Francis Kokoroko and Cooper Inveen

ACCRA, Reuters – A dozen men shaped the dough into hundreds and scattered them around Accra in the morning.

Raphael Borketey (from childhood) and David Eshun (from childhood), started the bakery nearly 25 years ago. They make hundreds of loaves each day for street vendors, households, and restaurants. However, spiralling inflation may soon force the bakery to close its doors.

Borketey explained that “every month they increase flour… sugar, margarine and all the other things we use to make bread” You can’t stand if you don’t try. Then a new price increase will hit and bring you back to your knees.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused supply chain disruptions and a decline in the national currency. This led to inflation reaching its highest level since 2016. In February, the consumer price inflation reached 15.7%.

Cereals saw the highest price increases – but that was prior to the Russian invasion Ukraine last month, which further stretched the global commodities markets, especially wheat. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Ghana imports almost 25% of its wheat from Russia.

For bakeries, where sales prices have been standardized by national bakers’ associations and have not gone up since August, the inflation has proved disastrous.

To stay afloat, many have to cut portions or increase prices illegally. Bethel Brothers has had to layoff staff because of its debt.

Borketey stated that “we have made sacrifices” and that inflation could end all of them. Borketey said, “A bad month (or year) can cost you your business. It can be very difficult.

Eshun continues to set out each morning before dawn to deliver freshly baked bread to his faithful customers. He uses a rackety truck that’s held together with wire and pins.

He can’t afford to fuel these days and is constantly running out of gas.

According to Eshun, the 45-year old’s doctor states that he needs sleep.

“I’m a Ghanaian, born and raised. “I have never traveled anywhere else before.” Eshun declared, “This country is mine.” “If it is not possible for me to do it in my country, where will I go?”