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Slow sales ahead of Valentine’s Day
CHARACTERISTIC of Valentine’s Day celebrations, major streets in Accra are usually awash with items associated with the occasion—but this year, the hype is noticeably lower.
Red balloons, flowers, and gifts occupy public spaces, while shops display huge hampers draped in red and filled with a variety of products. Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14, is a global festival for expressing love, affection, and admiration, evolving from a Christian feast day honouring martyrs.
During a visit to key streets in Accra, The Spectator observed that the low excitement for the event this year is reflected in the number of items on display and the pace of sales compared to previous years.
Some market women noted that Valentine’s Day has lost its relevance in the 21st century.
“The customers are discouraging us from displaying the items because they don’t buy,” one trader revealed.
Baaba Danso, Chief Executive Officer of Love and Care Gift Shop in Accra, confirmed the trend, saying people no longer buy Teddy bears, cards, and flowers; the only items still in demand are chocolates and toffees.
According to traders, many are opting for private ways to celebrate the day, avoiding public displays or traditional gifts. Despite the slow sales ahead of the day, vendors remain hopeful that business will pick up on February 14 itself.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
