Vendors at the University of Ghana’s Bush Canteen have expressed frustration over a prolonged semester break that has left them struggling to make ends meet.
The university has closed for the 2024/2025 Second Semester, with continuing students set to return on January 2, 2026, and freshers on January 18. This marks the second extended break of the year.
Vendors say the timing has worsened their plight, as they had just paid full rent before students vacated. The absence of distance learners, who once spent weeks on campus for lectures, has further deepened the dip in sales.
“The market has been poor since the students vacated. Distance students now come for just two days—Saturdays and Sundays. From Monday to Friday, it’s very, very poor,” one vendor told Univers Business.
Another lamented, “After collecting 100% rent from us, we’ve only been given one month to work. Now the students are gone, and we are suffering. We plead with the authorities to intervene.”
Several vendors shared similar sentiments, pointing out that while weekend visits from distance learners bring some relief, the short stays cannot sustain their businesses.
“Previously, when distance students were here for lectures, things balanced out. Now they only come on Saturdays, which is not good for business. Whether there’s patronage or not, we still have to pay our workers,” one said.
Despite the slump, some food vendors remain hopeful: “It’s not too bad—we are trying to manage. Last Saturday, distance students came in their numbers, which helped, and we hope for the same next week.”
Vendors are therefore calling on university authorities to consider their plight in future scheduling decisions.
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Story by Sandra Abena Bansah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
