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With barely three weeks to Christmas, some traders in the central business district of Accra are complaining of low patronage of their goods. According to one Ernestina Wiafe-Annor, a dealer in children�s wear, business this year is so slow. She further stated that normally Christmas is when children�s wear are highly patronised but this year people just come and ask of the prices and leave, claiming that the prices are too high. Ms Wiafe-Annor stated that the increment in their wares is as a result of the high import charges. She said as compared to last year, dresses for kids ranged from GH40 to GH45 but this year it ranges from GH55 to GH60. In a survey conducted by The Finder newspaper in five of the major markets (Makola, Kaneshie, Madina, Baatsona and Malata) in Accra, it was revealed that while some goods were picking up, others were not. In Makola, prices of food items were still normal. When The Finder asked why there was no increment, one trader said food price increment was determined by the availability of the food items. According to the trader, if the supply is low and the demand is high, then prices will go up. Some drink sellers also said that things were picking up for them. However, prices of rice, minerals and other canned products gained some increment. The five kg bag of rice now ranges from GH18 to GH30 depending on the brand. The other four markets also reported similar cases as at the time this report was filed. Traders are hopeful that sales will pick up when the holidays draw nearer.