Traders record low sales of Black Stars paraphernalia

Dealers selling Black Stars paraphernalia, such as Ghana flags and jerseys, are experiencing significantly low sales just before the team's opening FIFA World Cup fixture against Panama.

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The interesting thing is that most of the people who have been a bit reluctant to buy the paraphernalia are women. For me, it is not surprising because most women do not have the heart that men have.

Traders operating at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Osu Oxford Street in Accra cited a general lack of confidence among Ghanaians in the national team as the primary reason for the sluggish demand. Many potential buyers are reportedly hesitant to purchase merchandise until they see improved performance from the Black Stars.

Jerseys are priced between GH¢120 and GH¢250, while Ghana flags cost GH¢50. Fred Kwabena, a trader at Osu Oxford Street, noted a sharp decline compared to previous World Cup tournaments, selling only about 20 jerseys daily compared to around 50 previously. He also observed that women have been particularly reluctant to buy, attributing it to a perceived lack of "heart" compared to men.

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As humans, you will always not get what you wish for. So, as a seller, I am not too bothered about the low patronage of paraphernalia, but I am optimistic that the situation will change when we win our first match.

Despite the current slow business, several traders expressed hope for a turnaround. Gema Labri, also from Osu Oxford Street, remains optimistic that sales will pick up if the Black Stars secure a victory in their opening match. Kingsley Opoku-Ware, at Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, acknowledged the public's sentiment, stating that people are understandably hesitant to buy when the team isn't playing well, especially when comparing performances with other African nations. However, Kwaku Arhin urged continued support for the team, expressing confidence that the Black Stars will perform well in the tournament.

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Even though I am a seller and I want people to come and buy the paraphernalia, I also think that no one will want to buy them when the team is not playing that well. When you look at the performance of other African countries, you can understand why Ghanaians are being hesitant to buy the paraphernalia.