Markets in Accra are gearing up for Christmas festivities as traders have flooded prominent open spaces and shops with fantasy goods, candies, fire crackers, fantasy spectacles and other seasonal accoutrements.

Other visible Christmas goods on sale include: Christmas trees, various decorations and toys.

A Ghana News Agency monitoring team at Makola Market, Tema Station Market, Tudu and the general business district of the capital observed the aggregation of enthusiastic shoppers in various places.

Many traders were, however, heard singing the quite familiar seasonal tune of: “sales are slow,” “people are not buying,” “prices are high,” “experiencing worst sales ever”.

Ms Abena Oforiwaa, a trader, said the marginal appreciation of the local currency in recent times has forced some traders to reduce the prices of their goods as we approach the Christmas.

She expressed the hope that Christmas sales will increase during the middle of December.

Mr Joseph Mensah, who deals in watches and jewelries, said trading has been okay since the appreciation of the cedi and expressed the hope that “more customers will throng the markets to buy goods on sale”.

Aunty Muni, a wig seller, expressed some worry saying she has stocked her shop with new items but the expected purchases are not forthcoming.