Traders, shoppers invade major streets despite price hikes

As the Christmas season approaches, some streets in Accra, particularly the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and the Central Business District, have been inundated with a spillover of traders from the markets onto sidewalks and roadways.

The usual hustle and bustle in the capital have intensified, with makeshift stalls, street vendors, and hawkers competing for space to attract festive shoppers.

At the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, the number of traders has surged, as goods such as Christmas decorations, clothing, shoes and assorted toys are displayed along pavements, with vendors calling out to passersby, hoping to makes some sales.

The usually busy streets within the markets have become congested with vehicular and pedestrian traffic as both traders and shoppers struggle for space.

Similar scenes were spotted at the Accra Business District, where narrow sidewalks and sections of major streets have been transformed into informal sales joints. 

Traders line the streets with floating items ranging from foodstuffs and essential commodities to colorful gift items, many of which cater for the holiday shopping spree. 

Some take solace in umbrellas and tarpaulins to shield their goods from the harsh weather, while others operate from open spaces under minimal shade.

Traffic flow 

The situation has significantly affected traffic flow, particularly on the busy stretch from the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange to the Central Business Centre.

Vehicles moving between the two ends now encounter frequent gridlocks as drivers contend with the limited space left by the encroachers.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, a trader at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Agnes Ofori, said in spite of the challenges of operating in crowded areas, the season provided an opportunity to make up for the slow business during the year.

“This is the best time to make good sales. People are shopping for Christmas so we have to move to where the customers are,” she added.

However, the situation has raised concerns among commuters and shop owners. Pedestrians are often forced to walk on the edges of the roads due to blocked sidewalks, increasing the risk of accidents. 

Drivers plying these routes also grapple with reduced road space, leading to traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours.

A taxi driver who operates around the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Mr Kwasi Boateng, could not hide his frustration. 

“The roads are packed. It’s not easy driving through with all these traders everywhere. Sometimes, you are afraid you might hit someone because the space is so tight. From Circle to Accra Central alone can take twice the usual time,” he said.

Assembly’s resolve 

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Nii Adjei Tawiah, acknowledged the congestion and spillover of traders but assured that long-term solutions were in progress to address the situation. 

He revealed that the assembly was collaborating with private developers to provide more structured spaces for traders.

He said the assembly was in the process of developing a new market facility at Odawna in partnership with a private developer. 

He said the project, which was expected to house about 5,000 traders, would ease the congestion significantly. 

“After the devastating fire that destroyed the Odawna Market three years ago, we’ve been working to secure investors and approvals to reconstruct the facility and we are far advanced now. The entire project is expected to be completed within three years and will include smaller and bigger shops, police posts, and sanitary facilities,” he said. 

Mr Tawiah further stated that the assembly was using a phased approach, which would ensure the relocation of traders as sections of the market were completed. 

“The first phase alone can accommodate about 1,500 to 2,000 traders, so we’ll begin moving people in stages,” he explained.

He also emphasised the assembly’s ongoing engagement with traders and their leadership to ensure the facility met their needs. 

“We’ve involved the traders throughout this process because we understand their preferences and affordability. Most of them can only operate from smaller shops, so we’re creating a mixture of smaller and big shops to cater for everyone,” he explained.

Inflation, slow market 

This year’s pre-Christmas market sales have been notably slower, reflecting the impact of the country's rising inflation, which reached 23 per cent in November 2024, the highest since May.

The surge, largely driven by food prices, has left many market vendors and buyers struggling with price hikes and reduced purchasing power.

A comparison of two major markets, Agbogbloshie in Greater Accra and Kasoa New Market in the Central Region, reveals significant price disparities for foodstuffs and livestock such as goat, chicken, and guinea fowl, as well as varying perspectives on the reasons behind these differences.

At the bustling Agbogbloshie market, vendors expressed concerns over slower-than-usual sales this holiday season. 

Auntie Agnes, a poultry seller, reported that the purchases of her broilers and layers had been moving sluggishly since early December. 

She attributed this to the aftermath of the elections, which saw many residents travelling to their hometowns to vote, leaving the capital less vibrant than usual.

"I brought these broilers and layers to the market on December 1, but sales have been slow ever since. I believe the elections are a factor because many people left Accra to vote and are likely to spend Christmas in their hometowns," she said.

Salifu Ibrahim, a goat and sheep seller, pointed to inflation as a key factor in the market slowdown. 

He attributed the decline in sales to inflation, stating that many people now preferred to buy chickens for Christmas as they were less expensive than goats and sheep.

“Prices of feed and other supplies have gone up, making it harder for us to lower prices for customers. Many people are now turning to chicken as a cheaper alternative for Christmas meals,” he said.

James Asare, another livestock seller in Accra, however, remained hopeful that the market would pick up as the holiday approached, with many customers expected to make last-minute purchases. 

He was optimistic that customers would begin patronising him on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

“In my view, I don’t see people going around doing Christmas shopping like they did last year. Nowadays, many wait until the last minute to shop for Christmas, which might explain the slow market,”

At Agbogbloshie, broilers are selling for GH¢130 to GH¢150, layers for GH¢100 to GH¢120, and goats range between GH¢1,000 and GH¢1,200, depending on the size. 

A tale of price increases, optimism

At Kasoa New Market, poultry and livestock sellers reported similar challenges but with a slightly different outlook. 

Akoko Wura (name withheld) from Kasoa New Market believed it was still too early to conclude that the market was slow but rather expected a significant boost in sales, starting from December 24.

She said there was an increase in poultry prices compared to last year,  when broilers sold for GH¢120 and layers went for GH¢100. 

While the elections have not impacted the market, she observed that people were yet to begin their shopping in earnest.

"Broiler prices are currently at GH¢160, while layers go for GH¢150. We expect a major market pickup by December 24, driven by factors other than the elections.”

Sherif Mohammed, another poultry farmer, agreed that pre-Christmas sales this year were slower compared to last year. 

He attributed the decline to inflation, which had compelled him to raise prices. Currently, his broilers sell for GH¢150, layers for GH¢120, and guinea fowl for GH¢300. 

Despite the price adjustments, he remained optimistic that sales would improve as Christmas drew closer.

"Inflation has forced us to increase the prices of the livestock we sell because the cost of animal feed has risen significantly. To sustain our operations, we had to adjust our prices. However, we believe the market isn't slow because of this, but rather because things are generally more expensive this year compared to the last Christmas," he said.

Price disparities

The price differences between Agbogbloshie and Kasoa reflect the broader challenges of inflation and logistics in the country. 

Vendors at Agbogbloshie, closer to the urban centre, face higher operational costs, including transportation and storage, which they pass on to customers. In contrast, sellers at Kasoa benefit from proximity to farming communities, allowing for slightly lower prices.

With food inflation at 25.9 per cent and non-food inflation also contributing to the cost of living, vendors across both markets are calling for government intervention to stabilise prices and reduce the financial burden on consumers. 

As Christmas draws near, many remain hopeful that the festive spirit will overcome the economic challenges and bring the much-needed boost to sales.