Business activities in the Sunyani Central Business District (CBD) have seen a noticeable slowdown due to the ongoing Ramadan prayers, traders and market women have lamented.
The annual Islamic fasting period, which is marked by fasting (sawm) and communal prayers (salah), has impacted buying and selling patterns, with many shop owners reporting a decline in sales.
During a market survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), several traders expressed frustration over the dip in business.
Eric Asamoah, a salesman at a shoe shop, described this year’s Ramadan as having a “huge toll” on their sales. Similarly, Madam Diana Serwaa, a wax print dealer, stated that business has been slow since January, attributing the difficulties not only to Ramadan but also to high taxes and import duties.
“The high taxes and rising import costs are collapsing our businesses. The government must intervene to stabilize the cedi and ease our burden,” she urged.
Despite the current downturn, some traders remain hopeful. Davidoff Yeboah, a provision shop owner, believes the situation is temporary and anticipates brisk business next week, stating:
“This happens every year, but business picks up once Ramadan ends.”
While businesses await a resurgence in sales, concerns over high operational costs and economic challenges remain a key issue for market traders in Sunyani. Many are calling for government intervention to ease financial pressures and boost economic activity in the region.
