A group of Minority Members of Parliament has engaged traders at the Koforidua Central Market in the Eastern Region, gathering their concerns over prevailing economic conditions ahead of the presentation of the 2027 Budget by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

The engagement, which brought together some New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers and party functionaries, provided an opportunity for traders to express their frustrations over low sales, rising operational costs, market tolls and what they described as unfulfilled government promises.

The MPs present included the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi; MP for Kade, Alexander Kwadwo Agyare; MP for Afigya Sekyere, Mavis Nkanaah Boadu; Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, alongside other NPP functionaries.

Addressing the traders, the MPs described them as critical stakeholders in the economy and urged them to speak openly about the challenges confronting their businesses.

They also questioned claims attributed to the Finance Minister that prices of goods had declined, referencing his remarks on various platforms.

The traders, however, maintained that the reduction in prices of some commodities had not translated into improved business conditions, citing a significant decline in customers' purchasing power.

Some of the market women said although prices of certain goods had come down, sales remained poor, making it increasingly difficult for them to sustain their businesses and meet financial obligations.

They disclosed that some had contracted loans to support their trading activities but were struggling to repay them because of the low turnover.

The traders also expressed disappointment over what they described as the government's failure to establish the promised Women's Development Bank, which they said could have provided financial support to women in business.

Other concerns raised included high market tolls, increased charges for market sheds and the government's alleged failure to settle outstanding payments owed to cocoa farmers and road contractors.

One of the traders, Afua Boamah, said business conditions had become increasingly challenging, contrasting the current situation with the period under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

She argued that although prices were relatively high under the previous administration, customers were still buying, unlike the current situation where traders were struggling to make sales.

Another trader warned that the market women could organise a demonstration if the authorities failed to address what he described as astronomical increases in charges for market sheds.

The traders also appealed to the government to prioritise the welfare of cocoa farmers and ensure that outstanding payments were made to them.

Speaking during the engagement, the MP for Afigya Sekyere, Mavis Nkansah Boadu, criticised the government over what she described as the gap between official economic indicators and the realities confronting ordinary Ghanaians.

She questioned the benefits of declining inflation figures if traders and households continued to struggle with the cost of living.

She also raised concerns about the high cost of education, difficulties in securing employment and the government's failure to fulfil its campaign promise of establishing a Women's Development Bank.

According to her, women, who play a central role in managing household finances and sustaining businesses, were best positioned to assess the economic conditions in the country.

She urged the traders to use the 2028 general elections to express their dissatisfaction with the government's performance.

The engagement comes ahead of the Finance Minister's presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament, on Thursday, November 12, 2028, with expectations that the government will outline measures to address the country's economic challenges and improve the livelihoods of Ghanaians.