Ho, Dec. 24, GNA - With less than 24 hours to Christmas, indications in the Ho Municipality are that, market activities are not commensurate with the period just before the yuletide. Shops bedecked with the usual red and green colours associated with the celebrations are few, suggesting Christmas in Ho could be dull. There is some above average activity in the few supermarkets in the municipality, with clients buying mainly rice, vegetable oil, wines, soft drinks and sweets.

There is some evidence of Christmas at the Central Market though, as people jostled around but according to traders "buying very little". Noticeably, Gifts Shops are on a holiday with no activity, some have closed "for lack of market" while surviving ones have few items which appeared shelf worn.

A Salesgirl at a Communication and Business Centre in Central Ho, who wants to remain anonymous, told the GNA that the market this year had been the worst since she was engaged three years ago. She said it was boring to sit all day with very few customers even calling to look round, claiming she sold only three cards within the last three days-supposed peak periods for Christmas sales, as against 43 cards within the same period three years ago.

Ms Benedicta Kouko, a teacher who the GNA spotted at a gift shop said the situation could be because of the impending elections and also because many government workers were yet to receive their salaries.