How the sale of NPP paraphernalia overshadows Xmas goods
It is 1.30pm on December 13 and business is brisk as usual at the Makola Market, the biggest retail space in the Accra Metropolis. On the shoulders of the road are hawkers and retailers, jostling with vehicles and pedestrians for customers to patronise their wares.
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On display is a variety of wares – from foodstuffs to clothing, make-up products and construction implements – that men and women are hoping to exchange for money before the sun sets.
At the far end of the road is Ms Sarah Micah, a middle-aged trader, clad in the paraphernalia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
As a retailer of the party’s paraphernalia, Ms Micah was heartily draped in the NPP’s colours, right from head to toe.
With three NPP-coloured hats on her head, scarf on her right hand and bracelets dangling on her wrists, she was pacing from one place to another, catching the attention of party supporters, who hurriedly parted with one thing or another to loudly participate in the celebration of their party’s victory.
Since the NPP was announced winner of the December 7 general elections, its supporters have resorted to various ways of expressing their happiness for what can best be described as a sweet surprise.
While that comes at a cost to the supporters, it is a form of business to many traders, one of which is Ms Micah.
A resident of Kasoa in the Central Region, Ms Micah was retailing cooking utensils prior to December 9, when the Electoral Commission announced the NPP’s flag bearer for the 2016 general elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, winner of the polls.
To help capitalise on the euphoria that the victory brought to party supporters, she quickly switched to the retail of party paraphernalia, which is more lucrative than her previous business.
On a blessed day, she earns between GH¢500 and GH¢800 selling the NPP paraphernalia alone, much higher than the GH¢250 that she earned from the retail of cooking utensils.
“I have so far made more money than I have invested,” she told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS on December 13.
“I earn about GH¢500 to GH¢800 on a daily basis unlike when I used to sell the cooking utensils,” she said.
Ms Micah is not alone. She is one of the dozens of NPP loyalists and traders who are cashing in on the NPP’s victory.
One of these is Auntie Naana, who trades in NPP-coloured men briefs.
A piece of an NPP mens briefs was selling at GH¢5.
She explained that demand for the boxers were high, resulting in shortages in some instances.
Xmas on the back burner
After staying in opposition for eight years, a victory was expected to generate the excitement that it is generating among members of the party.
But while that excitement is good for traders such as Ms Micah, it could be detrimental to Christmas shoppers, given that such traders have since placed retail of Xmas wares on the back burner.
At the market, the GRAPHIC BUSINESS realised that the vibrant sale of Christmas goods, which normally charaterise pre-Xmas sales in all parts of the country, was absent.
While some retailers had limited Xmas goods on display, some had nothing, with the majority stocking their shelves with NPP paraphernalia.
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Checks by the paper with people in the trade indicated that the majority of the traders and shop owners had diverted into the selling of NPP paraphernalia.
After lamenting over the low patronage of their goods and services, traders turned to the sale of the paraphernalia to help make a living.
The overwhelming sales difference between the already existing goods and the paraphernalia has gradually shifted the focus of the traders from the yearly trade in Christmas wares to trade in paraphernalia.
A visit to some shops in the Makola market in Accra showed Christmas wares on display in addition to the NPP paraphernalia close to the goods.
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Some traders had, however, completely eliminated the Christmas wares, explaining that the paraphernalia business was better than normal goods.
Like many traders, Ms Micah said she would continue retailing the NPP paraphernalia until the President-elect is sworn into office on January 7, next year.
Prices shoot up
The paper also realised that prices of the paraphernalia had suddenly shot up over the past few days, when the NPP’s victory was announced.
The NPP paraphernalia, which are designed and imported from China, are sold to these traders at a higher price after the declaration.
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According to the traders, the party’s paraphernalia had become a much sought after commodity, causing its wholesale price to rise.
Sarah Micah further explained that a small flag, which was selling at GH¢2 had now been increased to GH¢5 after the declaration of the results.
A cap, which was sold at GH¢5 is now selling at GH¢10. The price of a scarf had also increased from GH¢10 to GH¢20, she added.
X’mas sales so far
While dealers in NPP paraphernalia rejoiced over the rising demands for their wares, those dealing in Xmas goods were gnashing.
Auntie Julie, who trades in Xmas products, said patronage of her products was low.
“This year, the Christmas market has not started. Even before the elections, sales were low but after the elections, sales have increased a bit,” she said.
As a result, she said she had switched from retailing the Xmas products to NPP wares with the hope that she can cash in on the victory.