Set price ceiling on sachet water

Dear Editor,

A bag of sachet water (pure water) is now selling at GH 5.00 in Accra and I am trying to find the justification for the arbitrary increase in price by some vendors.

Somewhere last year, the vendors threatened to increase the unit price to 0.30 pesewas but were compelled to maintain it at 0.20 pesewas following resistance from the public.

But with the recent increment, the vendors say they have no choice but sell at previous price the public had resisted. Considering the increasing rate at which prices keep escalating, I fear price per bag could reach GHC 10.00 sometime soon.

I believe pricing of basic commodities such as water should not be left to the discretion of individual traders. I learnt from my limited economics that the government could introduce price control measures (price ceiling) when prices of certain goods and services seem to be increasing at an alarming rate.

Price ceiling is explained as the mandated maximum amount a seller is allowed to charge for a product or service. With the galloping inflation we are witnessing currently, I believe it is time the government stepped in to set a price ceiling on sachet water and other commodities that are becoming expensive every other day.

In the meantime, the water vendors association should be lobbied once again so they revert to the old prices. Whatever be the concern, I strongly believe that the vendors can still make profit when the old prices are maintained or even when it is reduced further.

Mark Omane Sarpong,

Ashaiman-Lebanon.