Gov’t Moves to Explore Local Polymers to Tackle Sachet Water Costs -

The government is shifting focus toward local production of polymers, the key raw material used in sachet water manufacturing, as part of a broader strategy to curb rising production costs and stabilise prices in the sector.

The move signals a transition from short-term price interventions to a more sustainable, industry-based solution, following the suspension of a planned price hike by sachet water producers.

Officials at the Ministry of Trade and Industry say the policy direction is aimed at reducing Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported raw materials, which has been a major driver of cost increases within the water production value chain.

A high-level meeting between the Ministry and producers is scheduled for Wednesday to address escalating input costs and agree on measures to restore stability in the market.

Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Industrial Development at the Ministry, Kofi Addo, said the government moved swiftly after being notified of the impending price adjustment.

According to him, the intervention was necessary to protect consumers while creating room for broader stakeholder engagement.

He explained that the upcoming discussions will focus on identifying the root causes of the proposed increment and building consensus across the value chain to ensure that any solution adopted is both effective and widely accepted.

Beyond immediate price concerns, the Ministry is prioritising structural reforms, particularly the development of locally sourced polymers, to insulate the industry from external shocks.

Mr. Addo disclosed that engagements are already underway with players across the industrial value chain to explore the feasibility of producing the raw materials domestically.

The initiative, he noted, aligns with the government’s wider industrialisation agenda, which seeks to strengthen local supply chains and reduce import dependency.

Authorities say efforts are also being made to fast-track key regulatory frameworks, including the Consumer Protection and Competition Bill, to enhance transparency, safeguard consumer interests, and promote fair competition within the sector.

The Ministry remains confident that a combination of local raw material development and stronger regulation will ease cost pressures and ensure price stability in the sachet water industry over the medium term.