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Global economic crisis hits Ghana’s sex industry
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Accra, April 22, Ghanadot - The
ongoing global economic crisis is seriously affecting the
world’s oldest profession in Ghana. Although, prostitution
is illegal and frowned
upon by
a number of civil society
organizations and gender activists alike, the industry has
responded with a marketing gimmickry to
bood declining demand.
The sex industry in Ghana
has created its own stimulus
ppackage;
namely, providing rebates
rebates and gimmicks to boost trade
activities.
In Ghana, some brothels have cut prices or added free
extras while others have
introduced all-inclusive flat-rate fees.
ome
young prostitutes plying the trade at
street corners and hide-outs also
have introduced “pay for one round
and get one round free” to
make the trade attractive to
clients. These are among the marketing
strategies the sex trade has unleashed on
the market.
“Times are tough for us too”, said Maame Esi
(real name withheld), who manages one of the leading
brothels in Accra.
She told Ghanadot that revenue had dropped by 40% at her
establishment while turnover had fallen by as much as 55%.
According to her “We are definitely feeling the crisis than
other sectors of the Ghanaian economy. Clients are being
tight with their money. They are afraid to use
it on sexual satisfaction. You
can’t charge for extra any more and there is constant
pressure to further slash prices. Everybody wants fair deal.
So, special promotions are essential these days”.
“You have got to come up with creative solutions these
days”, indicated manager Tony, who requested his real name
not to be published. “We are feeling the economic crisis,
too, though business has fortunately been more or less okay
for us so far.
“Our offer might sound like it is too good to be true, but
it is real. You can eat as much as you want and have as much
sex you want”.
Manager Tony, who runs brothels cum restaurants in various
suburbs of the capital city, pointed out that the flat rate
had helped him keep about 50 women working in the locations
fully employed.
Other novel ideals being used by some brothels and
prostitutes across the two major cities of the country,
Accra and Kumasi include loyalty cards, group sex parties
and going out with clients on specials occasions.
Another brothel owner, who gave her name as Maa Adwoa, noted
that the effects of the economic crisis on the prostitution
industry are clear. “The regular customers who used to come
by two or three times a week are only coming by once or
twice a week now”.
She complained about constant police harassments, adding
this has affected the patronage of the brothel.
“Tthe girls are also complaining too, because business is
bad and I worry that it is all going to get even worse.”
Some clients of these brothels, said: “Naturally we are
feeling the pinch of the global economic crisis”. They added
that they could no longer afford their usual two or three
visits per week.
While, some prostitutes maintained that the economic crisis
has seriously affected their business, especially now that
it is rainy season, in which most people require more sexual
libidos.
A prostitute, Madam Esther (real name withheld), who plies
her with most of the finest brothels in Accra and some parts
of the country, disclosed that even if a luxury brothels
were weathering the storm because of their regular
clientele, many were struggling.
Whilst she and her colleagues might have had ten or eleven
clients per day a year ago that had fallen to five or three.
Esther worries, however, that the crisis has led to “price
dumping” in some cities as prices have fallen as low as GH¢10
per night as against GH¢30 in those good times.
“You will find a lot of customers trying to negotiate prices
down now”, said Esther.
She and others indicated that they were alarmed amateur
prostitutes; children and women with low-paid jobs as well
as some foreigners were increasingly turning to prostitution
to make ends meet.
More and more women are moonlighting into the Ghanaian
prostitution industry because they find tough to eke out a
living with their low-paid jobs, according to some
prostitutes.
Ghanadot
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