Most shops in the Central Business District of Accra remained closed at mid-day on Thursday, following torrential rains that hit the city from Wednesday evening and continued to the early hours of Thursday.

The usual heavy traffic around the area during the day was absent with just a few commercial vehicles seen dropping off and picking the few passengers around.

The scenario was thus close that of a Sunday rather than the usual brisk hustle and bustle typical of a Thursday afternoon.

A commuter told the Ghana News Agency that the situation could be attributed to at the call of the Accra City Mayor for people, especially school children, and others who had no urgent business to transact in the area to stay at home to remain safe.

Those seen doing brisk business were mainly umbrella, rain coat, shower cap and perishable food-stuff sellers, who also told the GNA that the situation would obviously affect sales.

However, major retail shops such as Melcolm and Woodin, as well as the commercial banks - Barclays, Standard Chartered and GCB Bank, were open for business.