Newspaper vendors bemoan decline in sales as digital media takes over

Newspaper vendors are lamenting the rapid decline of their trade, attributing the downturn to frequent newspaper reviews on broadcast media and rising production costs, which have forced publishers to increase cover prices.

For instance, the Ghanaian Times recently announced a new cover price of GH₵10.00, effective Monday, March 17.

A major newspaper distribution hub, Orion Cinema at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, sees vendors gathering every morning to collect their stock. However, sales have dwindled significantly due to the widespread availability of online news and morning reviews by media houses.

Vendors Call for Change in Newspaper Reviews

Kwame Nyame, a vendor with 45 years of experience, believes shifting newspaper reviews to the afternoon could help salvage their business.

“If the media agrees to postpone newspaper reviews to the afternoon instead of mornings, it would help us. Now, many of our clients have stopped working with us because all the newspaper content ends up on social media early in the day.

“This has severely affected our business. I used to sell about 300 copies daily, but now, even selling 50 is a challenge. The government must step in to support us,” Nyame told Citi News.

William Odame, who has been selling newspapers since 1989, cites rising production costs as another major challenge. Frequent price hikes discourage buyers, further reducing sales. To supplement his income, he now sells lotto papers alongside newspapers.

Despite declining sales, some loyal readers still prefer physical newspapers. Vendor Victoria Antwi notes that a few customers continue to buy newspapers, even after reading the news online.

“Recently, when Daily Guide raised its price to GHS 8.00, other papers followed. The Ghanaian Chronicle is now also GH₵8.00. Many of my customers have stopped buying it, but a few still prefer to purchase it regardless of having already heard the news,” she said.

Publishers Struggle Amid Rising Costs

With the cost of printing materials soaring, publishers are struggling to stay afloat. A former editor of The Ghanaian Chronicle, Christian Lartey, explained that these rising costs are the main driver behind price increases.

A check with some publishers in Accra Newtown reveals that the price of a 15 × 20-sized newspaper, which cost GH₵1.50 last year, now averages GH₵2.00.

With the Ghanaian Times leading the charge with its GH₵10.00 price, vendors fear that more publications will follow suit, worsening their already dire sales situation.