A GNA news analysis by Nana Osei Kyeretwie

Sunyani (B/A) Dec.24, GNA - The Sunyani Municipality witnessed a brisk pre-Christmas business as shoppers rushed to buy various goods for the celebration of the yuletide.

The Sunyani town centre which serves as haven to a hosts of merchants, wholesale and retail businesses including banks, small and medium scale trading activities has within the last three days preceding the Christmas witnessed a sudden rise.

The situation appeared contrary to what prevailed last week as most traders interviewed by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) expressed feelings of hopelessness and despair, saying unlike the same period last year, sales of their wares were lowly patronised.

The biggest marketing centre in the municipality; the Bosoma market, popularly known as "Aburoo Dwom" literally translated maize market dud to its past association with maize bulk purchases or "Wednesday Market" for playing host to traders from every part of Brong Ahafo and even Kumasi in the Ashanti Region during its weekly trading activities on Wednesdays particularly became a "sea" of people yesterday.

This was because trading activities were at its peak, since being the last but one weekly market day of the year, attendance by farmers and traders generally to sell their food items, clothing, footwear, household goods and other consumables were unusually very high whilst buyers or consumers from all walks of life also poured unto the place to bargain for one item or the other for the occasion.

It was little wonder therefore that a yam seller at the market who gave her name as Sister Akos gleefully gave a superstitious twist to an answer to a question by the GNA that: "it seems that even ghosts had joined in the market today to trade with us" The GNA had asked of her impressions of the day's trading.

Mr. Victor Osei Sarfo, Operations Manager of K. Adom Limited, distributor for Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited in the Brong Ahafo Region, told the GNA that for about four days now the demand for Guinness products by retailers and wholesalers had been very high, saying that had put "great pressure on us".

On her part, Mrs. Beatrice Osborne, Manager of Osbea Enterprise, retailers of clothing, household goods and appliances said sales were encouraging, explaining that "even though sales are not as high as previous years, it is not bad".

She however observed that the delay in the payment of salaries of workers because most of them had been queuing in the banks for the past three days with the hope of making withdrawals but to no avail.

In the area of security, the Regional Police Command under its operation "Father Christmas" had deployed personnel including even those who worked in the offices to vantage points and sensitive places in the municipality to ensure safety and security of the people before, during and after the celebrations. 24 Dec.09