A shortage of 10-pesewa coins in Koforidua is preventing sachet water vendors from reducing prices, compelling many to maintain the retail price at 50 pesewas despite a preference to sell at 40 pesewas or lower.
Street vendors say the difficulty in obtaining small-denomination coins has become one of the most pressing challenges in their daily operations.
Although customers frequently request lower prices, sellers say they are unable to provide the correct change.
“People want to pay 40 pesewas, but we don’t get the 10-pesewa coins anywhere,” a vendor explained. “If a buyer gives you one cedi, it becomes difficult to return the right change. That is why the price remains 50 pesewas.”
The coin shortage has effectively fixed retail prices, even though wholesale prices of sachet water have remained stable.
Across various parts of the town, vendors indicated that the price per bag has not changed, despite recent utility tariff adjustments announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), which increased water tariffs by 15.92 percent and electricity tariffs by 9.86 per cent at the beginning of the year.
Retailers cited examples of brands whose prices have remained steady. Ice Pak Drinking Water is still purchased at six cedis per bag and sold at eight cedis, while Sweet Nsu continues to move from five cedis wholesale to seven cedis retail.
Other brands, including Ice Max and SirCool, have also maintained their margins, with sellers indicating that they have not adjusted prices in response to the utility hikes.
Many vendors expressed cautious relief that wholesale prices have not risen, noting that the stability has allowed them to sustain sales and ease the burden on consumers.
However, they stressed that the persistent shortage of small coins limits their ability to introduce flexible pricing, particularly for low-income customers who purchase single sachets.
Mr. Nelson Ofori, a long-time sachet water seller, said business remains relatively stable but could improve if small-denomination coins were readily available.
“Water is something everyone must buy,” he said. “If the small coins were available, many of us would reduce the price. But without change, we cannot manage the lower rate.”
Sachet water remains one of the most widely consumed products in Ghana’s towns and cities, serving as a primary source of drinking water for commuters, traders, and households.
Vendors say beyond pricing constraints, the coin shortage is also slowing down transactions during peak business hours.
They expressed hope that improved circulation of small-denomination coins would enable them to respond more effectively to consumer demand and possibly reduce prices.
