Ghana’s onion supply chain is under threat after trucks transporting onions from Niger through Nigeria were seized, raising fears of shortages and spoilage.
Spokesperson for the onion sellers association, Mustapha Sulemana Talimu, said the situation began after disagreements involving a section of traders and has now escalated into a wider crisis affecting the movement of goods into Ghana.
“Two, three days ago, a small group among the onion traders had an issue with Nigerian traders and stopped their cars from offloading goods at the market.
"Because of that, all the trucks coming to Ghana have now been seized.” - Mustapha Sulemana Talimu
The development has sparked concern among traders and consumers, as onions remain a key staple in Ghanaian households and food businesses.
Internal Dispute Escalates Across Associations
According to Talimu, what started as a disagreement among a few market players has expanded into a broader dispute involving several trader groups, including Ghanaian, Kusasi, Hausa and Côte d’Ivoire associations.
He said the standoff has gone beyond ordinary trade concerns and has become increasingly politicised.
“All the cars have been stopped. What we are talking about is the business of onions in Ghana, but the politics has come into it.” - Mustapha Sulemana Talimu
The seizure of the trucks has raised fears that delays could worsen if no immediate intervention is made to resolve the impasse.
Perishable Goods at Risk as Traders Appeal for Help
The stranded trucks are carrying highly perishable produce, raising the possibility of significant losses if the onions remain held up for much longer.
One of the affected drivers, Awudu Tiajni, described the situation as dire, saying, “We’ve been locked here for almost three days. Our goods are perishing. We are appealing to the government for help.”
Meanwhile, onion trader Alhaji Fuseini Atiiga said the dispute is also linked to disagreements over how imported onion trucks are distributed among associations in Accra.
He explained that about 52 trucks typically arrive and are allocated among trader groups, but concerns have emerged over what some see as an uneven distribution system.
According to him, the majority of the trucks are often allocated to one association, a situation Nigerian traders have challenged.
If the dispute remains unresolved, traders warn that Ghana could face tighter onion supplies and rising market prices in the coming days.
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