Firecracker vendors have appeared at the majority of Tema's marketplaces and along some major avenues as the joyous holiday of Christmas draws near.

The Ghana News Agency conducted a market survey in certain neighborhoods in Tema and found that market vendors selling rocket crackers, fireworks, and other items had taken over the majority of the streets and were doing well.

Others were discovered at some stores, including noisemakers and bangers, which are small explosive devices primarily made to make a lot of noise, particularly in the form of a loud explosion.

Meanwhile, the price of Christmas souvenirs is going up as the festive season approaches, forcing most people to adopt alternative means for decoration, which is a characteristic of the yuletide and reducing patronage to the lowest point.

Residents within the Tema Metropolis in an interview with Ghana News Agency said they envisaged Christmas without the usual decorations because of the economic hardship the country is currently experiencing.

Madam Grace Amoah, who sells hampers at the Krakue Street Tema Community One, explained that the season’s purchases were yet to pick up, but expressed optimism that the trend would change.

“The least price of a hamper last year sold at GH$150.00 and this year it starts from GH$300.00. The prices of my hampers have doubled because of the increases in prices of items,” he said.

Mr. Ebenezer Kwabena Oboubi Appiah, a salesperson at Melcom, said the company had initiated X’mas Sales Promotion to increase patronage.

Mr. Armstrong Asamoah, a dealer in X’mas souvenirs, said Ghana’s economic situation had made the cost of living difficult, which is going to affect the merriment.

“I am waiting on God’s intervention ahead of this Yuletide. My goods are not being patronized and the little sales I make are what my family, and I depend on which is not enough,” he said.