As Christmas draws near, the bustling markets of Koforidua in the Eastern Region, usually alive with festive energy, are eerily quiet. Traders, vendors, and shoppers alike are grappling with a slowdown that has dimmed the usual holiday spirit.
A stroll through the town reveals a stark contrast to previous years. The streets, once filled with the hum of activity, now echo with an unsettling silence. Stalls that typically overflow with colourful fabrics, vibrant decorations, and the aroma of street food now sit sparsely stocked. Shoppers, cautious with their wallets, seem content to merely window shop.
Hajia Zainab, a beverages seller at Pentoa Wala opposite Happy Home Tiles, summed it up bluntly: “It’s been tough, very tough. Business is down, and I don’t know what the rest of the weeks will bring.”
Her words echo the sentiments of countless traders hoping for a last-minute surge in sales.
Mujahida, who sells festive decorations, noted, “People are only buying necessities, like food and household essentials. No one is in the mood for decorations, gifts, or treats. It’s like they’re saving for a rainy day.
“The festive season is a make-or-break period for many businesses,” said Zakia, a local beautician. “If sales don’t pick up soon, it could be a very lean Christmas for many traders.”
Yet hope persists. Aisha, a fashion retailer, remains optimistic: “We’re just taking it one day at a time. If people don’t come to us, we will have to go to them with sales, promotions and deals that will make their eyes pop.”
For now, Koforidua’s markets await the return of festive cheer. Traders cling to hope and determination, praying that the season’s magic arrives before the Christmas bells toll.
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