I am insulted for selling pure water at 50p – Hawker

A sachet water hawker at Kwame Nkrumah Circle says colleagues insult her for selling at 50 pesewas despite recent price increases in the market.

The trader, who spoke to Joy News on Saturday while working, said she remains unfazed by the criticism, insisting her pricing strategy helps her sell faster than others charging higher rates.

According to her, maintaining the 50 pesewa price allows her to quickly clear her stock and restock multiple times a day, unlike some of her colleagues who now sell at 70 pesewas per sachet.

“They insult me for selling mine at 50pesewas per sachet water but I don’t care. This is what I want to do. At 70pesewas you will be carrying the water on your head for a long time but at this rate I sell it, the selling goes faster for me so I am not worried about what people say,” she said.

She added that while others may prioritise higher margins per sachet, her focus is on volume and quick turnover, which she believes ultimately benefits her daily earnings.

Her comments come in the wake of a recent price adjustment announced by the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP), citing rising production costs.

The association attributed the increase to global supply disruptions, particularly the rising cost of polymers used in sachet packaging.

It noted that the situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing tensions in Iran, which have impacted supply chains and driven up prices internationally.

Under the new pricing structure, the ex-factory price for a bag of 30 sachets of 500ml water is set at GH¢8, with an ex-truck price of GH¢10. NASPAWAP further indicated that the maximum retail price should not exceed GH¢15 per bag.

Despite these adjustments, the hawker insists that keeping her price at 50 pesewas gives her a competitive edge, even if it attracts criticism from others in the trade.