Onion sellers in Ghana concerned over possible shortages and price increase amid ECOWAS border restrictions on Niger

Some onion sellers in Ghana are expressing worries about potential shortages and price hikes due to ECOWAS' border restrictions on Niger following the recent coup d'état in the country.

Mr. Ali Umar, the Public Relations Officer of the Onion Sellers Association of Ghana, highlighted that approximately 70% of Ghana's onion supply comes from Niger. The import restrictions are likely to have a negative impact on the onion business in Ghana, leading to price increases.

Mr. Umar pointed out that besides Niger, about 20% of Ghana's onions are imported from Nigeria, 5% from Burkina Faso, and 5% are locally produced.

He expressed hope that Niger would consider allowing onion imports into Ghana despite the restrictions, citing previous instances where exemptions were granted for certain commodities, especially onions, during border restrictions in Burkina Faso.

The Ghanaian official also noted that the border restrictions would affect the export of salt from Ghana to Niger. He called for negotiations between countries to ensure the movement of essential goods within the West African sub-region to avoid hardships for the people.

Mr. Emmanuel Doni-Kwame, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Ghana, stressed the need for other onion-producing countries to increase production to fill the potential gap created by the restrictions.

He viewed this situation as an opportunity for Ghana to boost local onion cultivation and address the possible supply shortfall.

Regarding the current state of Niger, Mr. Doni-Kwame emphasized the importance of ensuring security, respect for the rule of law, and human rights, while also maintaining an uninterrupted economic system.

West African leaders recently announced several sanctions on Niger, including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger, following the military coup d'état in the country.