A large stock of onions valued at an estimated GH¢3.1 million has been left to rot at the Adjen Kotoku Market in the Ga West Municipality, raising concerns about post-harvest losses, market mismanagement, and the economic impact on traders and consumers.
According to traders, the onions—imported mainly from Niger and Burkina Faso—began to spoil after spending several days in storage without being purchased.
Many blamed the situation on low patronage, poor storage facilities, and the relocation challenges that have affected business since onion trading was moved from Agbogbloshie to Adjen Kotoku.
Traders count their losses
Some traders explained that the lack of proper warehousing and ventilation in the market contributed heavily to the spoilage. Onions, being perishable and sensitive to heat, deteriorate quickly when stored in congested or poorly aerated conditions.
“We have lost thousands of cedis. These onions have been here for days because buyers are not coming, and the heat is destroying them,” one trader lamented.
Others expressed frustration that despite repeated calls for improved facilities and better market organisation, little has changed.
The Spokesperson for the Onion Traders Association, Osman Mohammed Sidi, explained that the large-scale spoilage was mainly caused by the long distance the onions travel from Nigeria and the inferior quality of some imported varieties.
“The reason for the damaged onions this season is mainly due to the long journey they make from Nigeria to Ghana.
“The onions we import are mostly from Kano, not Sokoto, and the Kano variety is generally less strong,” he explained.
According to Sidi, traders were compelled to depend on onions from Kano this year because supplies from Niger, Sokoto and Burkina Faso were limited.
“The trip from Kano to Ghana takes about eight to 10 days, and if a truck breaks down, it can take up to 12 days. For onions, even a one-day delay can be disastrous as they start to spoil quickly.
“That’s why many of the onions arrived here in bad condition,” he said.
He added that local onions also suffered losses because most Ghanaian farmers did not cultivate varieties designed for long-term storage. “Once they harvest, they expect ready markets.”
Impact on prices and supply
Interestingly, the massive spoilage has occurred at a time when consumers are complaining about high onion prices in several parts of the country.
Calls for intervention
Market leaders are urging the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, local authorities, and development partners to invest in improved storage systems, including temperature-controlled facilities, modern warehouses, and training for traders on handling perishable goods.
They also want a review of the relocation plan to ensure the Adjen Kotoku Market becomes fully functional with the needed infrastructure and consistent buyer traffic.
Way ahead
The incident adds to growing concerns about Ghana’s food security as post-harvest losses—especially in vegetables and perishables—continue to undermine the agricultural economy.
Without urgent intervention, traders fear that such losses will persist, affecting livelihoods and causing further instability in market prices.
