Residents of Tamale are raising concerns over a steady increase in sachet water prices, despite earlier government intervention aimed at preventing such hikes.

The government, through the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, had indicated plans to absorb cost pressures to shield consumers from price adjustments. The move was expected to keep sachet water prices stable nationwide.

However, checks across parts of Tamale reveal that prices have gone up in several communities, with retailers selling sachet water at higher rates than previously recorded.

Vendors attribute the increase to rising wholesale prices, which they say leave them with little choice but to pass on the cost to consumers.

The price has already been increased when we buy from the wholesalers, so we also have to increase it. Some brands we use to buy at 8 cedis are now sold at 10 cedis. We use to sell it at 10 cedis but now we sell it at 13 cedis, a seller explained.

Consumers, on the other hand, describe the situation as troubling, noting that sachet water is an essential daily commodity.

This is what we rely on every day, so the increase is affecting us. We use to buy two sachet water for 1 cedi, now one is 1 cedis or three sachet water for 2 cedis, a resident said.

The development has sparked concern among many residents who depend heavily on sachet water, with calls for stronger measures to ensure the product remains affordable.

By Latifa Amadu