News
Craze for x’mas shopping: Crowded markets, low patronage
Vendors of food and other wares associated with the Christmas celebration have expressed surprise at the low patronage despite the increased number of visitors to some of the major markets across the capital.
Four days to the celebration(Christmas), the markets are filled with various products ranging from food, clothing, livestock and many other stuff, but according to the vendors, patrons are doing more ‘window’ shopping.
The Spectator on visits to some of the markets in the capital, notably the Odawna, Makola, Accra Central Business District, New Town and others made similar observations as shoppers crowd them but did little in terms of purchases.
The paper also observed that majority of vendors, originally selling other wares have switched to product related to the festive season.
What it means is that there are a lot more clothes, food and vegetables, livestock and poultry, toys, firecrackers, drinks of different types and many others on display.
The markets have also stretched to the pedestrian pavement, leaving very narrow spaces for commuters to move about freely.
That, in addition to a few of the female vendors dressed in coloured attires to reflect the occasion, has heightened the euphoria, leaving the low sales as the only headache for the vendors.
Speaking with this paper, they sounded very optimistic, believing that sales would improve in the last few days to the yuletide.
According to them, there was the opportunity to sell beyond Christmas as the New Year celebration offers similar opportunity to trade the same wares.
They urged patrons to throng the markets to shop since prices were quite moderate and products affordable for all.
News
I funded Dr. Bawumia’s 2023 campaign in the Eastern Region– Bryan Acheampong
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bryan Acheampong has alleged that he was the main financier of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign in the Eastern Region during the party’s 2023 presidential primaries.
Addressing party members, Dr. Acheampong claimed that Dr. Bawumia did not contribute financially to his campaign in the region.
He stated that he personally covered all expenses to secure support for Dr. Bawumia.
He further alleged that during the primaries, constituency executives each received $1,500, which he funded.
Dr. Acheampong recalled a conversation with former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who, according to him, acknowledged his significant financial contributions to the NPP’s victory in the 2016 elections.
He added that in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, he spent even more on Dr. Bawumia’s campaign than he did on former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s earlier campaigns.
According to him, he has already visited 14 regions, with the Eastern Region being the last, and will continue to share his message with party supporters.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
32 brands win big at Ghana Corporate Brands Awards 2025
Thirty-two brands and corporate leaders have been honoured at the 2025 Ghana Corporate Brands Awards, held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
The event, organised by Maven Communications, recognised outstanding companies and individuals who have excelled in their industries and contributed to Ghana’s economic development.
Winners were selected after a thorough evaluation of their corporate social responsibility, customer service, product quality, market influence, and brand communication strategies.
Among the awardees were Blow Group of Companies, Baobab Microfinance Limited, Hale Pharmacy, Moove Vehicle Ghana Limited, Indo-Ghana Industries, Samatex Timber and Plywood, Bel Aqua, B5 Plus, Sonotech Medical Center, Joy Industries, Letap Packaging, Reservoir Management Group, and Rehoboth Properties Limited. Ridge Medical Center, led by Dr. Emmanuel Gyimah Amankwa, won the prestigious Outstanding CEO of the Year award.
Other award winners included Coronation Insurance, Dank Natural Healthcare Complex, HR Certification Centre, Drill Masters Africa Limited, Servacco Legacy, Classic Cristken Limited, Village-Herbs Clinic, Manbah Gas Company Limited, and PrestoDea Ghana Limited, among others.
Event Director of the Awards, Seth Joojo Danso Asante, commended government for addressing the country’s power challenges, saying it had relieved businesses of a heavy cost burden.
He, however, appealed for urgent measures to stabilise the cedi, noting that its depreciation continues to hurt companies that rely on imports.
He explained that the awards were not only to celebrate excellence but also to highlight the role of essential service providers whose impact often goes unnoticed.
Mr. Asante called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to drive national development.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ga West, Nii Sowah Nai, said the government’s proposed 24-hour economy would expand opportunities for businesses, create jobs, and support SMEs.
He revealed that the Assembly was developing a tax policy to encourage more businesses to embrace the initiative.
Senior Marketing Manager of Bel Aqua, Maxine Opoku Ababio, urged government to reduce import duties on essential raw materials to help ease the burden on manufacturers.
She also appealed for improved road infrastructure, stressing that poor roads delay distribution and increase operational costs.
“Improving the roads will help businesses run smoothly and contribute more to national development,” she said.
Background
Maven Communications, a leading corporate events and brand communications company, is the organising force behind some of Ghana’s most prestigious events, including the Ghana Business League Awards, Africa Best Business Awards, Corporate People’s Choice Awards, and the HR Summit and Awards.
Proceeds from its programmes support the Maven Foundation, which focuses on equipping students and young graduates with practical skills for future success.
By: Jacob Aggrey
