Traders lament over poor sales in today's Sallah Market

Correspondence from the Northern Region

The strike of Coronavirus, did not only leave humanity devastated but has affected every sector of human endeavour. Not excluding trading, which is the backbone of every country's economy.

Business in the Tamale metropolis, today has reportedly been low despite the day being Sallah market which usually records high numbers of participants during this period.

According to some of the traders, the poor sales is as a result of the coronavirus outbreak which they said did not only slow down business but lead to job losses in the country.

Speaking to Emmanuel, who owns a boutique in the Abuabu Market explained that, the poor sales is as a result of the hardship in the country and that there is no money in the system.

“As for business of this year, to tell you the truth, the business is very very dull, because as of last year, we saw people coming, going out, buying something for the Sallah but because of this lockdown everything is dull, no money in the system,” he told GhanaWeb.

Alhassan is a butcher at the Abuabu Market too, he narrated that, they used to slaughter two cows in the morning, and by midday, the meat is finished and then they slaughter again, but this year, market seems dull.

“This year the way the market is going, it is not going right as usual because of the coronavirus outbreak, the way we used to come to market and do business together, we no longer do it because of the virus. We no longer meet our daily sales just because of the virus and so, we are praying to God to take the virus away," He explained.

He, however, indicated that, there were people who used to patronize their goods and because of the virus they no longer come to the market and it affects their business.

He further suggested that, at least today being Sallah market day, that it would have been good if people come to the market and buy whatever they need.

Madam Rafiya also sales rice in Abuabu Market and has told GhanaWeb that, this year Sallah Market is dull as compared to the previous years. She also pointed out the effect of the COVID-19 and the fact that Muslims won't be able to observe the Eid prayer congressionally due to the lockdown.

“The fact that there won't be congregational eid prayers, people also feel reluctant to prepare for the Sallah. last year by this time and we were busy selling and making money but this year, because of the coronavirus, the market is bad" she explains in Dagbanli.

She also pleaded with government to relax some of the lockdown so that businesses can begin again.