Vendors who deal in made-in-Ghana clothes and accessories are enjoying good sales one week into the Ghana Month celebration.
According to these vendors, patronage of these items shot up, especially in the days leading up to the Independence Day anniversary on 6 March.
In recent years, the Ghana Month celebration marked in March each year has become popular following the media’s commitment to promoting Ghanaian culture, history and values through the content they produce.
Vendors of local clothes and accessories such as fugu, beads, ahenema (sandals), scarves, Kente and traditional ornaments who spoke to The Mirror said many people patronised them for “Ghana Month” themed events at work or church.
While some customers bought these items, others preferred to rent them for photoshoots or short periods of time.
The prices of hand sewn Fugu from the Northern Region range from GHC150 to GHC250 for children.
A vendor at the Makola Shopping Mall, Naa Ayeley Otu, said most of the people who patronised her wares, especially women and producers at some media houses, rented the clothes and accessories.
She said initially, she only sold the items but realised many people preferred to rent instead of buy, so she started renting last year.
“The original Kente and ornaments are very expensive, so only a few buy them for keeps.
These days, the majority of my customers rent them and return after their events.”
In addition to the rental business, one of her shop attendants spent two weeks in Kumasi last year to study how the royals dress.
She explained that this had added more value to the service they rendered as the attendant helped people use the pieces properly.
“Some of the beads are for men or women only. Also, the position and type of Kente cloth and ornaments men use differ from women so if you don’t learn this from the royals or people who know the differences, you will mislead a customer,” she explained.
Asked if she did not fear the risk of losing such expensive clothes and accessories, she said customers who wanted to rent had to make a deposit that was refundable when they returned the items.
She said in some instances, a representative from her shop followed the clients to their offices or residences or took their Ghana cards as collateral.
“Some people damage the items so if you are not careful in dealing with them, you will incur losses.
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