Less than two weeks before the scheduled school reopening on September 25th in Togo, the government has taken measures to prevent any speculation on the prices of school supplies. Inspection agents from the Ministry of Commerce have been deployed to conduct inspections to ensure that prices in the market remain reasonable.
In the previous year, Togolese families faced exorbitant prices for school items, especially 100-page notebooks, which were sometimes sold at prohibitive rates. However, this year, wholesalers have taken the initiative to lower the prices of these items, with 100-page bundles offered at prices ranging from 1200 to 1300 CFA francs, depending on their quality.
Despite this price reduction, some retailers persisted in selling school supplies at excessively high costs, causing concern among parents. To combat this practice, the Togolese government has implemented regular on-the-ground checks to closely monitor the prices charged by retailers.
According to Talime Abe, the Director-General of Commerce, this initiative aims to ensure equitable access to affordable school supplies for all Togolese families. Inspection agents will conduct thorough price checks and take coercive measures against traders who violate the rules. These measures could include fines and the seizure of items sold at excessive prices.
