As Christmas approaches, the festive spirit in Accra seems subdued, with some traders lamenting over slow sales and the high cost of goods.
Speaking to AGTV news team on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, some vendors at the Tudu market shared their frustrations over economic challenges dampening the season’s cheer.
Traders experience
Auntie Ama Ghansah, a trader described the market activity as underwhelming compared to last year.
“The prices of goods are too high, and this is driving customers away. The dollar must go down for prices to stabilise,” she said.
Citing examples, she explained that items like Christmas flowers, which sold for GH¢ 80 last year, are now priced between GH¢ 120 and GH¢150. She attributed the price hike to the high dollar exchange rate at the time of importation, making both the cost price and selling price soar.
Another trader, Madam Gladys Ahin shared similar sentiments, noting that sales have been slow since she brought Christmas goods to the market a week ago.
She observed that the recent elections diverted people's focus on the festivities hence it adversely affected early shopping habits.
Madam Ahin however expressed optimism that the market will pick up now that the elections are over.
“People have so much on their minds these days, elections in a way derailed pre-Christmas shopping alongside high prices of goods making the excitement of Christmas diminished” she added.
Mrs Tawiah Amoah on her part, emphasised that Christmas goods must be sold urgently in order not to lose their value after the holidays.
“After the 31st December, these Christmas items become useless. Sometimes, even after the 25th December, people don’t want them anymore. We plead with customers to come and buy now,” she added.
Appeal
Despite the challenges, the traders expressed the hope that people will get money to purchase Christmas items so they can celebrate with their families as well as avoid losses.
For many traders, this Christmas season is shaping up to be a challenging one, with hopes pinned on last-minute shoppers to salvage the situation by buying more.
The traders also made a direct appeal to the incoming government, to ease taxes and create more market spaces to boost their businesses.
