By Fatmata Binta Bah

Following the Sunday, November 26th, 2023 security breach which is now confirmed by the government as a failed coup attempt, marketers and customers have raised concerns as to the sharp increase in the price of essential commodities.

Expo Times visited and engaged some citizens and residents around Porttee the east end of Freetown to ascertain the aftermath of Sunday’s attempted coup; a petty trader explained how it has affected business in her community, noting that the price of commodities has increased dramatically.

According to the petty trader, the increase in the price of commodities is affiliated with a lack of supply, adding a lot of business owners are not coming to do business and the few that are coming are increasing the price of their commodities like oil, pepper, among others which according to her is not good to write home about. The petty trader added that this hashas affected her, thus leading them to lose customers, especially looking at the economic status of the country.

She also made mention of how the rise of commodities has a significant impact on the financial market.

Another petty trader, Madam Isata Daramy,  on the other hand said, she has been unable to buy enough foodstuffs which she had budgeted for, as she was in great shock after hearing about the increase in some foodstuffs within 24 hours, noting the rising price of commodities can directly lead to a decrease in consumer confidence and a slowdown in the economic growth of the country.

As a result, Daramy noted that consumers may adjust their spending habits, prioritize essential purchases, and reduce spending.

“The rise of commodities has a profound effect on our daily life, influencing prices, the financial market, and the environment as well” she pointed.

Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Monday, December 4th, 2023 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)