Orca Deco Slashes Prices Permanently as Ghana's Cedi Holds Firm, NIA Cuts Off GRA Over GH¢376m Debt

bernard boateng
Aug 6
3 min read

Ghana’s currency strength continues to shape economic narratives, with the cedi holding its ground against the dollar at ₵10.56 on the interbank market (August 6, 2025). As price pressures ease, consumer goods and key commodities are stabilizing:

Cowbell Coffee (40g): ₵4.50 (unchanged since Dec 2024)
Ghana Gold Coin (1 oz): ₵37,202.64 (Down by ₵7,201.04 from ₵44,403.68 in Nov 2024)

While global gold prices soften, the cedi’s resilience is driving major retail and policy shifts across industries.

Orca Deco Makes Price Reductions Permanent in Response to Cedi Stability

In a significant win for Ghanaian consumers, Orca Deco has announced that its recent price reductions will now be permanent. The move comes on the back of a remarkably stable cedi, which has retained strength for several consecutive months.

Jihan Kudsy, Marketing and Sales Manager at Orca Deco, explained that the decision follows the success of their “Stronger Cedi, Lower Prices” campaign launched in May 2025.

“We’ve seen remarkable stability in the cedi’s value, and we wanted to pass that benefit on to our customers in a lasting way,” Kudsy said.

Shoppers will now find the new reduced prices reflected on product tags across all Orca Deco showrooms. The company aims to offer a more transparent and simplified shopping experience, with no hidden charges at checkout.

This bold pricing strategy underscores Orca Deco’s commitment to affordability and quality in home furnishings, a decision that’s expected to influence broader retail pricing trends as Ghana’s economic indicators improve.

NIA Disconnects GRA Over GH¢376 Million Debt: Services Disrupted

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has disconnected the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from its Identity Verification Service (IVS) platform due to a staggering GH¢376 million unpaid debt.

The disconnection, effective August 5, 2025, followed months of unsuccessful attempts by the NIA to recover the outstanding amount or negotiate a payment plan. The IVS platform is crucial for real-time identity verification using the Ghana Card database, raising concerns about disruptions to services that depend on it.

NIA’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Williams Ampomah Darlas, expressed frustration over GRA's non-compliance, revealing that other institutions like ECG, the Lands Commission, and Hubtel have been accessing NIA data through the GRA in violation of existing agreements.

“You have taken our data, you are not paying what you are supposed to pay, and you are giving the data to other institutions, breaching the law with impunity,” Darlas lamented.

The NIA is calling for immediate intervention to restore services and ensure sustainable operations of this critical national infrastructure.

COPEC Threatens Legal Action Over 20% Transport Fare Hike

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) is threatening legal action against the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) over its plan to implement a 20% increase in public transport fares on August 8, 2025.

COPEC’s Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, criticised the proposed fare hike as unjustified, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for arbitrary pricing directives by other economic unions.

“The GRTCC is not reading the mood of the country. If this move is allowed, every other economic body will start issuing directives to their membership,” Amoah stated.

COPEC plans to challenge the directive in court should the fare hike proceed. Meanwhile, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), a key operator, has publicly distanced itself from the fare increase.

The GRTCC, however, defends the hike, citing the recent GH¢1.00 per litre fuel levy, escalating maintenance costs, and a lack of response to a prior 15% fare reduction as justification.

Investor’s Insight: Bottled Water Market Poised for Explosive Growth

Ghana’s at-home bottled water market is projected to hit US$525.89 million in 2025, expanding at a robust 9.22% CAGR through 2029. With consumption levels reaching 992.4 million litres, the sector presents a lucrative opportunity for investors targeting production and distribution ventures.

Rising urbanisation, health awareness, and demand for safe drinking water are key drivers of this market expansion, making it a hot spot for both local and foreign investment in the coming years.