Trading activities at the popular Sefwi Asawinso Thursday market have been hit by unusually poor patronage today, with traders attributing the low turnout to the tragic incident that rocked the area on Wednesday.
The Sefwi Asawinso market, one of the biggest weekly markets in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality and a major commercial hub for farmers and traders across the Western North Region, is usually filled to capacity every Thursday. But this morning, the story was different.
When De Beat News visited the market, many stalls were still loaded with goods with no buyers, while some traders were seen sitting idle, lamenting over the situation.
Speaking to De Beat News reporter Teacher Teepee, some traders said they arrived as early as 5am with fresh farm produce, foodstuffs, clothing and other wares, but hours after the market opened, patronage remained extremely low.
"Today's market is very slow. We are not getting customers at all. Since morning, I have not sold even GHS 50 worth of goods. We believe what happened yesterday is making people stay at home," one distraught vegetable seller told our reporter.
Another trader who deals in provisions said transportation challenges and fear among buyers from neighbouring communities have also contributed to the poor sales.
The Wednesday tragedy, which has thrown the entire Asawinso community into a state of mourning, has cast a dark shadow over the commercial activities. Many residents are said to be staying indoors to commiserate with affected families, while some visitors from nearby towns have postponed their market trips.
Traders say the low patronage, if it continues, will result in huge post-harvest losses, especially for those selling perishable goods like plantain, tomatoes, garden eggs and palm fruits.
They are therefore appealing to the general public and buyers from Sefwi Wiawso, Bibiani, Sefwi Bekwai and surrounding communities to come out and support the market despite the sorrowful mood.
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