A Ghanaian local market is one of the most vibrant, lively, and noisy places you will encounter in the country. It is a place where men and women come to buy and sell. From fresh produce like tropical fruits, meat, and vegetables to local crafts, textiles, and traditional attire, you can find anything. From food to clothes, shoes, hardware, toiletries, home decor, anything you need for your home, business, office, etc.
You’ll encounter vendors eager to sell their produce and willing to do anything to ensure that they sell. You will encounter children who will follow you throughout your trip until you give them some loose change. I always wonder where their parents are. Or bag and package sellers who would rush to you as soon as they see you holding anything that requires a bag. It’s a tough environment and being timid will just not cut it.
Some Struggles I Have When It Comes To Shopping In Local Ghanaian Markets
If you are like me, Ghanaian local market trips are extremely stressful for you for several reasons. First, I am an impulsive buyer, so even with a list and a budget, I will end up buying things I do not need. I do not know how to say “No” so when I am called by these vendors to buy, I usually just buy to make them happy. Bargaining is a skill that is very important when shopping at a Ghanaian local market. It is also a skill that I lack so I usually pay higher prices for items.
So I asked my followers to give me their best market tips. Something I can learn from, and especially something others who are like me, non-Ghanaians who are in Ghana for travel or visit, can learn from before they go to any Ghanaian local market.
Market Tips From My Followers
Clothing
- Don’t wear expensive clothes to the Ghanaian local market. If you can, please tie your hair with a scarf. Don’t bring out that bone straight
- My market gear is a boubou with a scarf and minimal jewelry.
- Please wear clothes you can walk in, be swift, 3ny3 market na wobeshy3 bodycon skirt. Wear jeans and a cap if you want to get your market baskets or bags before going to the market. Know where you usually get your particular stuff from; otherwise, you’ll be lost and just get yourself too tired.
Bargaining
- When you go to the Ghanaian local market, command the transaction. Leave if you don’t like the price; they will always call you back.
- If you can speak local languages, please do so. This isn’t the time to be bougie. AND BE POLITE!! You can get discounts, ntosoo, cooking tips, and they can direct you to other sellers with good deals.
- Command the transaction even if you don’t know what you’re doing. Your confidence alone will make a difference.
- Don’t hesitate to walk away if the price isn’t favorable. The term ” obiara wo ne customer” really applies here
- Another thing is, when you get to the Ghanaian local market, pretend you know them already. As soon as you get to them, start smiling and say *mma* na 3n3di3 wudi b3ma s3n. Trust me, automatically, they will assume you’ve been buying from them, that’s all. Believe me, and oh, make them believe you resell wai. I mostly buy around CMB, the railway line and agbognloshie. I just got 20 cedis pepper from them and you would think i bought 100 cedis
- Be polite . Banter with the women. Dress ‘low’ (fa to fom) . Bargain !
- I’m not a bargaining person so I’ll prefer to go to the market very early in the morning or later in the afternoon, around 3:30 pm so I can get the less expensive but still quality items
- Be polite and know the market women you’re buying from. Learn the local names of things if you can. If you call them by English names, it gives “sikani’ vibes. Also, know how to bargain; if you don’t like the price, walk away.
Food
- If you’re buying ripened avocados, try to cut the tip before taking it home. For items you’d like to buy in bulk, split and buy from different vendors, not just one person
- If you’re going to buy food in the market, be safe; food poisoning is real. Sometimes ask the seller what things are for, like spices or the varieties you don’t know; find out. We learn every day that that could be the ultimate twist you need for your cooking.
- Ooh, buying in bulk and in season has been a gem since last year. Buy as much as you can in season if you have a chest freezer. Freeze excess onions, buy garden eggs in season, boil and freeze tomatoes, freeze okra, and thank me later
Planning
- Plan your tour so you get the heaviest items last last time I had to leave my things with a lady to run across the market because I couldn’t carry them.
- If you’re driving, park away from the women to avoid the “tax” they’ll want to impose
- Keep your items safe, that is, your purse, handbag, phone, and your money. If they ask you, ” wob3ma me s3n? Go as low as you can if it’s 50 cedis, say 25 or even 20 .Check the expiry dates of your food items
These are wonderful tips I will start applying on my Ghanaian Local market trips. Which ones did you like and will be applying? You can view the comments directly under this post
A special Thank you to my followers for giving me these amazing market tips ( girlfoodie, Drnorellacancook, jeneseyquoi, heelstopchic, aimee.wav, sardia14, gyekyewaareviews, amoasiwa.n, dameabena, nifer1, )
