Cost of livestock affects patronage
Livestock dealers in Kumasi experienced low patronage during the Eid-ul-Adha due to the huge increase in the price of goats, sheep and cattle.
The stretch from the Amakom Roundabout through the office of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), leading to the Central Mosque at Aboabo had a line-up of cattle and sheep for sale.
However, at the time the Daily Graphic visited some of the sales points, business was not as brisk as the dealers had hoped, or as compared to previous years.
The Feast of Sacrifice
Eid ul- Adha is the Feast of the Sacrifice, held to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Isaac) as an act of obedience and dedication to Allah (God).
In response to Ibrahim’s willingness, God provided a ram for the sacrifice, thus on each observation of Eid ul-Adha, a healthy cow, ram or sheep is sacrificed and the meat shared with loved ones as a sign of peace and harmony.
Prices affect sales
Thus during the festival and from the days leading up to the main celebration, there is brisk business in the sale of the animals.
However, last year, as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, patronage was low as Muslims marked the event at low key because the ban on religious and social gatherings, which was to help curb the spread of the virus, was still in force.
This year, though there is no ban, patronage had not been that encouraging, a situation blamed on the price of the animals.
When the Daily Graphic went round, the team found out that the prices of cattle ranged from GH¢2,000 to GH¢8,000, depending on their sizes, while sheep cost between GH¢1,000 to GH¢3,000, with the mostly preferred white giant ram being sold at GH¢3,500.
In an interview with some of the dealers, they said unlike previous years, people did not buy their livestock ahead of the day this year.
“Business has been slow. Maybe people want to close from the prayers before coming over to buy. Last year, for instance, the outbreak of the COVID-19 affected business and that may happen again this year,” Yusif Alhassan, a dealer in sheep and ram said.
Though not all may be able to purchase their livestock, the situation did not prevent Muslims from coming together to pray.
Show love at all times
In Damongo, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, joined the hundreds of Muslims, including the Savannah Regional Minister, Mr Saeed Muhazu Jibril, who converged on the Damongo town park to pray, reports Samuel Duodu
The Regional Chief Imam, Adam Mushe, led them to pray for the peace and leadership of the region and the country.
Prayers were also said for both traditional and political leaders of the region and the nation for Allah to grant them good health, and guidance to steer the affairs of the region and the country.
In his address, Chief Imam Mushe urged all Muslims to live in peace and unity with one another.
He said the celebration of Eid ul-Adha was an occasion that people demonstrated love to one another, especially the vulnerable in society.
"This is the time to show love not just to your loved ones, but all other persons," he stressed.
Bissa chief calls for peace
Addressing a gathering at his Palace in Nima to mark the festival, the Bissa Chief of Greater Accra and President, Greater Accra Council of Bissa Chiefs, Kir Mohammed Ali Dabre III, encouraged all Ghanaians to continue to live peacefully with one another, irrespective of political or religious affiliation.
“We all cannot agree on the same things at all times, and it is the beauty in divergent views that brings out the best for development.
“Democracy is a wheel for development, and not a battle ground for anarchy and confusion so no matter our divergent views or affiliations, let us all strive to live in peace and harmony,” he advised.
He also appealed to Ghanaians to continue to observe all COVID-19 safety protocol in the wake of the outbreak of the highly transmissible Delta Variant to curb its spread.