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Last Tuesday�s Institute of Economics Affairs� (IEA) presidential debate and accompanying political activities have pushed up the sale of smocks and guinea fowls in the metropolis to unprecedented levels, according to some of the traders The Finder interviewed. Traders at vantage roadside points were seen busily bargaining with the numerous visitors who had flocked to the northern city to campaign and support their presidential candidates in the high-profile debate. �I have never witnessed such sales even during festivals,� a smock vendor told The Finder as he stood against a background of walls of smocks woven in the traditional colours of the various political parties, a large number being those of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Traders of yam, guinea fowl, goat and sheep said their sales have appreciated considerably. Some of the traders had put paraphernalia of the NPP and NDC on some of the livestock, which they claimed helped to boost sales even further. The other category of traders who did particularly well was those dealing in party paraphernalia. A number told The Finder they had sold hundreds of party paraphernalia within the short period, and appealed to the candidates to prolong their stay in the region. Memunatu Ibrahim, a 41-year-old trader at the Tamale Central Market, said she was able to sell close to 400 party T-shirts within the past three days. She said she moved out of the market to display the party�s paraphernalia by the roadside on the day of the debate and raked in hundreds of cedis. �Business is good. We want more of the IEA events in Tamale or at least the two major political parties frequently visiting the region to campaign.� Also, the major hotels and other accommodation facilities also reported full bookings a week to the event. Transporters also got busy ferrying party supports from one destination to the other while major restaurants and bars cheerily served dignitaries and party supporters as they sought to taste traditional food of the region. Apart from the presence of the four aspirants-President John Dramani Mahama, NDC; Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP; Dr. Abu Sakara, CPP; and Mr. Hasan Ayariga PNC-Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People�s Party (PPP) also stormed the region, scheduling his campaign to coincide with the debate, and was seen busily campaigning in the metropolis on the day. As at yesterday morning, the convoys of the NDC and NPP were still in the region busily campaigning and meeting with various interest groups, including traditional leaders.