Parents appeal for government intervention in raised prices of books

Some parents and guardians in the Sunyani Municipality have expressed concern over the sharp increment in prices of books and stationery and appealed to the government to intervene to bring down the prices. 

Describing the increments as overwhelming amid the economic challenges citizens faced, they said it would be very difficult to buy all the textbooks prescribed for their children/wards. 

During a visit to some of the bookshops in Sunyani, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) realised that an exercise book, previously sold between GH¢2.50 and GH¢3.00, is now selling at GH¢5.00 and GH¢6.00. 

Textbooks, which were selling between GH¢25 to GH¢35 in the last academic year, are now pegged at GH¢60 to GH¢100. 

Madam Esi Awuah, a petty trader and a parent, sighted at one of the bookshops, said: “Buying books is now a headache.” 

“The economic standard of living is very high and how can we buy all these textbooks plus the exercise books and other stationeries?” 

Mr John Kumi Owusu, a parent, said the increment in tuition and feeding fees among other academic expenses by some private schools in the municipality, coupled with the high transport fares, were burdensome. 

Source: GNA