John Dumelo
Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has linked the ongoing ginger shortage and sharp price increases to a persistent plant disease that is reducing yields across farms.
According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service’s March Consumer Price Index (CPI), ginger was among the top 10 high-inflation items, recording a 61 percent year-on-year price increase.
Commenting on the surge in prices, Mr. Dumelo noted that the impact of the disease has affected production and created a supply shock, pushing prices to unprecedented levels.
“There’s a strange ginger disease that has come and formed the last two years. It has affected most of the ginger farmers [making] ginger very expensive, and more so, most of the farmers, when they harvest, they get very little produce,” he explained.
Dumelo highlighted the scale of the price hike for the popular spice: “I am still a farmer, and a sack of ginger that we used to sell between 300 and 400 cedis, is being sold at 3,000 or 3,500 cedis.
He urged consumers and traders to exercise patience as the government works to address the challenge.
“But we at the Agric Ministry are looking for an antidote for that disease, and that may take time. But I can assure that we are working around the clock to be able to address that disease so that ginger production continues, so that the price comes down.”
Mr Domelo said the ministry is currently exploring solutions to mitigate the impact of the disease and stabilise the market. While immediate relief may be limited, authorities say tackling the outbreak is key to restoring supply and easing prices.
For consumers and traders, the message is clear: patience is essential as government-led interventions aim to revive production and curb further price increases in Ghana’s ginger market.
A Daily Guide Report