Nkoranza (B/A) Jan. 26, GNA - Mr. Kofi Owusu, a 47-year-old farmer has expressed concern about arbitrary increases in the prices of goods and transport fares in Nkoranza district in Brong Ahafo. He complained to Ghana News Agency he suspected the perpetrators indulged in the practice in anticipation of a price hike in this year's budget statement.

A bag of cement, which was sold at 54,000 cedis now costs 60,000 cedis, whilst some taxi drivers are charging 5,000 cedis for a trip to any part of Nkoranza instead of 3,000 cedis. Mr. Owusu stated: "I am afraid if the budget is read later in the year and there is an official hike in the prices of goods, these business people would again increase the prices of their goods". He stressed that if such practices were allowed to persist, the ordinary individual would be greatly affected and would not see any improvement in their living standards.