Mixed reaction to run-off in the presidential election(11/12/08)

Business activities at the central business district of Accra are picking up steadily, shaking off the election fever that had engulfed the country.
A visit to some busy centres within the district, including the CMB area and Makola, about 10.45 a.m. yesterday revealed that the usual brisk business activities were coming back, although at a slower pace, as a few hawkers, traders and buyers were seen shopping and interacting with one another.
Most of the hawkers and traders complained about the missing Christmas fever in the country, although they were hopeful that things would normalise when the election period was over.
They told the Daily Graphic that they were worried about the delay in announcing the election results which they believed had caused the low patronage of goods.
A tomato seller at CMB, who identified herself only as Georgina, said there was no sign of Christmas as the elections had overshadowed all activities pertaining to the festivities.
"My tomatoes are not being bought because the elections have created a lot of tension which has made everyone to forget about Christmas," she said.
Christmas in the country is often characterised by brisk shopping activities, particularly in the central business district of Accra, where both wholesale and retail trading take place.
However, the uncertainties that come with elections often put people on the alert to want to pass the democratic test before looking elsewhere. Ghana faced an arduous task to prove the maturity of its democracy as many African countries, including neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, cast a slur on the ability of sub-Saharan African countries to organise successful elections.
A toy shop owner, Mr Eben Zerobabel, lamented the slow pace of business, saying the market presented a boom the same time last year, with buyers beginning their shopping as early as December 1.
“This year is different,” he said. “The elections have halted many business activities in the country,” the toy vendor added.
A rice seller, known only as Arthur, said there was low patronage, despite Monday’s Eid-ul-Adha Festival celebrated by Muslims, noting that on such occasions, “Muslims buy a lot of rice but this year our rice is almost intact”.
An onion seller, Mabel Sowah, said, “The elections have slowed the normal brisk business here at CMB. People are not buying my onions, although we are in December, the time when I look forward to food vendors buying a lot of the onions.”
Artificial wigs in Ghana are part of the fashion trend with different types and colours being introduced onto the markets for women to complement their beauty, particularly on festive occasions such as Christmas.
However, a visit to the market revealed there was low patronage of the product as intimated by Auntie Bea, a wig shop owner.
“We are in December but all the wigs I bought for the Christmas festivities have not been bought yet, I hope that after the elections everything would return to normal.”
At the Makola Market, the atmosphere was no different, as most of the shops were opened, with hawkers and buyers going about their normal businesses.
The usual brisk business was on the low side, as most of the people were seen discussing the election results.
Most of the people the Daily Graphic spoke with believed there was electoral tension, as they were surprised at the outcome of the results.
Auntie Cecilia, a lace material seller, said, “Most of the people are afraid that there could be conflict in the country if one party refuses to accept the results of the elections and this has really affected our market, although Christmas is around the corner.”