Kumasi May 21, GNA – The usual rush by Muslims to buy various items in the central business district of Kumasi, ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities is totally absent this year.
This follows the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country and the subsequent banning of public gatherings and the institution of social distancing and other preventive protocols by the government and the Ghana Health Service to contain the spread of the virus.
The situation forced some traders in the business district to come out openly to lament over poor sales of their goods ahead of the festivities.
The traders, mostly in the clothes, fashion design, food and beverages sector, said the inability of Muslim families to organize outdoor events to mark the festivities, was the cause of their problems.
Mr Haruna Osman, a cloth seller at Alabar in Kumasi, told the Ghana News Agency that this year was difficult for traders, especially those who dealt in Muslim clothes and fabrics.
He said the directive by the government for Muslims to observe the festivities quietly in their homes, compelled them to relax their purchases since there would be no need for that.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 9th address on COVID-19 to the nation, advised Muslim families to observe the Eid prayers and festivities with their families at home in order to aid the government efforts against the further spread of the virus.
Mr Osman said most Muslim families saw no need to spend so much on purchasing lavish things which they would not get the opportunity to display in the public.
Maame Akua Birago, a road side vendor said, the usual hustle and bustling resulting in heavy traffic in the business district ahead of the festivities was absent because shoppers were not in town.
GNA