1August 1 2023: Has the grocery basket changed?

This Tuesday, 1August 1 2023, Benin celebrates the 63rd anniversary of its accession to independence. 63 years of political independence, 63 years of administrative sovereignty but the populations, generally, say they do not feel many effects of this sovereignty on their plates.

Every August 1, the Beninese sing “long live independence”. The political-administrative authorities put on ceremonial attire during official events. With honor and pride, the defense and security forces perform the military parade with fanfare. If with each celebration of August 1st the population increases, collective well-being struggles to keep up with the same pace. From 2.512.000 inhabitants in 1960 according to World Bank figures, the Beninese population is familiar with 13.000.000 in 2023. An increase of almost 500% in sixty years. The housewife's basket is empty. This is the flip side, pale grey. It contrasts with the daily life of the authorities, living in luxury and affluence. Between top and bottom, the notion of independence does not have the same connotation. If the authorities base themselves on normative indices like the anthem, the flag or the notion of state, the common people take into account their own reality. How to live or survive. "We don't feel anything. Basic necessities have increased in price. Even the gari that is produced here is expensive. What’s serious is that we don’t have the money to buy,” complains a Beninese interviewed in the streets of Cotonou. “What independence? I don't notice anything. We are unable to feed ourselves properly and we talk about independence. It’s just talk in my opinion,” adds Rémi., motorcycle taxi driver commonly called zémidjan.

Successive governments are doing their best to improve the macroeconomic situation. For several years, the country has established itself as a number 1 of cotton production in West Africa. Measures are also taken at the microeconomic level. However, the measures struggle to produce considerable effects. Recently, the regime of rupture has initiated social projects such as ARCH, Alafia or Gbessoké microcredit. The objective is to reach poor or extremely poor populations. The minimum wage has also improved, going from 40.000 at 52.000 FCFA. He who cannot satisfy his stomach is not truly free. The authorities must take this into account and work at all levels for good shared wealth.. Waiting for, happy independence day everyone

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)