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Absence of ‘Fellow Ghanaians’ affecting sale of nose masks
Some nose masks sellers in the Tema West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region have complained of low sales because it has been a while the President addressed the nation on the Coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking in separate interviews with The Spectator, they claimed that the public did not seem interested in wearing the nose masks any longer.
It is, therefore, common to walk through the community and see many people walking, doing business or in vehicles without their nose masks.
One of the sellers, Madam Mercy Abena Boatemaa disclosed that sales soared anytime the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo addressed the nation on the COVID-19 situation.
The-45-year old who spends at least ten hours a day selling nose masks by the dusty road of the Adjei Kojo Market said she was introduced to the business by a friend who gave her an amount of Ghc100 as seed capital to improve her life and that of her children.
She said she had been advocating constantly that people wore their masks always especially when they were in public not because she wanted to make profit but because she felt it was important to protect oneself and his or her entire community.
She said sometimes, she felt compelled to give free nose masks to some people who passed by without wearing them as she saw such persons as a danger to everyone because one could not tell when his or her path would cross with infected people.
The native of Kumasi Tsrede said she purchased her products from the Central Business District of Accra.
Ms Boatemaa said she was unhappy that some traders sold inferior nose masks to unsuspecting members of the public describing it as an exercise that seriously compromised public health and also increased people’s chances of getting infected.
She said she had vowed to rather sell quality masks which suppressed the transmission of the virus because she felt obliged to do the society more good than harm.
She called on the public to take the safety precautions of COVID-19 but not hide behind the excuse that it was an inconvenience to wear the nose maks because these were not normal times.
Another nose mask seller, Mrs. Adjeley Lartey said some members of the public were of the view that the virus was no longer harmful so there was no point in continuing to wear the masks.
She said someone even told her that because many people had vaccinated, they were protecting those who had not taken the jab.
She said such unhealthy attituded was killing their business because she could go a whole day without even selling two boxes of the nose masks.
Ms. Lartey called on the President to continue updating the nation to let the public know that the virus was not gone as some Ghanaians thought.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Adjei Kojo.
The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed all party members and groups engaged in early presidential campaign activities to stop immediately.
The directive followed a meeting between the Council and President John Dramani Mahama on May 29, 2026, during which they discussed party unity, discipline and support for the government’s Resetting Agenda.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Council expressed concern over reports of premature presidential campaigns and related political activities by some individuals and groups within the party.
It noted that the NDC is currently focused on delivering on the mandate given to it by Ghanaians and urged members to channel their energy, resources and commitment towards supporting the government’s efforts to improve the lives of citizens.
The Council stressed that activities that could create division, distraction or unnecessary competition within the party should be avoided at this stage.
It further reminded members of Article 42 of the party’s constitution, which states that the date and venue for the election of a presidential candidate must be determined by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
According to the Council, no individual, group or interest bloc has the authority to engage in or promote any form of presidential campaign until the NEC officially announces the timetable and guidelines for presidential primaries.
It therefore directed all persons involved in such activities to cease immediately.
The directive covers campaigning, mobilisation, endorsements, publicity and any related activities aimed at promoting the presidential ambitions of prospective candidates.
The Council called on party members to remain united and focus on supporting the government’s transformational agenda and fulfilling the expectations of the Ghanaian people.
It added that the time for internal contests would come, but for now, the party’s collective responsibility is to serve the nation and ensure the successful implementation of the mandate entrusted to it.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Presidential staffer, Dr Sammy Ayeh has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing it of focusing on issues that do not address the needs of Ghanaians.
Commenting on the controversy surrounding a private family funeral of Gold board CEO, Sammy Gyamfi’s father on facebook , Dr Ayeh described attempts to politicise the event as unnecessary and a distraction from matters of national importance.
He argued that at a time when Ghana is focused on economic recovery, job creation, healthcare, education and attracting investment, the opposition should be concentrating on government policies and offering alternatives rather than discussing a private family ceremony.
According to him, the funeral was organised by a private family with relatives capable of managing their own affairs, making the political attention surrounding it unwarranted.
Dr Ayeh made the remarks while referring to President John Dramani Mahama’s recent engagement with members of the Ghanaian diaspora in London during his official working visit to the United Kingdom.
He noted that during the meeting, the President discussed Ghana’s development agenda, investment opportunities and the role of Ghanaians abroad in supporting national growth.
He indicated that Mr Mahama also highlighted measures being implemented by his administration in areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and social protection to improve the lives of citizens.
Dr Ayeh maintained that a responsible opposition party should examine such policies, question them where necessary and provide alternative solutions.
Instead, he contended that the NPP appeared more interested in what he described as “funeral politics” than issues affecting the daily lives of Ghanaians.
While acknowledging that questioning government actions is an important part of democracy, he stressed that such scrutiny must be constructive and aimed at advancing the public interest.
He further argued that opposition should be measured by the quality of ideas and alternatives presented rather than the volume of criticism.
Dr Ayeh expressed concern that the NPP had, in his view, replaced meaningful policy engagement with sensationalism and political theatrics.
He urged the party to focus on examining government programmes, proposing credible alternatives and contributing positively to national debate.
According to him, Ghanaians deserve an opposition that addresses pressing national issues and helps strengthen democratic governance.
By: Jacob Aggrey
