Accra, Dec 08, GNA– Accra’s Central Business District is gearing up for this year’s yuletide as traders begin to occupy every space, including sidewalks, with their goods-Christmas trees, assorted gift bags and wide-ranging fabrics.
Along the streets, one could easily come across food and non-food items -shoes, red hats, spectacles, wristwatches, and toys (mainly for children), all shapes and sizes of baskets (for gifts), wrappers, firecrackers, drinks, and biscuits displayed everywhere.
Apart from the gift baskets and a few local cooking oils, most of the items on display are foreign products imported into the country.
Some traders told the Ghana News Agency the demand for foreign goods was high because they were less expensive.
Last year, marketing and trading were largely done online but the “agoo, agoo” howl is back with people engaged in interpersonal (one-on-one) marketing from the street corners to the market centres.
Christmas is celebrated across the world every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
In Ghana, it is usually marked with family reunions and church activities like drama and singing of carols amid sharing of gifts – chocolates, cookies, or new wears among family and friends – “Father Christmas”.
Dishes made of rice, chicken, goat, fufu and other local staples are served on the Day.
The decoration of homes, offices, and road intersections with Christmas trees and multicolored lighting systems is a major feature of the celebration.
GNA