The sale of coconut has taken centre stage in Kumasi, following a revelation that it can cure erectile dysfunction among men.
As a result, thousands of people are patronising coconut juice on a daily basis, hoping that their erectile problems would be solved, The Chronicle has gathered.
This paper has gathered that the tropical fruit juice, which contains vital nutrients such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, helps to improve other health-related issues.
Coconut has been captured in some medical journals as the best natural treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Among some of the medicinal benefits of coconut are strengthening of the immune system, elimination of bacteria in the urinary tract, crushing of kidney stones, and solving other health implications, hence the high demand in Kumasi.
The taste for coconut has grown so much so that people serve them at social gatherings such as wedding and funerals among others in Kumasi.
Unlike the coastal regions, where a coconut is sold for GH¢1.00, the tropical fruit, which is scientifically known as Cocos Nucifera, is sold for GH¢2.00 in Kumasi.
According to Wikipedia, given proper care and growing conditions, coconut palms produce their first fruit in six to ten years, taking15-20 years to reach peak production.
The Chronicle has gathered that hundreds of coconuts sellers are all over Kumasi, plying their trade with stationary and non-stationary joints.
The stationary joints, where the fruits are either sold on tables or push trucks, record high sales of between GH¢200 and GH¢400, while the roving vendors who sell in wheel barrows and head pans record sales of between GH¢120 and GH¢150 a day.
The Chronicle also found out that most of these coconut sellers are people from the coastal belt of Ghana, specifically from the Central and Western regions.
The price of coconut has increased in recent times. A coconut seller at the entrance of the Driver and Vehicle License Authority (DVLA) sells his coconut at GH¢2.50.
Abeiku, who sells at the Jackson Park in Kumasi, indicated that thousands of coconuts are consumed in the metropolis in a day.
A female coconut seller, who gave her name as Hannah, said the coconut business is fairly lucrative.
Kwame Tweneboa, a 48-year-old man, who plies his trade adjacent to the Appeals Court building in Kumasi, disclosed that on a good day, he sells 100 coconuts to his customers.
He stated: “I start my business from Roman Hill, through the Racecourse area, before coming here.”
According to the Abura Dunkwa native, who is a father of four, he has been selling coconuts for the past four years, and has used the business to build a house in his hometown.
Asked if he pays tax to the state, he replied that he pays a levy of GH¢70 for a year to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for the truck he uses to sell his wares, adding that the mode of payment is flexible, and one does not need to pay in full to operate.
The dark Fante-speaking-man indicated that a large part of his customers (about 90 percent) are men. He revealed that he buys his coconuts from the Afia Kobi market (Abinkyi market).
On the number of coconuts bought a day in Kumasi, Mr. Tweneboa stated that it is quite huge, giving a rough estimate of three thousand.
Emmanuel Kwame Sekyi, located at A-Life Super Market near the Asafo Interchange, who sells in a wheel barrow, told The Chronicle that the business is good, adding he sells 60 of the tropical fruits a day.
Kwame Sekyi, who hails from Abakrampa (ABK), was of the view that he was looking for a place to sell, where he would attract customers, but since he has not got one yet, he has to sell in a wheelbarrow around town.
Ishmael Sumaila, who operates from a joint at the Labour Roundabout bus stop, explained that business is good, and he sells about 150 coconuts a day.
This paper also spoke to Iddrissu Issah in Adum near Kingsway Hotel, who claims to have been in the coconut business for the last seven years, and noted that men are his top customers, revealing that he sells between 100-140 coconuts a day.
At the Afia Kobi market, The Chronicle spoke to Yaw Kennedy, a coconut agent, who indicated that the number of coconuts that come to Kumasi from ABK, Sekondi, Cape-Coast, Nzema and other places in the coastal regions, are over four million a day.
Mr. Nagumsi Nuhu, a dietician, who explained the craze for the fruit, stated that coconut juice can help treat erectile dysfunction, due to its rich electrolyte content.
He explained: “Erection is achieved as a result of the relaxation and contraction of muscles in the penis to allow blood to rush into the small veins in the penis.
“For muscles to relax or contract, there is the exchange electrolytes that carry charges across cells in the body. The same is true for the muscles in the penis.”
Mr. Nuru detailed that the most important electrolytes in the body are magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphate and chloride.
The dietician told The Chronicle that: “Coconut water is a rich source of these electrolytes especially potassium, sodium and magnesium.
“These electrolytes interact to improve circulation of blood thereby ensuring that enough blood flows into the tiny blood vessels around the penis to make it hard and stand erect.
“The electrolytes exchange charges across muscle cells in the penis to ensure that the blood vessels open up to take the increased flow of blood and help the penis sustain its stiffness for long periods of time.”
Nevertheless, the General Manager of Medicas Hospital stated that coconut juice cannot be overly a cure for erectile dysfunction.
One can take the juice if he falls short of the said nutrients, adding that banana too can also act as a substitute for coconut.
According to The Twenty.com, an American-based website, coconut water contains many minerals that are helpful for male sexual health and overall health.
It detailed: “As a matter of fact, it’s not just for men, particularly older men, but for all who drink it regularly. For men who have erectile dysfunction problem, it may be more beneficial for them to drink coconut water on a regular basis to help improve sexual function.
Aside from that, coconut water is also great for hydration. It further said, in fact, tennis player John Isner told CNN he drank coconut water during a tennis game that was considered the longest match.
In an article, Dr. Mercola mentioned on the said website that coconut water is more than just a sports drink.
In addition, there are studies that found the benefits of coconut water for improving overall health conditions, including erectile function in men. Dr. Edward Group of Global Healing Center considered coconut water a healthy drink.
A senior medical officer at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Manu, when contacted, stated that he cannot prove the erectile correction issue, but what he knows is that coconut contains oil, and oil is not good for the body.
In an interview with some avid coconut lovers, Mr. Kwadwo Amankwa told this reporter that they had a coconut tree in his house, which his father introduced to him when he was in his youthful stage, and he has since loved it. He disclosed that it has uncountable benefits, and on a good day, he takes not less than three coconuts.
Jacob Anaman explained that as a Fante from Cape-Coast, coconut has been part of his diet from infancy.
According to him, the benefits are numerous, and Ghanaians must take advantage of the fruit, which is grown on Ghanaian soil.
Adding his voice to the numerous coconut juice admirers, Mr. Benjamin Boamah stated that the juice is so nice, especially if you find yourself in a tropical area like Ghana, where the sun is always scorching.
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