Mahama Ayariga Dismisses Rising Food Price Claims, Says Cost of Living Is Not a Major Concern

The Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has raised concerns over public claims about rising food prices in the country, arguing that such assertions do not reflect the current economic reality.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Ayariga stated that with the low inflation rate, a stable exchange rate between the cedi and the dollar, and the overall stability of the local currency, prices of goods and services should not be increasing. He emphasized that the government’s economic measures have contributed to these positive indicators.

According to him, the real challenge facing the economy is not high food prices but rather the plight of farmers, many of whom are complaining that prices of their produce have fallen so low that they are unable to recover their production costs.

Hon. Ayariga described it as inconceivable for farmers to complain about low produce prices while some Members of Parliament simultaneously complain about a high cost of living. He noted that perceptions of hardship often differ based on lifestyle, suggesting that individuals accustomed to driving expensive cars and consuming high-end services may feel the impact differently.

He added that for ordinary Ghanaians who consume local foods such as kenkey, kokonte, and fish, food prices have not increased and may even be decreasing. In his view, the cost of living is therefore not a major issue in the current economy.

Report by  PKB