Ghanaians express mixed feelings ahead of New Year

Many Ghanaians remain apprehensive as the year draws to a close and the future is still uncertain, a Ghana News Agency interview in Accra on Friday reveals.

Mr James Avormey, station attendant at Tudu, a suburb of Accra, said 2012 was eventful especially with the death of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and other national personalities.

Mr Avormey said business in the transport sector was good but “we had expected more, as the intermittent fuel shortages, increment in transport fare affected our operations.

He said every Christmas, they had high patronage where people had to queue for long hours before getting a bus to transport them to their destinations, but the patronage for this year has reduced.

Mr Avormey said as we enter into the New Year, “it is my expectation that God will give me strength and protect the family and business”.

Mrs Joyce Wiredu, Administrative Manager for Accra Market Limited, said at Christmas, it is expected that businesses will boom and companies will make money to be able to celebrate with their workers and family.

She said it is the expectation that business will be good in the coming year since reports that have reached their offices from the market women have shown a huge reduction in sales as compared to previous years.

Mrs Wiredu said this year, Christmas seems to be slow but as usual with Ghanaians, they want to do last minute shopping and I believe that is why this is so.

“I wish that the year will end well with everyone as the year has been very challenging and I wish all a very prosperous New Year” she added.

Mr Daniel Sampson, a Company Driver, said even though last year’s Christmas was not so exciting, this year’s is the worst.

He said things are so expensive these days that if you want to get a Christmas present, you cannot afford it.

“I would have wished that, things become a little cheaper in the coming year so we can get our families nice Christmas presents,” he added.

Ms Rose Boateng, a Trader in Accra, said the year generally has not been a good one for her as business has been very slow and that the money to even support herself has become a problem.

“The normal Christmas euphoria is absent this year and no money to celebrate it with my family. My children are expecting a good Christmas but this might not come-off," she said.

“I pray that as we enter into the New Year business will be good and all our new year resolution should come to pass in God’s name,” she said.