Hot!
Countdown to Christmas …traders optimistic in spite of low purchasing power
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Gift-hampers-ready-for-dispatch.jpg&description=Countdown to Christmas …traders optimistic in spite of low purchasing power', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Gift-hampers-ready-for-dispatch.jpg&description=Countdown to Christmas …traders optimistic in spite of low purchasing power', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
With barely two days to Christmas, a significant number of people have stormed various market centres in Accra to make last minute purchases ahead of the long holidays.
Owing to the general economic situation, it had been predicted that the festive season may not be bubbly like previous years and that exactly seems to be the case.
While some centres were busy attending to customers, same could not be said about other places as some traders complained of low patronage.
Goods ranging from colourful outfits, gift hampers, edibles, and decorative items were displayed but the purchasing power of potential customers had fallen.
The Spectator toured some market centres in Accra where some women were dressed purposely to catch the attention of potential customers.
Some had switched from selling their usual items to dealing in products they thought would be bought quickly. The response of clients seemed unfavourable as some of them feared they may run at a loss.
One of the traders, who sold ladies’ bags, said she was expecting to make some good sales but prospective buyers were merely window shoppers and she could not differentiate the festive season from ordinary days.
Apart from the activities in Accra, our Reporter Alberto Norreti Mario reports that there has been a remarkable increase in the number of customers scrambling to buy food and various Christmas items from the various shopping centres in the Ho Municipality.
The Stadium Gate Supermarket, for instance, has pledged to commit resources and recruit people with physical disabilities (PWD) as well as other young people to perform various social responsibilities with proceeds accruing from the sales during the season.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the supermarket, Mrs Victoria Letsa said that the shopping centre was looking into the possibility of building a decent park for children, in the regional capital, Ho.
She said that customers who were flocking to the shopping centre were showing interest in Christmas cards and trees, toys and various festive gifts and decorations. “Others are also doing window shopping for now,” Mrs Letsa added.
In response to the high demand from customers, she said the shop would recruit 10 more casual workers to add to existing 90 employees, adding that the daily average of 150 customers recorded had suddenly jumped to 300.
“Our motive is not only to make profit all the time, but we are also highly concerned about the welfare of communities, and so we will continue to render humanitarian services to the less privileged, especially during the Christmas season,” she said.
By Spectator Reporter
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.
“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.
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
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.
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.
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
