Mills death: NDC, NPP launch war in textile prints

Even though traders have been among the large groups of Ghanaians wailing and mourning President Mills since his death was announced last week Tuesday, the mourning has also not stopped them from making money from his death.

Traders of African print textiles in Accra admitted that sales have been good since the presidents' death. They attributed the situation to the tagging of some print designs to political parties.

One trader, Christiana Dansoaa, said the 'se asa' (It is finished!) cloth has been sold out in the whole of Makola. She said the cloth which used to be sold at GHC15 is now selling not less than GHC 36; even that, she added that the black and red colour is in short supply.

Another woman, Serwaa Agyeman said she brought 600 yards of the cloth just this week but sold out in a few days. She said she was excited about the NPP's indication to use the ATL design 'Aboa bi beka woa, efri wo ntoma mu' indicating that though it's been off the market for a while, she will make arrangements with the company in order to make money from that too.

On the streets of Makola, strips of red cloths are selling for GHC 1 a piece while other paraphernalia like earrings, necklaces and badges go for between GHC 1 and GHC 3.

This follows the decision of the NDC party to use the textile print 'se asa' for the one week and funeral of the late president. This sparked immediate interest in the cloth; attracting all NDC supporters and party sympathizers across the country to buy the cloth in anticipation of the funeral. Some government officials like the Director of Communications Koku Anhyidoho was seen in a sorrowful mood wearing the cloth.

Asked why that textile print 'se asa' was chosen by the NDC for the funeral, the National Women Organizer Anita Desooso responded by saying, 'It is finished!

She said those who consistently attacked the person of President Mills cannot do it again because he is gone and will never return. She attacked the NPP of hounding the president to his death; therefore the name of the cloth is a message to them.

However, in a quick rebuttal, a member of the NPP communication team, Adomako Berfi disclosed that the NPP has equally chosen a textile cloth named 'Aboa bo beka woa, na efri wo ntoma mu', to wit, the enemy is within; adding that the answer to the insinuation by the NDC lies in their own party.

He asked them to do introspection to identify those behind the presidents' death and stop accusing them wrongly.

Adomako Berfi identified high level officials of government some of whom he claimed even complained the president to the hospital prior to his death.

Story by Ghana/Adomonline.com/Afia Pokua