Escalating civil unrests in Togo are beginning to weigh heavily on cross-border trade between Ghana and its eastern neighbour, as traders express hesitation in traveling to the country due to safety concerns.
The New Republic gathered that the usually vibrant Aflao border has seen significantly reduced human and vehicular traffic over the past week. An immigration officer who spoke anonymously confirmed, “The border is not busy as it used to be.”
The disturbances, stemming from recent political tensions and civil agitations in Togo, have sparked widespread uncertainty in the country’s major trading towns, including Lomé, a key commercial hub for Ghanaian traders.
Many of these traders cross the border daily to purchase goods ranging from rice, cooking oil, cosmetics, electronic appliances, used clothing, and household wares for resale in Ghanaian markets.
A businessman who deals in electrical appliances poured out his frustrations to this paper, explaining that the disturbances not only delay supply but also increase transport costs as drivers demand higher fares to compensate for potential risks. This, he said, will eventually reflect in consumer prices.
Economists warn that prolonged instability in Togo could further worsen Ghana’s inflation outlook, particularly as imported consumer goods from Togo form part of urban market supplies.
By Nelson Ayivor
