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Countdown to Christmas …traders optimistic in spite of low purchasing power
With barely two days to Christmas, a significant number of people have stormed various market centres in Accra to make last minute purchases ahead of the long holidays.
Owing to the general economic situation, it had been predicted that the festive season may not be bubbly like previous years and that exactly seems to be the case.
While some centres were busy attending to customers, same could not be said about other places as some traders complained of low patronage.
Goods ranging from colourful outfits, gift hampers, edibles, and decorative items were displayed but the purchasing power of potential customers had fallen.
The Spectator toured some market centres in Accra where some women were dressed purposely to catch the attention of potential customers.
Some had switched from selling their usual items to dealing in products they thought would be bought quickly. The response of clients seemed unfavourable as some of them feared they may run at a loss.
One of the traders, who sold ladies’ bags, said she was expecting to make some good sales but prospective buyers were merely window shoppers and she could not differentiate the festive season from ordinary days.
Apart from the activities in Accra, our Reporter Alberto Norreti Mario reports that there has been a remarkable increase in the number of customers scrambling to buy food and various Christmas items from the various shopping centres in the Ho Municipality.
The Stadium Gate Supermarket, for instance, has pledged to commit resources and recruit people with physical disabilities (PWD) as well as other young people to perform various social responsibilities with proceeds accruing from the sales during the season.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the supermarket, Mrs Victoria Letsa said that the shopping centre was looking into the possibility of building a decent park for children, in the regional capital, Ho.
She said that customers who were flocking to the shopping centre were showing interest in Christmas cards and trees, toys and various festive gifts and decorations. “Others are also doing window shopping for now,” Mrs Letsa added.
In response to the high demand from customers, she said the shop would recruit 10 more casual workers to add to existing 90 employees, adding that the daily average of 150 customers recorded had suddenly jumped to 300.
“Our motive is not only to make profit all the time, but we are also highly concerned about the welfare of communities, and so we will continue to render humanitarian services to the less privileged, especially during the Christmas season,” she said.
By Spectator Reporter
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
