By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
In Sierra Leone, rice is more than just a staple food—it’s a cultural cornerstone and a daily necessity for millions of families. However, the soaring price of this essential commodity has left many citizens, particularly those less privileged, struggling to make ends meet.
Last month, I visited the Tintafor market in Lungi, where I encountered traders and consumers alike grappling with the burden of rising rice prices. When I approached Mr. Abdul Rahman Kamara, a trader at the market, he informed me that a single bag of rice was selling for as much as 940 to 1,000 New Leones. Shocked by this revelation, I asked him why the price was so steep. He attributed it to the high taxes levied on traders, which inevitably get passed on to consumers.
Seeking further insight, I spoke to another trader in the same market, Maseray Kamara. She echoed similar concerns, stating that a bag of rice now costs between 950 and 1,000 New Leones. According to her, the struggling economy and lack of government subsidies have left traders with no choice but to raise their prices. “There is no support to help us boost our businesses,” she lamented.
Yesterday, during another visit to Tintafor market, I overheard two women discussing the severe impact of these escalating prices. One of them, Aminata Bangura, a primary school teacher, shared her frustration: “I went to buy a bag of rice for 960 New Leones. I have five children to care for, and on a teacher’s salary, this is simply unaffordable.”
Nearby, a petty trader named Mr. Antony voiced his own dissatisfaction with the situation. “I know this is a national issue, but I have two children to feed, and now a cup of rice costs 6 New Leones. Please, Papa government, help us—the poor people are really suffering.”
These testimonies paint a troubling picture of the hardships faced by ordinary Sierra Leoneans due to the high cost of rice. As prices continue to climb, the most vulnerable members of society are being pushed to the brink, with many unsure of how they will feed their families in the days to come.
The government must take urgent action to address this crisis. Whether through reducing taxes, providing subsidies, or finding other means to alleviate the burden on both traders and consumers, something must be done. The cries of the people are growing louder, and it is time for those in power to listen.
