As parents, pupils, and guardians flock to the area to buy supplies in time for the start of the new school week, there is a growing demand for educational materials in Accra's Central Business District.

School bags, lunchboxes, pens, pencils, books, uniforms, and other educational supplies are items that receive a lot of consumer interest.

A few private elementary schools have already returned, but starting on Tuesday, January 10, this year, it is anticipated that all public schools and the remaining private institutions will be in session.

Whereas there are many trunks, chop boxes, and mattresses on display, their demand is yet to pick up because second-cycle schools are yet to reopen, particularly, for freshers.

Survey

However, the Daily Graphic team that conducted the market survey observed that the prices of items were as they were before the Christmas break.

Education-related goods, such a pack of pencils, which were sold for GH10 with GH12 as the lowest price, now cost GH15.

Exercise books, which once cost GHC 2, are now selling for GHC 5, and a standard notebook, which once cost GHC 15, is now GHC 18, at the very least.

A Teacher's Notebook now costs roughly GH70 instead of GH25, which was previously the price.

Given that the nation recently celebrated Christmas with all of its associated high expenses, all of the stationery, materials, and provisions vendors reported strong customer demand.

A pack of three pairs of socks which used to sell at GH¢5 is now selling at GH¢10.

Shoes hover around GH¢90 and above, depending on their quality and sizes.

Sampled views

A customer, who gave his name as Walter, said the school uniform he wanted to buy for his ward was expensive and wondered how many parents could afford it.

A parent, Araba Arthur, muttered about the cost of uniform per yard which was previously GH¢35 but was currently going for GH¢75.

“There’s nothing we can do now but to cut down on the number of items we intend to purchase in order to buy the uniforms whose prices are fixed, “she said.

A school uniform seller, Tanko, said: ”Sales are a bit encouraging as customers troop in and out to buy from my shop”.

Others

A shoe seller, Esther Asare, said last year’s sales were better than this year’s, including the past festive season. “Some customers wish to buy many of such items but are compelled to make a choice due to their high prices,“ she said.

According to her, the appreciation of the cedi against the dollar did not have any positive effect on her sales, she added.

A bookshop owner, Anaefi Daniel, told the Daily Graphic that “by God’s grace business is booming as you can see”.

Source: Graphiconline