SOME traders within the central business district of Accra, have expressed dismay at the turn of events following the presidential run-off on December 28, 2008.
They have, therefore, appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC), to move the election period from the month of December to a different month, either before or after the Christmas festivities, to enable them do brisk business especially during the Yuletide period.
Generally, business has been picking up slowly in some markets within the central business district.
Some traders in separate interviews with the Daily Graphic said a lot of people were not in town because of the tension that had mounted during the electioneering period.
Abena Pokua, a trader at Kantamanto, said she would be very grateful if the election date was moved to a different month since the process had disorganised trading activities.
"People were afraid to come to the market because they do not know what might happen any moment, and some of my friends are saying they want the elections to be completely over before they start trading, " she said.
Mr Charles Nkansah, a trader at the Tema station lorry park said although wares of traders were being patronised, business was not as brisk as expected and expressed the hope that the electioneering period would be over for them to make some income.
He said he and his colleagues travelled to their various home towns to celebrate the Christmas festivities and upon their return, they expected business to pick up but events had not turned the way they had anticipated.
A ‘trotro’ driver at the Tema station lorry park, Kwesi Agyei, who plies the Legon-Madina road was of the view that business in the city was slow because most people had travelled to their hometowns and were now returning.
He said although the elections had slowed down trading activities, he was sure that within a few weeks business would be brisk.
At the Makola Market, one could hear the usual shouts of GH¢1 by traders who were busily going about their activities.
Meanwhile some paraded their wares on the streets and pavements in the absence of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Task Force, whose duty it was to ensure adherence to AMA bye laws on hawking and selling on the streets.
Another trader who gave her name as Kande said she was not happy with the turn of events, considering the investment she had made prior to the Christmas festivities.
Whilst some streets in the business district seemed deserted, traffic as usual has mounted in areas originally known to be traffic-prone.
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