Shoppers and traders in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region are reporting a significant downturn in commercial activity, casting a shadow over this year’s Christmas celebrations.
Market centers that are typically bustling during the festive season are currently seeing very low patronage, leaving essential farm produce such as gari, beans, maize, and yam unsold. This lack of sales has left many traders financially strained, making it difficult for them to provide for their families or participate in holiday traditions.
The slump extends beyond agriculture to include retail sectors like clothing and footwear, which remain largely unattended despite traders’ efforts to slash prices to attract buyers. Business owners in the municipality have identified the ongoing local conflicts as a primary driver of the crisis, noting that the instability has disrupted traditional market cycles and discouraged outside buyers from visiting the area.
In response to the growing hardship, the local business community is calling on the government for urgent intervention. They are appealing for a restoration of peace and the implementation of targeted economic measures to support the livelihoods of farmers and traders who have been hit hardest by the combined pressure of security concerns and poor seasonal sales.
