Entertainment
Touch lives on Valentine’s Day – Sally Akua Amoakowaa
It is the time of the year, where many try to express their affection to their loved ones by presenting them gifts and other valuable items.
Valentine’s Day, which falls on Sunday, February 14, has been declared as the National Chocolate Day in Ghana, and it is expected that Ghanaians would show their appreciation to others with chocolate among other things.
Entrepreneur and television personality, Sally Akua Amoakowaa Mensah, has advised revellers to focus on touching lives of those who genuinely need help on Valentine’s Day.
According to her, people would love to celebrate with their partners, which is not wrong, but they should look beyond their circles.
Speaking to The Spectator, she said, “Many would like to celebrate with their partners which is fine, but it should go beyond that.”
She said, if you followed the story of Valentine, it was about touching lives of people who genuinely needed support and affection.
Sally Akua Amoakowaa, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jay&Jay Company Limited, a fashion import and export company, believes, there are people who are on the streets, or at the hospitals unable to afford their needs.
“Some people are on the street, others are at the hospital who need genuine love, because they cannot afford their bills among others, these are the people we need to show love to. There are some in our communities, let reach out and touch their lives, totally touching the lives of such people would rather solidify the essence of the day, and be a blessing onto the lives of the philanthropists,” she said.
Akua Amoakowaa who is also the founder of Street Aid Ghana, told this paper, she would cook on Valentine’s Day and share with the downtrodden or the less privileged.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Gospel artiste, Obaapa Christy has officially launched her annual concert, ‘Royal Praise 2026’, set to be held in Accra and Kumasi this August.
The maiden Accra edition comes off Sunday, August 9, at the UPSA Auditorium. She will be joined on stage by gospel heavyweights Empress Gifty, Celestine Donkor, Joyce Blessing, Kweku Gyasi, Uncle Ato, and Akesse Brempong.
The Kumasi edition follows a week later on Sunday, August 16, at the Church of Pentecost, Bantama.
Patrons there can expect performances from legendary Mama Esther, Broda Sammy, Ernest Opoku, Joyce Blessing, Kwame Gyedu, and Lady Prempeh.
Speaking at the launch at Alisa Hotel on June 12, Obaapa Christy explained that the event was christened Royal Praise, “because as a child of God, I see myself as royalty, same as you. We are all royals in the house of God.”
She urged attendees to embrace the ‘royal’ theme with their dress code and said the concert was meant to stay as an annual event to honour God for His works.
According to her, the event has come to stay, and called on all and sundry to support.
Obaapa Christy thanked fans and sponsors for supporting the launch and expressed optimism for more backing ahead of the main events.
Supporting artistes on the bill who attended the launch threw their weight behind the maiden edition and called on Ghanaians to throng the venues in their numbers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Fashion enthusiasts, shoppers, and industry stakeholders gathered at the A&C Mall at East Legon on Saturday as Ghanaian fashion brand, Neesa Atelier officially opened its newest retail outlet to unveil an exclusive capsule collection inspired by West Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The launch, held as an intimate ‘Sip & Shop’ experience, marked a significant milestone for the growing fashion brand as it expanded its physical presence while showcasing its latest collection, Dust & Raffia.
The collection offers a creative exploration of the cultural links between Ghana and Mali, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion design. Guests at the event were given a first look at the limited-edition pieces, which featured a hand-spun cord, raffia, jute, and Bogolan (mudcloth) elements.
According to the Creative Director of Neesa Atelier, Pamela Sarkodee, the collection celebrates the enduring connections among African communities and highlights the beauty of indigenous craftsmanship.
“This collection celebrates the stories that connect us across borders. By bringing together Bogolan, raffia, jute, and cordwork, we wanted to create pieces that honour heritage while presenting a contemporary vision of African luxury,” she said.
Throughout the event, guests toured the new retail space, interacted with the collection, and enjoyed an exclusive shopping experience that included special in-store offers. The occasion also provided an opportunity for fashion lovers to engage with the brand’s vision of blending culture, creativity, and community.
The Dust & Raffia collection draws inspiration from the textures, symbols, and traditions that have connected Ghanaian and Malian communities over generations. Through the use of natural materials and handcrafted techniques, the collection seeks to preserve cultural narratives while presenting them through modern fashion.
The new A&C Mall outlet has been designed to provide customers with an immersive shopping experience, giving them access to Neesa Atelier’s signature collections as well as future releases within one of Accra’s leading retail and lifestyle destinations.
Industry observers say the expansion reinforces Neesa Atelier’s growing reputation within Ghana’s fashion industry as a contemporary African brand committed to celebrating identity, heritage, and craftsmanship through innovative design.
The Dust & Raffia capsule collection is currently available for pre-order, with a wider public release expected in the coming weeks.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
