News
Craze for x’mas shopping: Crowded markets, low patronage
Vendors of food and other wares associated with the Christmas celebration have expressed surprise at the low patronage despite the increased number of visitors to some of the major markets across the capital.
Four days to the celebration(Christmas), the markets are filled with various products ranging from food, clothing, livestock and many other stuff, but according to the vendors, patrons are doing more ‘window’ shopping.
The Spectator on visits to some of the markets in the capital, notably the Odawna, Makola, Accra Central Business District, New Town and others made similar observations as shoppers crowd them but did little in terms of purchases.
The paper also observed that majority of vendors, originally selling other wares have switched to product related to the festive season.
What it means is that there are a lot more clothes, food and vegetables, livestock and poultry, toys, firecrackers, drinks of different types and many others on display.
The markets have also stretched to the pedestrian pavement, leaving very narrow spaces for commuters to move about freely.
That, in addition to a few of the female vendors dressed in coloured attires to reflect the occasion, has heightened the euphoria, leaving the low sales as the only headache for the vendors.
Speaking with this paper, they sounded very optimistic, believing that sales would improve in the last few days to the yuletide.
According to them, there was the opportunity to sell beyond Christmas as the New Year celebration offers similar opportunity to trade the same wares.
They urged patrons to throng the markets to shop since prices were quite moderate and products affordable for all.
News
President Mahama confers with Niger Head of State
President John Mahama continued his visit to West African states in pursuit of Ghana’s long-standing foreign policy of good neighbourliness.
On Sunday, he travelled to Niamey, Niger to hold talks with General Abdourahamane Tchiani, President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.
The two leaders held closed-door meetings and later an expanded bilateral meeting with their delegations in the presidential palace.
A communique issued after the engagements confirmed that discussions focused on enhanced security cooperation in the Sahel and West African region to combat terrorism, improved and unimpeded trade between the two countries, and strengthening bilateral ties.
President Tchiani raised the need for collaboration and recognition of the Alliance of Sahel States by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with President Mahama emphasising the need for greater collaboration to fight terrorism, which threatens not only the Sahel region but also countries further down towards the coast.
Mr Mahama used the occasion to thank his Nigerien counterpart for sending a delegation to his inauguration on January 7, 2025, noting that Ghana and Niger have for many decades cooperated in the areas of trade as Ghana imports many agricultural products from Niger.
News
Stonebwoy’s electrifying London concert : A Story of Resilience and Triumph
London came alive as one of Ghana’s finest musical exports, Stonebwoy rocked thousands at the Up and Running Tour concert held at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
The show opened with Stonebwoy emerging in silhouette form, standing atop a riser.
The shadowed figure created an air of mystery, leaving the crowd eager to see the man behind the shape.
As the opening notes of his song “Hero” filled the venue, the lights dramatically revealed him now fully visible — wearing a striking ensemble that told a deeper story.
Stonebwoy’s attire was no accident he wore a tattered jacket, Rick Owens pants and Balenciaga footwear adorned with chains.This look wasn’t just fashion; it symbolized resilience.
The torn clothes represented the negativity, criticism, and adversity he’s faced as a visual metaphor for the attempts to tear him down.
The chains further amplified this, reflecting the weight of judgment and challenges placed upon him.
Despite it all, there he stood proud, powerful, and still standing tall as a hero for his people.
The transition into up and running set:
In a powerful shift, Stonebwoy’s second set began from the upper level of the crowd, this time dressed in pristine white.
This transition was a statement no matter how much negativity is thrown his way, no matter how hard people try to break him, he remains true to his purpose: uplifting and inspiring his fans.
His presence among the crowd symbolized his unwavering connection to the people, a reminder that his journey, his struggles, and his triumphs are all for them.
