Hand sanitiser prices cause uproar on social media
Several Ghanaians are angry about the outrageous price increases
It’s a mix of views on social media, mostly over the ridiculous prices at which hand sanitizers are selling for in most of the country’s pharmacies.
Read full articleThe World Health Organisation, Government of Ghana, the Health Ministry and the Ghana Health Service have all been re-echoing the same message about personal safety in recent times, following some 6 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country.
Aside covering the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, keeping the hand away from the face and most importantly, frequent washing and sanitising of the hands have been key among preventive tips shared widely.
On the back of that, the sale of sanitisers skyrocketed, beginning Friday March 13, 2020, barely hours after the first announcement by the health ministry. Shops including those at the various malls in the capital were out of stock in the early hours of the day.
By Saturday, pricing strategies had changed for retailers and sellers of the sanitisers. There was over 50 to 100 percent inflation, causing an uproar on social media.
Small sanitisers which would ordinarily cost between 3 to 5 cedis are now going for 8 and 10 cedis in some cases. The bigger ones are now between the ranges of 80 and 150 cedis.
Whilst many have condemned pharmacies for dwelling on a global pandemic to cash in on sales, others are describing the move as unreasonable and shameful, especially because it will adversely affect everybody else if the virus spreads because people cannot afford to purchase these sanitisers.
“All pharmacies and shops that have increased the prices of sanitisers astronomically are all hell-bound. You sit in your homes and offices and complain when issues of corruption come up. You’re corrupt. You’re evil. You shameless bunch of insensitive people.
If your neighbour can't afford it, your chance of infection is higher.” Renonwed broadcaster, Nana Aba Anamoah said.
Here is how some Ghanaians reacted:
