Onion prices are now up in Ghana as a result of the border closure imposed by ECOWAS on Niger following a coup d’état last week.

This has affected the supply of onions from Niger, which accounts for about 70 per cent of Ghana's imports.

Onion sellers in Ghana are worried about the potential shortage and have appealed to the government to create conditions that enable large-scale onion farming in the country to avert such situations in the future.

Onions are not only a popular and versatile vegetable, but also a nutritious and beneficial one. They are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants. They may help lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.

A deficiency of onions in one's diet may lead to reduced immunity, increased inflammation, impaired blood sugar regulation, and decreased bone density. Therefore, it is important to ensure adequate consumption of onions for optimal health.

The onion sellers hope that the political situation in Niger will be resolved peacefully and that the border restrictions will be lifted soon. They also hope that the government will support them to increase their local production and reduce their dependence on imports.