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| Business activities bounce back |
9/1/2013 |
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Business activities in Accra have returned to normal, a day after the Supreme Court affirmed Mr John Dramani Mahama as the validly elected President in the 2012 elections. When the Daily Graphic toured the streets of the city yesterday, most of the places that had been quiet on Thursday had started bustling with normal activities.
The shops and stalls had opened for business. Corporate institutions, including the banks and the ministries that were deserted last Thursday had also resumed operations.
Busy marketplaces such as the central business district (CBD) that were virtually empty on Thursday were back in business, as traders were seen busily selling their merchandise.
The commercial transport business had its fair share as “trotro” and taxi drivers were spotted shouting for passengers at their respective stations.
As is normal in Accra on Friday morning, there was vehicular traffic on some major roads, while hawkers and traders that were out of sight from the roads last Thursday had returned to business.
The Atmosphere before the judgement on Thursday
An unusually quiet atmosphere, closed shops, empty streets and deserted markets were the defining features of Accra while the country awaited the landmark Supreme Court judgement on the 2012 election petition.
The fear of violence as a reaction to the pronouncement of the ruling was the cause of the empty streets, markets and closed shops.
The typical rush hour traffic that is seen in most parts of the national capital was absent.
The closure of the shops, stalls and kiosks resulted in deafening silence uncharacteristic of the CBD, known for its chaotic atmosphere occasioned by human and vehicular congestion and the host of hawkers and head porters.
Business activities are slow
Although business activities had resumed, most traders at the various markets, including Kantamanto, Kaneshie and Makola, complained that business was yet to pick up.
They attributed the slow pace of business to the purchase of bulk items, especially foodstuffs, on Wednesday, in anticipation that there would be violence after the ruling.
“I did not go to my shop on Thursday because of the fear of violence.
“However, by the grace of God everything went on peacefully and so I also have returned to my business. But the pace of buying is slow,” Madam Rita Donkor told the Daily Graphic.
At the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Market, it was observed that most of the traders, mostly hawkers, who were not on the streets on the day of the judgement had taken over the streets again as they sold their wares.
Reactions to the verdict
While most of the people described Thursday’s ruling as victory for the country, others congratulated Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on accepting the judgement.
“The victory went for President John Mahama, but it was the attitude of Nana Akufo-Addo that united the country,” a trader at the Makola Market, Madam Adwoa Kyerewa, said.
“I also like the fact that Ghanaians listened to the message of peace and, indeed, heeded the pieces of advice by our leaders and stayed away from violence,” she added.
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