News
‘Tis the red season: Celebrating love on Valentine’s Day
February is often referred to as the ‘Month of Love,’ a time when couples, friends, and loved ones take the opportunity to celebrate and appreciate one another.
Among the many days in February, Valentine’s Day – February 14 – stands out as the most recognised day for love and affection worldwide. Though it is not an official public holiday, it is widely celebrated in workplaces, schools, churches, and various social gatherings.
From exchanging gifts, planning romantic surprises to making heartfelt gestures, Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder that love is meant to be cherished and expressed in countless ways.
Origins and significance of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day has deep historical roots dating back to ancient Rome. It is widely believed that the day was named after Saint Valentine, a Roman priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s ban on marriages and secretly wed young couples. His defiance led to his imprisonment and eventual execution on February 14, around the year 269 AD.
While the origins of the day remain debatable, the tradition of celebrating love on this day gained popularity over centuries.
By the middle ages, it became associated with courtly love, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, handwritten love letters, poetry, and small tokens of affection became customary.
Today, Valentine’s Day is a global celebration marked by expressions of romance, friendship, and appreciation.
Creative ways to celebrate love
For many, chocolates and flowers are the go-to gifts on Valentine’s Day, with some referring to it as ‘Chocolate Day’ due to the overwhelming demand for sweet treats.
However, love can be expressed in many ways than just gifting chocolates.
People now plan elaborate surprises, book romantic getaways, and host intimate dinner dates. Some hire professional event planners to decorate spaces such as hotel rooms, beaches, or private restaurants with stunning red roses, candles, balloons, and soft music to set the mood for a memorable evening.
Others opt for personalised experiences, such as handwritten love letters or poetry for a more sentimental touch, surprise picnics at scenic locations, ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) gift boxes filled with personal mementos, perfumes, books, and custom jewelry while others try a few adventure dates, such as boat rides, road trips, or even skydiving for the thrill-seekers.
Even for those who are single, Valentine’s Day offers a chance to celebrate self-love and friendships.
Many individuals host self-care spa days, plan solo trips, or organise “Galentine’s” and “Palentine’s” parties to celebrate friendships and enjoy the day in a unique way.
Business
Valentine’s Day is not just an occasion for lovebirds – it is also a booming season for businesses. Retailers, online vendors, and local markets anticipate increased sales, with thousands of products being marketed as perfect gifts for the occasion.
Some of the most in-demand Valentine’s gifts include flower bouquets, fashion accessories such as handbags, perfumes, jewelry, watches, and shoes, personalised items like engraved bracelets, photo books, and couple’s portraits and themed Valentine’s cakes.
Restaurants and event centres capitalise on the season by offering special Valentine’s Day packages, couples’ dinner discounts, and themed entertainment nights.
For small business owners, the Valentine’s season is an opportunity to maximise profits, market unique products, and offer exclusive deals to attract more customers.
One of the beautiful aspects of Valentine’s Day is that it is not just for couples. It is a time to celebrate all forms of love – romantic, platonic, and familial. Whether it’s expressing gratitude to parents, surprising a close friend, or simply practising self-love, there is always a way to be part of the celebration.
Valentine’s Day is more than just a commercialised event; it is a time to celebrate the essence of love in all its forms. Whether it’s through a heartfelt gift, a simple message, a surprise dinner, or even just quality time, the goal is to make someone feel truly special.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
By Georgina Boadiwaa Ntim
News
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has spelt out his vision for Ghana should he be elected President in 2028.
Speaking after filing his nomination papers at the party’s headquarters in Accra, the former Vice President told an enthusiastic crowd of supporters that his ambition was to expand the economy and create opportunities for ordinary Ghanaians.
Dr. Bawumia explained that his presidency would focus on reducing the cost of living, supporting local industries, and introducing a flat tax system to make life easier for businesses and individuals.
He added that a future NPP government under his leadership would prioritize constituency-based development, ensuring that resources directly benefit communities across the country.
The two-term Vice President also highlighted his record in government, pointing to initiatives such as the Ghana Card, Mobile Money Interoperability, the Zipline Drone Delivery service and Agenda 111.
He described these as “rich ideas” that had already transformed lives, saying they showed his capacity to provide practical solutions to Ghana’s challenges.
Dr. Bawumia reassured the party’s grassroots that he would recognize and reward their sacrifices, promising to restore opportunities many had lost.
He further pledged to build a modern, digital economy that would offer equal opportunities to women, youth and vulnerable groups.
According to him, unity within the NPP was essential if the party was to return to power in 2028.
He urged members to avoid internal attacks and instead concentrate on defeating the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which he accused of deceiving Ghanaians with promises it had failed to deliver.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
I rely on ideas, not money to win support – Dr. Bawumia
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that unlike some of his opponents, he does not depend on money to win the support of party members.
According to him, his strength lies in his track record, vision and ideas that have impacted millions of Ghanaians rather than financial influence.
“I demonstrate my strength by getting results, not by making noise or by insults or bragging about money,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia made these remarks at the NPP headquarters in Accra after filing his nomination papers to contest the flagbearer position.
He addressed a large gathering of party supporters and outlined his ambition to lead the NPP into the 2028 elections and ultimately the presidency in 2029.
The former Vice President reminded delegates that for over 16 years, he had dedicated his time, knowledge and reputation to the success of the party.
He stressed that his visibility and hard work across the country positioned him as the most prepared candidate, insisting that the NPP should not “start afresh from zero” but build on its existing strength.
Dr. Bawumia further urged party members to look beyond monetary influence in the flagbearer contest and rather focus on competence, unity and vision.
He said the 2028 elections would be crucial for the party and called on supporters to rally behind him to secure victory.
By: Jacob Aggrey
