Prices of food items and other commodities have shot up in the Techiman Central Market in the Bono East Region, as the Christmas festivities set in.

During a Sompa FM market survey, the market price of commodities including food stuffs, clothing, foot wear, and other consumables had increased marginally.

Some of the market women and traders said economic activities had slowed down due to the price increase, and therefore anticipated poor sales in the festive season.

"Shopping has slowed down because prices of the wear remain unstably high", Mrs Francisca Quianoo, businesswoman engaged in male and female wear told Sompa FM, worrying that "prices of the clothes at the retail shops keep increasing and we must also increase ours to meet our profit".

She cited that Jeans trousers which used to sell between GHC150 and GHC200 were now selling between GHC250 and GHC300, while that of the long sleeve shirt was also going between GHC300 and GHC3 50 instead of GHC200 and GHC250.

A foodstuff seller at the central market, only known as Madam Adobea expressed worry that their food produce kept perishing because of the poor sales.

The price of a 50 kilogram bag of rice which used to sell as GHC70, was going for GHC150 while a bottle of cooking oil was also selling GHC45, previously it was selling at GHC35.

A bowl of onion which used to sell as GHC50 was currently pegged between GHC80 and GHC100.

Sompaonline.com/K.Peprah