The usual hustle and bustle of Christmas in the Bolgatanga Municipality seems to be absent as business generally looks dull and the traditional Christmas "goodies" are almost non-existent on traders' stands.

Instead, the hardware market is receiving more patronage as most customers are working around the clock to put finishing touches to their new homes apparently to move in by close of the year.

This came up during a survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in the Bolgatanga Municipality in the last six days before Christmas.

It was to assess the euphoria surrounding this year’s Christmas celebration, examine the cost of food items and general goods in the aftermath of the elections, as well as gauge public opinion on this year's Christmas.

The investigations which were random questioning of traders and buyers on their perception on the Christmas festivities compared to those of the previous years, revealed slight increases in the prices of locally produced food stuff such as millet, sorghum and groundnuts and the prices of imported food stuff.

The study identified an increase in the sale of hardware products, cement and other building materials within the period, which was attributable to people’s desire to own houses instead of living in rented apartments.

Most of the respondents expressed worry about this year’s Christmas because they said they were not in the mood due to financial constraints.

In spite of people’s apparent indifference about the Christmas season, organizers of dinner parties, pic-nicks and other recreational events have put adverts in most of the radio stations in town calling on holiday makers to patronize their events.

Church events are also being organized throughout the Municipality. The Jehovah's Witness have scheduled a district convention from the 28-30 December at the Bolgatanga Girls Secondary School, while the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church has also lined up a week-long programme for the festivities, according to its Parish Priest, Canon Dennis Tong.

The Fountain Gate Chapel, the biggest charismatic church in northern Ghana, is also organizing one of the biggest crusades themed “Strategic Ambushment”, while the Catholic Church with the largest congregation has put in place a number of programmes throughout its out-stations in the Municipality.