Increase in petroleum prices last week has pushed up prices of basic foodstuffs such as plantain, yam, cassava, and other local staples while house rents are also steadily moving upwards with weak regulatory body to control it.

The price of petrol (premium) was up by 23.08 per cent translating a litre of the commodity, which, hitherto, sold at Ghc2.73 per litre is now Ghc3.36 a litre. The price hike compelled Ghana's transport union to increase transport fares last Monday by 15 per cent.

A market survey by Business Day at the Central Business District of Accra showed that prices of foodstuffs had increased significantly following an increment in petroleum prices.

Two weeks ago, a bowl of local rice, which was sold at 6.00 Ghana cedis, has now increased to 7.00 Ghana cedis. A bowl of maize, which was priced at 2.00 Ghana Cedis, has also shot up to 2 Ghana cedis, 50 pesewas. Three large-size tubers of yam is sold between 12 Ghana Cedis and 15 Ghana cedis while three pieces of cassava attract 2.00 Ghana cedis.?Bambara beans are now sold at 6 Ghana Cedis; 50 pesewas a bowl as against 6.00 Ghana cedis last two weeks. Groundnut was sold at 8.Ghana Cedis 50 pesewas a bowl but now increased by 50 pesewas.

Wheat is now sold at 10.00 Ghana cedis instead of 9.00 Ghana Cedis. ?Gari is selling at 3.Ghana Cedis 50 pesewas a bowl as against 3.00 Ghana cedis while millet and white beans still maintained their prices of 3.00 Ghana Cedis and 6.00 Ghana Cedis respectively.?A maxi bag of polish rice is now being sold at 150 Ghana Cedis as against 120 Ghana cedis a fortnight ago. A bowl of sugar now sells at 8 Ghana cedis 50 pesewas as against 8 Ghana cedis.

A crate of tomatoes which was sold at 370 Ghana Cedis now sells at 400 Ghana Cedis, a mini size bowl of fresh pepper sells at 35.Ghana cedis as against 15.Ghana Cedis last month. A packet of Maggie cube now sells at 11 Ghana cedis instead of 9 Ghana 50 pesewas.?

At the livestock market, as at last two weeks, a big size local goat was 250 Ghana cedis but is now selling at 400 Ghana cedis, medium size goat also attracts a price of 150 Ghana cedis while a small size goat also sells at 200 Ghana cedis?Some market women who spoke to Business Day, said because of high prices of foodstuffs and other commodities, there was low patronage on their goods, and that had affected sales.