Box iron was the only option during the dumsor (erratic power supply) days when the load shedding led to many homes unable to make use of the electric irons satisfactorily. Most students and workers found it convenient to use since all you need to do is fill it with charcoal, light it up, leave it to heat and you are ready to iron.
Now that the erratic power supply is relatively stable what has happened to the box iron.
Roaming the streets of the central business district, Okaishie to be specific I spoke to some sellers who explained how the sale of the box iron has dropped since the load shedding stabilized but further explained the market is still lucrative.
According to vendors, people still purchase box iron because it is reliable and it never fails like the electric ones.
“The demand was high during the dumsor days, the business is slow now however when senior high schools reopen we do make some sales”, a trader Nichotina said.
Nana Yaw also in Accra central said they still make money out of the sale of box iron especially when “freshers” are admitted into the senior high schools.
For these traders the box iron is still in demand and that’s good.
Interestingly, most people who used the box iron during the dumsor days have forgotten about them now that power is stable. I decided to gauge the thought of people about the development, and if they will purchase box iron.
A lady who gave her name as Obiriwaa said, “Personally I haven’t purchased a box iron before but my mum bought me one when I was going to senior high school, and it really helped during the dumsor.”
For Joan, “I bought one for 50gh Cedis when the dumsor was around but after that I have been using it once in a while when the lights go off.”
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