Commercial business in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is dwindling as a result of low patronage of goods and services ahead of the Easter festivities.

Interacting with Ghana News Agency (GNA), some traders at the Takoradi market circle expressed concern about the low patronage of their goods with some describing this year as the worst.

According to them, the usual Easter euphoria has not had any impact on sales, blaming the situation on the Covid pandemic.

However, foodstuffs such as rice, oil, smoked fish, eggs, and vegetables were in high demand.

A sneaker business operator, Dominic Baiden said Easter periods in the past gave him bumper sales but the same could not be said due to the outbreak of the pandemic.

“I use to make more sales during Easter seasons because people could go out to have fun but from last year until now everything has changed due to the pandemic. Comparing last year to this year, I will say last year was better because I was able to sell over 40 sneakers a day,” he said.

Speaking to others, Mrs Margaret Quayson also said business has not been encouraging ever since Covid-19 broke out.

According to her, items such as dresses, shoes, bags, bracelets, and many others which sold faster during the previous Easter season have not been patronised this year.

The ban on beaches and nightclubs according to her a contributing factor as people most people will be indoors, therefore, would not need new outfits.

Also, a distributor of beverages, Madam Elizabeth Mensah revealed that business was just like any other day in the market even though it was the Easter season.

 “I was expecting high patronage but that has not been so due to Covid-19 but I hope things go on well in the coming days but for now, nothing is happening”, she said in frustration.

Boutique owner, Madam Rosemary Asiedu is of the belief that business would have flourished if not for the imposition of the Covid-19 restrictions.

"It is my prayer that Covid-19 leaves us very soon for things to return to normal in the years ahead,” she said together with other business operators.