassava have dropped significantly. 

He detailed the percentage drops, citing a 27% decrease in plantains prices, a 30% drop in tomatoes, an 11% decrease in onions, and a 13% reduction in cassava prices.

Contrary to claims of rising food costs, he insisted that prices for most commodities have been stabilizing. 

“This is what is happening on the ground... If you go to the market, the prices of everything, except maize, are coming down,” he said.

“Inflation figures for September are comparing prices from September this year to last year's September. But I am telling you, from January to date, the price of food is going down,” he added. 

“Notwithstanding the announcement of the dry spell, we’ve seen a significant decrease in the prices of food on the market,” he remarked. 

AM/OGB

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