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Price hikes during festive season

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• Christmas hamper
Some traders at the Makola market in Accra have bemoaned the continuous increase of prices of goods at the market.
According to them, the current hikes in prices have dwindled their sales, as customers are not able to purchase their wares.
Price increase during the yuletide has been going on for a long time, however, this year’s increase is nothing compared with previous years.
“Since the prices started going up all my customers complain my items are expensive when I tell them the price, so they leave to find a less expensive one which I doubt they get, and end up going home.” Auntie Mary, one of the traders told The Spectator.




Comparing market of this year with last year’s, others said last year was not as bad as this year because, they were able to sell their goods to their satisfaction and got enough money to fend for their families.
While others complain of how slow the market is, traders who sell Christmas decorations also hope that though times are hard the market will boom by next week ,since people will decorate their homes in this festive occasion.
“Times are hard, but I know it will not stop people from celebrating Christmas and by next week I know my goods will finish.” a trader said.
Though traders complain of slow market, buyers fill the market every now and then to find out the prices of goods before the usual festive season price increase starts.
Miss Janet said, “I came here to buy goods before the prices are increased but I exceeded my budget and could not even get some items because the money I brought is not enough. Christmas prices will be very high this year from the look of things.”
“The reason market is not going on well is because the prices have been increased and customers leave without purchasing the products”, Auntie Akos said.
Another trader said, “Items that were sold at GH60.00 have been increased to GH120.00 which is twice the price and my customers cannot buy.”
“No one is buying my items and the task forces are also telling me to leave where I sell my items. If I leave I will not be able to take care of my family” Mrs. Armah also lamented.
They, therefore, plead with the government to provide a place for them to sell their items in other to take care of their families.
By George Osei & Josephine Nyorkor Ntreh & Serwaa Bonsu
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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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
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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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




