Kumasi residents express low expectations for Christmas this year | Social

The year 2020 has been one that would be remembered by many around the world following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that has left many economies crumbling.

Economic activities in Ghana practically came to a halt when the government implemented measures to contain the spread of the deadly disease after the country recorded its first case on March 12.

The closure of schools, markets, hotels, pubs, beaches, shopping centers and other public places that allowed the massive concentration of people caused the loss of jobs, especially in the private sector.

It is in the wake of the adverse effect of COVID-19 on the finances of the population that the Ghana News Agency (GNA) sampled the views of Ghanaians in the Central Business District of Kumasi to determine people’s expectations on the eve of Christmas.

Many of the respondents who spoke to GNA expressed low expectations for Christmas, citing the effect of COVID-19 on their businesses and the uncertainties surrounding the recently concluded general election.

These sentiments run through those who were in town for Christmas shopping, as well as merchants who hoped to make good sales on the last day before the Christmas holidays.

Mr. Okyere Darko, a businessman, said that business had been slow to force him to fire some of his workers and that those who kept their jobs received half their wages.

“I don’t think Christmas is going to be as exciting as previous years because people don’t have the purchasing power to make the season memorable,” he said.

Ms. Gloria Kankam, a merchant at the Kumasi Central Market, said that Christmas was about having fun, so she hoped that people would celebrate despite economic difficulties that were not unique to Ghana.

However, Sago Dennis, a shoe manufacturer, believed that disagreement between the two major political parties over the election results could spoil the beauty of the Christmas celebrations.

For Ms. Elizabeth Oppong, a teacher at a private school, she said that how to provide three full meals for herself and her 10-year-old daughter was a great challenge, so making this holiday season happy was a secondary matter for her.

She said they survived on her half salary, that she could barely take care of food, much less other items needed for Christmas.

Mr. Michael Menako, a former hotel worker, who was laid off as a result of COVID-19, said: “I was the breadwinner for my family of nine, but now that I lost my job, the last thing on my mind is Christmas “.

Dzifa Togbe, a lead porter at the Kejetia market, said she would not be traveling home for Christmas for the first time due to low income in recent months.