Livestock traders in the Sunyani livestock market have expressed worry over the low patronage of animals ahead of this year’s Christmas festivities.
The Christmas festivities, often characterized by merry making, cooking and dining with friends and family, mostly see individuals buying animals, foodstuffs and many others as part of preparations ahead of the celebration.
However when the ABN’s reporter, Obaapa Ama Ataa visited the livestock market in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, only a few customers were there with many animals awaiting to be sold.
A trader in goats, Mr. Sylvester Aweneh, said that “people are not sure and they don’t want to celebrate yet, so the demand for animals to celebrate Christmas and make merry is not there.”
Mr. Francis Ayaaba, who deals in cattle and Sheep, said prior to the festivities, he anticipated good sales, because Christmas often brought good fortunes.
Mr. Ayaaba said, however, the story this year was completely different as business has almost come to a standstill.
He said the situation was affecting them badly as they spent large sums of monies to stock their businesses ahead of the yuletide.
Mr. Sylvester Awene, the Chairman of the Livestock Traders Association said the Ghana Cedi was unstable against most major trading currencies including; CFA, and that had led to an increase in prices of cattle, mostly imported from Burkina Faso.
Prices of animals in Sunyani livestock market ranged from GH¢300.00 to Ghc1,200.00 for goats and sheep.
The prices of cattle range from Ghc1,950 to GH¢4,300, depending on their sizes and appearance.
