Traders at the Nana Bosoma Central Market are calling on the government to intervene in what they describe as a sharp rise in ginger prices, driven by increasing demand from traditional medicine producers.

According to the traders, herbal medicine manufacturers are purchasing ginger in large quantities directly from farmers at the farm gate, often at higher prices. This practice, they say, is making it difficult for market sellers to access adequate supplies.

The traders warn that the trend is beginning to affect their businesses and could lead to a shortage of ginger in the Sunyani municipality if urgent measures are not taken.

Ataa Henewaa, a ginger trader at the market, expressed concern over the situation, noting that many sellers are struggling to secure stock. She attributed the challenge to farmers prioritising bulk buyers from the traditional medicine sector.

She urged the government to support ginger farmers in the Bono Region to expand production through incentives and the promotion of large-scale farming.

Another trader, Faustina Kyeremaa, shared similar concerns, cautioning that continued high demand could result in a scarcity of ginger in the area.

Meanwhile, tomato sellers at the same market have welcomed government plans to boost production through irrigation. John Dramani Mahama recently announced a 60-hectare irrigation project aimed at increasing tomato output across the country.

While traders described the initiative as a positive step, they urged authorities to complement it with the establishment of processing factories to reduce post-harvest losses.

They also called for efforts to secure international markets for tomato farmers to improve profitability and ensure long-term sustainability in the sector.