In the bustling streets of Accra’s Kwame Nkrumah Circle, a modest coconut stand has an unexpected story of economic struggles. A coconut seller, speaking to The High Street Journal, has exposed the hidden costs behind one of the city’s favourite refreshments. In a candid conversation, the seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, revealed that the expense of disposing of coconut husks has become a considerable burden. “We pay not less than GH¢20 just to get rid of a wheelbarrow full of the husks,” he shared.
This seemingly minor expense has a cascading effect, impacting the price of coconuts sold throughout the city. The increasing cost of waste disposal is a challenge for many vendors. Each discarded husk adds to the overall expense, compelling sellers to adjust their prices to maintain profitability. The vendor explained, “It’s not just the coconuts themselves; it’s everything that comes with selling them. The cost of disposal is something many customers don’t see.”
This rise in operational costs has led to a noticeable increase in coconut prices, leaving some consumers puzzled and frustrated. Regular patrons who once enjoyed the refreshing treat for a modest price are now feeling the impact of these hidden costs, as the fruit now costs between GH¢6 and GH¢7.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurs also seek out coconut husks to process into charcoal briquettes, a lucrative business since the briquettes are mainly exported or sold for shisha, cooking, BBQ, and industrial boilers. There seems to be a missing link between the coconut sellers and the briquette makers, or perhaps a middleman is collecting money from the coconut sellers to dispose of the waste and then sells it to the briquette producer.
