Ghana’s Economy To Suffer Due To Stalemate In Burkina

SMETHERE ongoing political crisis in Burkina Faso is like to have repercussions on the Ghanaian economy.

Apart from the Burkinabes seeking refuge in Ghana, there could also be a possible shortage of tomatoes and other vegetables in the coming months if current crisis in that Francophone country lasts.

This is the fear expressed by tomato sellers in Ghana. Ghana depends chiefly on imported tomatoes from Burkina Faso between December and May every year.

Demand for the vegetable significantly increases during the Christmas season because Ghana does not cultivate at that time of the year.

The General Secretary of the Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association, Lydia Aflianu said there could be shortages as well as price hikes if the unrest in neighboring Burkina Faso continues.

“As at now we are not carting tomatoes. There is enough in the system over here. When tomatoes gets finished here then we go to Burkina Faso. If this continues until December, that will affect our trade”, she said.

According to her “when it gets to peak season, we cart about 20-50 trucks daily which has a capacity to carry about 120-140 crates in each truck”.

Meanwhile there are fears expressed by other stakeholders that the price of meat will also shoot up considering some of the livestock are imported from Burkina Faso.

Supply of other vegetables like onions, carrot, cabbage, among others could also be affected for the same reasons

On Thursday, protesters angered by his bid to extend his 27-year rule torched parliament and government buildings.

They want him to resign immediately.

The creation of a transitional government was announced on Thursday by army chief General Honore Traore, who said it would “be put in place in consultation with all parties”.

He also declared the dissolution of parliament.

“A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months,” he added, but gave no further details.

In a TV address later on Thursday, Mr Compaore refused to step down but said he would hand over power once the transitional government had completed its 12-month term.

He also said he was lifting a “state of siege” he had declared earlier.

He said he was withdrawing a controversial law which would enable him to seek another term in office when his current term ends in 2015, according to media reports.

African Eye News

 

 

 

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