Survey on some constraints facing cooking oil sellers at selected markets in Accra

Abstract

A survey was conducted at selected markets in and around Accra to find out from cooking oil sellers the constraints they face with respect to ensuring that their oil maintains keeping qualities during handling and sale. In addition the survey also covered their sitting places, sanitation and kind of containers used to hold the oils. Data was collected from oil sellers of five markets namely Agbobloshie, Kaneshie, Mallam Atta, Kasoa and 31st December markets using a pre-tested questionnaire about their background, sales and problems they face. The results indicate that in general the oils start showing signs of spoilage after one month`s handling and storage by the sellers. 59% of the sellers had no education but they had various ways of preventing the spoilage characteristics of the oils when they occur. Some of the problems they faced regarding the sale of the oils were low profits, unsteady demand for the product and competition. 80% of the sellers needed help in the area of finance to expand their business. Up to about 90% had inappropriate sitting places; there was exposure of oils to sunlight which speeds up rancidity of the oils. They used dirty bottles / containers to store the oils. There was also the problem of adulteration of the oils and had poor hygienic practices