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
News
First Lady, Lordina Mahama address 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit in Dubai
The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday, June 18, addressed the prestigious 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai.
The programme held at Hilton Hotel was attended by First Ladies from about 15 African and Asian countries.
The First Lady shared insights on strengthening healthcare systems, empowering women, and celebrating the impactful partnership between Ghana and the Merck Foundation over the past 13 years.
Mrs Mahama also underscored the critical role of First Ladies as Ambassadors for the “More Than a Mother” campaign, working to break the stigma around infertility and promote gender equality.
At the Committee Meeting held on Thursday, June 19, Mrs.Lordina Mahama through her presentation showed video documentary of her varied projects aimed at impacting lives.
The documentary showcased her extensive works in Education, health and other sectors of the country.
This received applauds and commendation from her colleague First Ladies and leadership of Merck Foundation.
Expressing gratitude to the Merck Foundation, she reiterated her and the Lordina Foundation’s commitment to strengthening collaboration for enhanced initiatives in health, education, and combating social stigma across Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Dubai
News
Police arrest five suspects for robbery at Dompom in Western Region
The Western Central Regional Police Command has arrested five suspects for armed robbery at a mining site at Dompim in the Western Region.
Preliminary investigations established that five armed men attacked the mining site, robbing workers of gold concentrate amidst gunfire.
One of the suspects, Akwasi Abban, was arrested at the scene by workers at the site while the others escaped.
Suspect Akwasi Abban admitted to the robbery and mentioned the site foreman, Ebenezer Soore, as the person who provided information to the robbery syndicate.
Suspect Soore was subsequently arrested.
Three of the accomplices, Elijah Arthur alias Possible, Elisha Arthur alias Skonzy, and David Agyarko alias Big Man, were later arrested on June 2, 2025.
All the suspects have since been put before court and remanded into prison custody.
