Business in Kumasi comes alive
Business activities in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, have once again resuscitated a few days after going into recession, following the defeat of the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the general elections.
Residents in the metropolis seem to have put the past and severe trauma suffered as a result of the defeat of the NPP behind, and now look set to continue their daily activities.
Uncertainties and anxieties surrounded businesses and political activities in the metropolis last week, in the heat of the intense controversies over which party was going to be declared winner of the 2008 general elections.
The once vociferous city, which happens to be the hub of the NPP support base, became virtually a “ghost town” as the electorate waited anxiously for the Electoral Commission (EC) to declare the results of the second round poll.
Business activities slowed down, and many shop owners were compelled to shut their stores in anticipation of disorderliness on the part of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters, after the official declaration of results by the Electoral Commission.
The development also affected activities in the yuletide, as many traders complained of poor market turnouts.
This business slump in the defeated party’s stronghold seems to be over, as the electorate has once again resumed normal business activities.
When The Chronicle went round the city on Monday morning to find out how residents were coping with the news of the NDC victory, and how it could possibly affect their businesses, it was discovered that even though many traders obviously did not feel happy with the outcome of the result of the election, they nevertheless seemed highly enthusiastic about their businesses.
The usual human and vehicular traffic, which often characterised the central business district of Adum and Kejetia, had already started building up, with buying and selling activities going on smoothly.
Many traders told the paper they had forgotten about the defeat, and were ready to confront the future, no matter which government was in power.
They, however, expressed the hope that the NDC would be able to deliver on its numerous promises made to the Ghanaians, and also make conditions very conducive for their businesses to thrive.
“We will adopt the wait and see attitude, and wait patiently to see if Prof. Mills can deliver on his promises,” a trader told the paper.
Meanwhile, many supporters of the ruling party have appealed to the next parliament of Ghana, to take a second look at the constitutional provision, which demands that a presidential candidate needs to secure more than fifty per cent of total votes, before winning the presidency, in order to forestall any future occurrences, such as what happened during the December 2008 elections.
Apart from arguing that the absence of the clause would have given Nana Akufo Addo victory in the first round of the elections, after the NPP flagbearer took the lead in the December 7 elections, most of them believed it would also save the country the trouble of having to dish out a colossal amount of money to organise a run-off election.
Mr. Alfred Mensah, who runs a mobile phone shop at Adum, said a review of the electoral law, to prevent second round elections, would also help incumbent governments prepare adequately before handing over power to the incoming government.
Source: The Chronicle