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Violet Fredericka Tsotsoo Padi… changing the face of natural cosmetics 

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Violet Fredericka Tsotsoo Padi

Violet Fredericka Tsotsoo Padi

Born to a former Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, it is surprising how she ended up selling shea butter (‘Nkuto’) instead of venturing into the highly sought-after legal profession.

Ms Violet Fredericka Tsotsoo Padi, affectionately called Tsotsoo or Violet by her peers, is a 30-year-old vibrant, smart, good-looking lady with oratory skills.

In 2007, in South Africa, she found herself itching uncontrollably one morning for no apparent reason.  And when all remedies proved futile, she reached out to her mother, who gave her a consignment of shea butter to use, and to her surprise that was all she needed.

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Innovation

Violet transforms shea butter into world class brand

Though she was grateful that her problem had been solved by the shea butter, she did not like the smell of it and was sure her friends did not like it either, which she found embarrassing.

As time went on, she remembered how her mother would mix the ‘nkuto’ with eucalyptus oil and use it on her when she had a cold and how the oil changed the smell of the raw shea butter. 

When she returned to Ghana, she started working on making the shea butter smell better by mixing it with any essential oil her mother had at home at the time. Little did she know that this would eventually become her source of income.

 All through her university years, Violet enjoyed her shea butter along with complements on her well-hydrated and clear skin despite the harsh Swiss winter. 

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About seven years later, she and her family had become used to using the homemade essential oil-infused shea butter privately, until an aunt of hers based in Sweden mentioned that she had a good product that she should consider making a business out of.

At this point, Violet was a Meetings & Events Executive at a 5-Star hotel in Accra working long hours and almost every day of the week in some cases, and was thinking how she would manage both activities.

Hope

Her aunt gave her a bunch of orders from some students who had heard about the special shea butter after they visited Ghana and were eager to try it.  This was where her business then called ‘Sisal Shea’ was incubated.

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Once she was convinced that the shea butter business was a good idea, Violet decided not to make ordinary shea butter. She researched the benefits of many organic and essential oils to ensure each product she made would be beneficial to the user.

In 2018, she resigned from her position at the hotel and started an events management company with her cousin while she “half-heartedly” took shea butter orders from time to time.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 came with its challenges and adverse impact on the events industry. Violet, a single mother with two children at the time, decided to put her heart and soul into the business now called ‘Shea Sentials Gh’ to make it the most sought-after skin product.

The young enterpreneur started by making various body butter [cream] options but having a daughter who seemed to struggle with hair growth, she began to delve into hair products. 

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Today, Shea Sentials Ghana has Body Butters, Hair Products, African Black Soap Paste, Face Products, Body Scrubs, a kids’ line and soon to start a complete product line for men.

Background

Violet Fredericka Tsotsoo Padi

Ms Padi was born in Accra to her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo (Rtd) and Mr Fred Sam Nii Padi (deceased).  She grew up as an only child living with her mother who was her sole caregiver and cheerleader.

Coming from a well educated background, she attended many schools including the British School of Lome. She completed her high school at Roedean School for Girls in South Africa, and finally obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in Events Management from The Swiss Hotel Management School, Leysin, Switzerland and Derby University (England) in 2013.

Future

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Violet believes everyone who wants to look and feel good with their skin and hair should have access to organic, chemical-free skin and hair care products that would enhance their beauty and self-esteem.

At the moment, she makes each product herself from production to packaging. In the long term, she sees her products becoming the most sought-after brand that is “trusted to give exactly what it says it does,” and available on every shelf globally.

As lively as she is, she enjoys trying out new remedies and looks forward to taking dermatology courses to broaden her knowledge. Until then, she remains a hardworking mother, daughter, Events Manager, and ‘Nkuto’ seller.

By Spectator Reporter

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

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“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

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The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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