Market prices of electrical appliances inch up marginally – Survey
A market survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Cowlane, a major market in Accra on Friday, revealed that prices of electrical appliances had marginally inched up during the second quarter of 2013.
It was observed that eight, 11 and 14 watts of energy saving bulbs, which were sold at GH₵6 in December last year are currently being sold at GH¢7 whilst the price for the 18 watt bulb had increased from GH¢8 to GH¢10.
Speaking to the GNA, William Eshun, a trader who operates a shop at the Cowlane market, however, said the prices for the same electrical appliances which were of inferior standard was half the price.
He said Philips and Osram brands for the energy-saving bulbs were of good quality.
Mr Eshun observed that the price for 80 watt of energy-saving bulb was between GH¢12 and GH¢15 last year depending on the brand but this had moved to between GH¢15 and GH¢17, whilst a cable metal measuring 1.5 millimetre, which was selling at GH¢43 in 2012 is now being sold at GH¢47, and a 2.5 millimetre previously sold between GH¢63 and GH¢64 is now being sold at GH¢68.
A British-branded 1.5-centimetre metal cable is sold at GH¢18 whilst its Turkish counterpart is being sold at GH¢42.
Other prices are a 2.5 centimetre cable (British) is GH¢27 as against the made in Turkey, which is selling at GH¢62.
According to Mr Daniel Ahulu, the owner of Date-Line Electrical Works, a company which deals in and supplies electrical gadgets, a television cable is being sold at GH¢15 whiles a two-pair cable is at GH¢20.
He added that one-gang switch is sold between GH¢5 and GH¢10, depending on the brand and the type whilst a cooker unit switch is pegged between GH¢10 and GH¢15.
On distribution boards, Mr George Essilfie at the Newluchy Electricals Company Limited, suppliers and retailers of havells and polycab products told the GNA that a four-way single distribution board is being sold at GH¢70.
Meanwhile Nana Yaw, one of the traders, had expressed disquiet over high import duties and the current cedi depreciation against the dollar, saying that, the situation was one of the main reasons why some individuals imported cheap and inferior goods.
Source: GNA