News
Preparations towards Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day souvenirs and other items for the occasion was quite low when The Spectator visited Accra Central and Kaneshie Markets.
Meanwhile at Tesano other gift shops had displayed a number of gift hampers for customers to purchase for their lovers.
The display of latest trends of women and men clothing, shoes and accessories were on display as well.
A number of customers were seen stocking their basket with gifts at some of the shops visited ahead of February 14.
Some traders who spoke off record said sales had been poor since the beginning of the year, and will not be surprised if the same thing happens on Valentine’s Day.
“I didn’t want to take that risk at all because things are hard and people are not willing to spend on Valentine’s Day,” a shop owner disclosed.
Regardless of the less colourful preparations for the occasion, the season is also getting its common feature of gifts ranging from perfumes, chocolates, wine, and cards, among others.
“People don’t appear to be interested in the teddy bears and other hampers they have wrapped for the celebration because when you tell them the price, they just walk away or buy toffees, chocolate and go,” some traders added.
“The system is already hard and there is no money. Some of us would be working on Wednesday so Valentine doesn’t really excite us.”
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has assured the public that Ghana has enough fuel stocks and that the country’s petroleum supply remains stable despite concerns about developments in the global energy market.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Authority said it had taken note of recent reports and public discussions about the possible impact of global energy market changes on fuel supply and prices in the country.
According to the NPA, a comprehensive review of national petroleum stock levels and supply arrangements conducted with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and other industry stakeholders shows that Ghana has adequate fuel reserves.
It stated that sufficient quantities of Petrol (PMS), Diesel (AGO), Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) are currently available to meet both current and projected national demand.
The Authority explained that the government, through the Ministry and the NPA, continues to implement measures to ensure supply reliability and maintain stability in the fuel market.
It said these measures include constant monitoring of national stock levels and close coordination with international oil trading companies, Bulk Import, Distribution and Export Companies, BOST Energies, and local refineries to ensure timely imports and steady product supply across the country.
The NPA added that it is also strengthening its strategic supply planning and price monitoring systems to prevent possible supply disruptions or price volatility that may arise from global petroleum market developments.
The Authority therefore urged the public not to panic or engage in panic buying, assuring that the country’s petroleum supply chain is functioning normally and that fuel stocks are sufficient nationwide.
It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring reliable fuel supply, transparent market operations, and the protection of consumers while keeping the public informed about any major developments.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has announced that the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, will appear before the Parliament of Ghana to address concerns about the ongoing security service recruitment process.
According to him, Members of Parliament have been receiving numerous complaints from applicants who claim they have been disqualified during the recruitment exercise.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament yesterday, Mr Dafeamekpor assured the House and the public that the Interior Minister is already taking steps to deal with the issues being raised.
He explained that the minister is expected to meet members from both the Majority and Minority sides to discuss the matter and find possible solutions.
“As we sit here, our phones are beaming with messages about disqualification,” he noted, adding that the minister is preparing to engage members of the House to address the concerns.
Mr Dafeamekpor indicated that the Minority leadership will also work with the minister to agree on a convenient time for him to meet members and provide further explanations.
He added that the minister is also planning to meet members on the Majority side to discuss the matter and find common ground on how to resolve the challenges.
The Majority Chief Whip further explained that the current recruitment exercise is a continuation of a process that started last year.
He emphasised that it will not be the last recruitment exercise, noting that discussions are ongoing to develop a more effective and forward-looking system.
Mr Dafeamekpor added that the aim is to ensure that future recruitment processes are more convenient and do not leave applicants feeling unfairly excluded.
By: Jacob Aggrey
