Josiah
From reduced taxes to lower operational costs, dawn trading has become a crucial strategy for many, transforming Accra’s bustling markets into vital economic hubs long before sunrise.
Conversations with traders and buyers involved in dawn transactions highlight the significant impact of early trading on local economies.
Alexander Obeng, who moved from Prestea in the Western Region to Accra seeking better opportunities, has been engaging in dawn trading for over three years. He told Citi Business News that his livelihood depends on this early trading.
“I arrive early because some of my customers are retailers in various markets who also operate in the mornings. Coming in early ensures we can meet their needs promptly. This is what has been sustaining us,” he said. “We don’t arrange any form of payment using this spot. Transactions are conducted informally,” he added.
Further discussions with other traders and buyers highlighted the reasons behind dawn trading’s growing popularity and revealed the challenges participants face in this burgeoning sector.
Emerkson, originally from Nigeria but residing in Ghana for over a decade, turned to dawn trading due to the high cost of shops in the business district.
“The last time I checked, the price of a shop around this area was GHS 1500, and even then, the owners demanded a five-year advance. My capital isn’t enough to afford that,” he noted. David Akakpo, who came to purchase footwear for retail, mentioned that he came early to beat the traffic.
Source:Omanghana.com
