News
Superstition at K’dua Market …traders reject smaller denomination
Money
In the busy markets of Koforidua, a unique tradition has taken root among some traders.
As they set up their stalls each morning, a number of these vendors refuse to accept smaller currency denominations.
It is the belief of these group of traders that starting the day with such small transactions would affect sales and not make any profit.
This superstition, shared by traders in other markets throughout the region, has become a habitual practice that influenced their customer interactions and financial management, particularly in the early hours of trading.
For these traders, whether the day would be profitable or not depends on the first transaction. If the initial transaction involved smaller denominations, they feared it would set a negative trend for the day, leading to insufficient earnings.
To avoid this perceived misfortune, they turn away customers offering smaller bills or coins, preferring to wait for those with bigger denominations.
Madam Phyllis Boateng, a trader who believes in this superstition, explained to The Spectator that while the practice might seem irrational to outsiders, she firmly believes in the spiritual implications of money.
“We don’t only engage in commercial sales; we also believe that money has spiritual effects, and your small amount can negatively affect my sales. Some customers might feel offended, but I think they can find alternative shops to buy from,” she said.
Aside the belief about the size of denominations, Madam Priscilla Zilevu, another trader, has taken additional measures to also protect herself from bad luck.
She mixes garlic and pepper with her money, believing that this would ward off negative effects on her sales.
“Sometimes the source of the money the customer is using to buy from you is not a good one and can drain you financially, so you have to protect yourself from some of these things,” she explained.
Not all traders share this belief though as Dora Appiah-Kubi, who does not believe in these, recounted her experiences with other traders who refuse small denominations for their first sales.
Even taxi drivers, she noted, sometimes refuse exact fares like GH¢4.50 when starting their day, preferring larger notes.
However, a local preacher, Pastor John Amponsah, in Koforidua, Densuano, said the belief was fascinating, emphasising that the Bible does not support such practices.
“Even though many describes money as spirit and the trader not knowing the source of it, I believe it is more about how that money was used,” he said.
Pastor Amponsah said some Christian traders adhere to this superstition and pointed out that there was no biblical basis for the position of the market women.
Instead, he advised traders to accept all kinds of denomination and pray over them, citing Proverbs 10:22: “The Blessing of the Lord maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow,” and the story of Jesus commending the woman who gave the least offering as examples to follow.
He urged traders to abandon this practice, accept all forms of currency, and place their faith in God’s provision, rather than succumbing to superstitious fears.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman
News
National Service Authority gets new Director-General
The National Service Authority (NSA) has officially welcomed a new Director-General, Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, following a brief handing-over ceremony at its headquarters on Tuesday.
The event marked the formal transfer of leadership from the outgoing Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, to Ms. Seddoh. Management and staff of the Authority attended the ceremony.
Mr. Gyamfi used the occasion to thank staff for their support during his tenure.
He encouraged them to give the same cooperation to Ms. Seddoh to ensure the continued growth and impact of the Authority.
Ms. Seddoh expressed appreciation to government for the confidence placed in her.
She promised to build on the achievements of her predecessor and called for teamwork, dedication and innovation to help the NSA deliver on its mandate to support national development.
Management of the Authority pledged their full support to the new leadership as the organisation enters its next phase.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NSA board sets up committee to supervise digital reforms
The Governing Board of the National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the inauguration of a Transition and Implementation Steering Committee (TISC) to oversee the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Board, the move follows a letter dated 17 June 2025 from the Office of the President to the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment directing the suspension of the existing deployment system, calling for an audit of its operations and instructing the design and deployment of a new digital platform.
The Board explained that the audit had been completed and had found the existing system unsatisfactory.
It indicated that the Minister had written to the Board to begin the necessary legal processes to ensure the contract for the audited system, which expired in August 2025, would not be renewed, and to take further steps toward designing and deploying a new digital platform that would guarantee transparency, security and real-time verification of service personnel postings.
It stressed that the TISC had been established to ensure a smooth and orderly transition from the current National Service Scheme digital platform to a new ICT-led system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority outlined the Committee’s mandate as overseeing the phased migration from the legacy system, directing the design and deployment of a modern digital platform, and supervising its operationalisation across core functions including personnel enrolment, postings, payroll, allowances and scheme administration.
It further noted that acting under the directives of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment and deriving authority from the NSA Board, the TISC has the power to issue instructions to NSA departments and engage external partners necessary to achieve its mandate through the Governing Board.
The Authority named Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, a member of the NSA Board and Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, as chair of the Committee.
Other members include Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Mr. Shadrack Mensah, Ms. Elorm Goh, Mr. Benjamin Freeman Kusi, Ms. Jennifer Opong, Dr. Stephan Nwolley, Mr. Koku Abotsi, Mr. Japhet Kuntu, Mr. Nabil Abubakar Hussayn and Ms. Regina Obenewa Penrose as Secretary.
The NSA Board assured the public and stakeholders of its commitment to innovation, accountability and excellence in service delivery.
It emphasised that there would be no disruption in the fulfilment of its obligations to national service personnel as outlined in the National Service Act, Act 1119 (2024), and indicated that updates on the Committee’s progress would be communicated in due course.
With the collective expertise of its members, the TISC is expected to deliver a robust and future-ready platform that will anchor the next phase of the National Service Scheme’s operations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
