This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Friday Office Fashion, Thrift sales are up, Cursed by Gold? Free pads? Room with a view, and Mussels at the Cyril Restaurant and Grill at the Bulgarian Cultural Center

Friday Office Fashion: Casual, But Don’t Overdo It. It’s Friday, the weekend is calling, and suddenly your corporate wardrobe starts whispering: “Jeans. Sneakers. Oversized everything.” But for the Accra corporate girl, Casual Friday doesn’t mean looking like you accidentally took a wrong turn on your way to brunch. The goal is relaxed, stylish, and still very much boss-lady appropriate. Think smart jeans with a crisp shirt, tailored trousers with a chic polo or knit top, or a relaxed midi dress paired with clean sneakers. You can loosen up without losing the polish. The secret? Keep one structured element in your outfit. If your trousers are casual, wear a polished blazer. If you're wearing denim, add a sophisticated blouse and elegant accessories. Balance is everything. And please—Casual Friday is not an excuse for bedroom slippers, overly distressed jeans, or that tired T-shirt from university. Your Friday look should say: “Yes, I’m ready for the weekend—but I can still handle a 2 p.m. meeting if necessary.” Because being comfortable is great, but being comfortable and effortlessly stylish? That’s the real corporate girl flex. Thrift sales are up. It’s not only in Ghana that we like to scout for nice dresses from second-hand shops or cheaper still, from bend-down boutiques. Europe is playing its part as well. Websites like Vinted and Depop offer second-hand dresses and other items directly from seller to buyer (with a commission for the platform of course). Sales are up 60% compared with the previous year. What used to be shameful (wearing second hand stuff, meaning you were poor) is now becoming trendy and world environment saving. Next thing we’ll be re-exporting our selected finds to where they came from. Anyway, if you say recycling, Africa has always been in the lead.

Cursed by Gold? Those who are in farming will know that it is more and more difficult to find farm labour. One of the reasons?? The youth goes for galamsey, and once they have a little bit of money they leave the country. And typically it is the more entrepreneural ones who will decide to leave, so we’ll be left with the laggards, and without gold.

Free pads? H.E. John Dramani Mahama once proposed this so that girls could continue to attend school, but in our society if you say menstruation pad you almost say unspoken words and his proposal was ridiculed. But we should talk about this, it’s an ever reoccurring issue, and there is nothing ridiculous or dirty about it. In France the compulsory universal medical insurance reimburses two reusable pads and menstruation panties per year for girls up to 26 years old. At the same time the products must have been technically approved, so they do not contain dangerous chemicals.

Room with a view. I decided to have a few days away from the rush and booked a room in Afiki hotel in Ankwanda (a small fishing village), 20 minutes after Elmina. The room has views of the village and the sea beyond, with a very good view from the balcony. Nice and relaxing. They have a medium sized pool as well and are right on the beach. About as close to paradise as you can get. The place is not that popular and room rates are a bit okay. Many similar places on the sea now charge between 1500 and 2500 GHC per night… But hélas, paradise eluded. The room itself was okay, with a nice bathroom, but the view was onto a few heaps of garbage and blocks and a lot of goats. Standing on the very narrow balcony didn't change much except that looking into the direction of the sea you now also saw the back of a staircase. Moral of the story: ask for pictures before you book. And the next night the villagers were having a festival, the very “hotel beach” was full of littering people and a huge sound installation which even the room window could not filter out and I had dinner in the open air hotel restaurant with earplugs in. I had meanwhile changed to a room which indeed had a reasonable view, but the lighting was only one lamp on the ceiling, no bedside lamps. This bathroom was funny, it had a big window towards the room with a curtain in front of it, so if you wanted you could observe what was happening there from the room itself. Rooms…..

Mussels at the Cyril Restaurant and Grill at the Bulgarian Cultural Center (10 Kakramadu Road, Cantonments, Accra). I was told they had fresh mussels again, and indeed they were huge and fresh and nicely cooked with some spices and carrots. I think it’s the wife of the manager who does the cooking. She previously had a restaurant in Amsterdam, and I’d say she knows what she’s doing. The typical Ghanaian mussel can be found at low tides on rocks at the beach, but they are small, maybe biggest is 2 inches. But these are from Japan, up to 4 inches. Bought in Tema. Strange? They stick to the bottom of ships and thus travel the world. They had a big all comprising fish dish for 2 as well with crabs, prawns, shrimps, oysters, clams, lobsters, squid and octopus. Finger bowls provided. I had grilled chicken there the other day as well, nicely grilled and juicy, also recommended.

Lydia...

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I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: The “I Have Nothing to Wear” Office Fashion Emergency, Choosing the right hubby is only the beginning of the road, Ladies, Beware!, Crescent Rolls, and Sushi at Home

The “I Have Nothing to Wear” Office Fashion Emergency There is perhaps no greater morning drama than standing before a wardrobe filled with clothes and confidently declaring: “I have absolutely nothing to wear.” For the Accra corporate girl, this familiar fashion emergency usually happens on the morning of an important meeting, a presentation—or simply a day when looking effortlessly polished feels non-negotiable. But before rushing to the shops, consider this: the perfect office look may already be hanging quietly in your wardrobe. The Art of the Wardrobe Rediscovery: Luxury is not always about owning more. Often, it is about seeing what you already own with a fresh perspective. That forgotten blazer can instantly sharpen a simple pair of trousers. An old white shirt becomes effortlessly elegant when paired with a structured midi skirt. A neutral dress you rarely wear can feel entirely new with a belt, refined accessories and a beautifully tailored jacket. Start With the Classics: When inspiration disappears, return to the pieces that never fail: crisp shirts, tailored trousers, structured blazers, elegant dresses and timeless skirts. Then elevate them through styling. Think tonal dressing in shades of cream, chocolate, black or soft beige. Add polished shoes, a structured handbag and subtle jewelry. Suddenly, familiar pieces feel intentional, sophisticated and quietly luxurious. Style Over Shopping: The most stylish women are not necessarily the ones with overflowing wardrobes. They are the ones who understand proportion, layering, texture and the power of impeccable styling. So the next time you find yourself staring dramatically into your wardrobe, remember: you may not need a new outfit. You may simply need a new perspective. Because sometimes, the most luxurious thing in your wardrobe is not something you just bought—it is something you finally learned how to style beautifully. Choosing the right hubby is only the beginning of the road. It appears that men have a tendency to keep their eyes wide open, even after the marriage, for anything that moves and wears a skirt. On top of that, once you are pregnant it is not so easy again to give in to all his desires, and immediately after delivery you are literally out of the running for quite some time, and busy with the newborn, lack of sleep, and no time for the gym. So what now do you expect? Let’s look at the basics. What do you really want? You want your kids to grow up in a harmonious peaceful environment, with sufficient money available to take care of everyone’s needs. But here goes, he’s found another fresh green leaf and even moves out. Most often the kids suffer enormously during and after such separation, though you may not immediately notice it. Often school performance goes down, some even start stammering, some are lost between the many grandmothers and aunties trying to take care of them, and trust no one again and learn to steal what they need. Many kids after a separation carry serious trauma, sometimes all their lives. I’ve looked at my friends, and my little survey shows that 8 out of 10 come from a broken family. And most of them somehow are traumatised and have difficulty performing socially and having honest relationships. So, no matter what selfish ugly bastard he turns out to be, do whatever you can to stay together, at least till the kids have grown up. You owe it to these kids, who did not ask to come into this world. And if that means you have to literally go on your knees, then do so. And there’s more. Every guy has a soft spot; find it. Maybe cook like his mum, or visit his mum often. Or show your buttocks right into his face and allow him to grab them, if that’s what he fancies. Or whatever. And if he is kinkier than you like? It is not about you; it is about the kids. Make sure that with you he gets something he gets nowhere else. Make the effort to find out what really turns him on, into your power.

Ladies, Beware! First, we had the Russian man with the video spectacles who posted many girls naked on social media. Then there was this man from Puerto Rico (I think it is part of the USA) who claims that he wants to marry five ladies from different countries. And the latest I heard of is a man who claims to have a real jacuzzi in his house and who is inviting girls to enjoy it (and of course, take selfies). But it is not clear whether he provides bathing costumes or if to really feel the flow of the water you have to attend in Eva’s costume. I’d say: beware, and curiosity kills the cat.

Crescent Rolls. And talk about curiosity! I went to Melcom Labone and decided to try their croissant au beurre (butter croissant), proudly baked by l’Artisan (the craftsman) at GHC 20. The price is a bit more than I would pay for a good croissant in France, but this was not a good croissant. Maybe “crescent roll” was a better description. No Frenchman would recognize this as a croissant, apart from perhaps its shape (even that was overdone). A good butter croissant should taste rich, with creamy, aromatic butter, balanced by a mild, natural sweetness from the yeast dough and just a subtle hint of salt, rather than heavy sugar, artificial flavourings, or greasy vegetable oil. The deep golden-brown crust should add a slight, pleasant toasted or nutty undertone. On the outside it should be crisp and flaky, shattering and crackling when pressed or bitten into with light flakes falling away. Inside, it should be tender, warm, and soft, with an open, airy honeycomb structure formed by delicate layers rather than the dense texture of a heavy bread roll. Finally, a well-made butter croissant should dissolve easily in the mouth and never leave a heavy, waxy, or greasy coating on the lips or fingers.

Sushi at Home. Do you like sushi? In Ghana it is mainly slices of raw seafood, mostly served with a roll of rice. I make my own and use cassava fish (not always easy to get) which has a neutral but still fishy flavour. I marinate small pieces for about three hours in lemon juice and add finely sliced onion, a very little bit of hot pepper, some small pieces of tomato, and tomato paste (ketchup is too sweet). Try it with a nice glass of cold Prosecco! (Of course, the cassava fish should be very fresh.)

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Quiet Luxury in the Accra Office, Trouble for the luxury brands, Antibiotics, Climate change and wine, +233 Jazz & Grill Bar

Quiet Luxury in the Accra Office. Embrace the Power of Neutrals: Cream. White. Black. Camel. Chocolate brown. Navy. Grey. These colours have a naturally sophisticated energy and make mixing and matching much easier. Imagine a crisp white shirt with tailored brown trousers, a structured handbag, and elegant loafers. Simple? Yes. Boring? Absolutely not. Quiet luxury is all about making simplicity look intentional. Choose Quality-Looking Fabrics: Your outfit doesn't have to be expensive—but it shouldn't look cheap. Look for fabrics with structure and a polished finish. Think crisp cotton, linen blends, good-quality crepe, structured suiting, and smooth fabrics that hold their shape. The goal is to look effortlessly put together, even after surviving Accra traffic. Grooming Is Part of the Outfit: Quiet luxury doesn't stop at your clothes. Neat hair. Fresh makeup. Well-maintained nails. A beautiful fragrance. Clean shoes. You don't have to look overdone—you just have to look intentional. Because sometimes the real luxury is looking like you had your life together, even when your morning started with traffic, unanswered emails, and a trotro driver testing your patience. The Quiet Luxury Rule? Confidence. At the end of the day, looking luxurious isn't about pretending to be someone you're not. It's about choosing pieces carefully, wearing them well, paying attention to details, and carrying yourself with confidence. Quiet. Polished. Powerful. Expensive-looking that's the corporate luxury fashionista. Trouble for the big luxury brands. Their sales are down. Many people are coming to their senses and no longer want to pay 15,000 USD for a bag or a watch, or 150 USD for a 100 ml bottle of perfume. Who buys these things anyway? Typically, the “nouveau riche”, those who have come into real money only recently. The old-money people, whose parents were already born rich, do not buy noisy things like Yves Saint Laurent or Dior. They have their own good-quality, reasonably priced things that are less noisy. They do not show off, but if you meet them, you can see that they know what quality is. The luxury brands have another problem: the Chinese market. There are a lot of nouveau riche people there, but now they are starting to have their own luxury brands, like Shang Xia and Songmont. A bit of nationalism and social media can cause a lot of problems as well. For example, a woman who was promised an item from Tiffany, despite making regular purchases, was disappointed and given a few biscuits as consolation. She went viral, and the public started hitting out at the brand. Get ready for Shanghai Fashion Week and Beijing Fashion Week to become part of the New York, London, Milan and Paris sequence. Already, SUNCUN and CHEN 1988 are showing their stuff in our part of the world, too. And there is more. Vogue magazine is suffering, like the rest of the printed press. They are restructuring and can only promise that Vogue in Britain will remain profitable in 2027. Beyond that, it is anybody’s guess. The fashion world is in the midst of a revolution. Start looking for good-quality, well-designed items, wear them with style, and save thousands of dollars.

Antibiotics. These are nice medicines, in fact some of the few medicines that actually heal; mostly medicines suppress symptoms only. The first antibiotic was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming in London, but commercialization only came in 1941. And before that? If you had a proper infection, you could die from it. So antibiotics are the answer to many ailments, and doctors happily prescribe them. Result: the bacteria become resistant. In England, in 2024, 2,379 people died because no antibiotic worked against the bacteria; the bacteria had outsmarted the medicine. Back to before 1941. And that death toll was up 10% from the previous year. Estimates are that by 2050, 185,000 people will die in the UK because no antibiotic works for their case. So use them as little as you can, not to allow resistance to build up. Ah, but if your neighbor has a resistant bacterial strain, you can get that strain as well. And then, if you are not strong and become sick? These resistant bacteria also populate your intestines and outmanoeuvre the good ones. Recent tests in the Nairobi slums showed more resistant bacteria in these highly populated areas than in the rest of the town. The same was observed in Britain: the poorer the area, the higher the incidence.

Climate change and wine. The 2026 wine harvest in southern France, (the biggest vineyard in the world, with approximately 700,000 hectares) is a disaster, with some areas experiencing a full 5-month drought, scorching of leaves and yields down 15–50%. Only some of those who are irrigating had a reasonable harvest, albeit a bit “watery”. So stay away from 2026 red Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault; rather, go for more northern wines like Burgundy, Beaujolais, Sauvignon and Chinon. Try South American wines, like wines from Chile, value for money.

+233 Jazz & Grill Bar. (Dr. Isert Street, North Ridge, opposite GBC, Accra). TJ is becoming an ever better singer and starting to draw his own crowds. The Zuum band, with Chris in charge (now 85 years old and still kicking) is really giving nice greenbacks, and the sound is good. Pity that the beef kebabs were a bit dry. I’ll try again and let you know.

# Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: How to Look Expensive, Polished & Effortlessly Elegant—Without Designer Labels, Fashion Show Galore, Pain killers, Sticky Non-Stick Frying Pans, The Internet of Things and Make Sure You Don't Lose Your Password, and People Social Eatery

How to Look Expensive, Polished & Effortlessly Elegant—Without Designer Labels. Dear Accra corporate girl, luxury is not always about the logo on your handbag or the price tag on your blazer. Sometimes, the most expensive looking woman in the office is the one wearing a perfectly tailored pair of trousers, a crisp shirt, and enough confidence to make everyone wonder, “Where does she shop?” Welcome to the world of quiet luxury—Accra office edition. Tailoring Is Your Best Investment: You don't need a wardrobe full of designer clothes. What you need is clothing that fits beautifully. A well-fitted blazer, tailored trousers, or a structured dress will instantly make your outfit look more luxurious. Avoid pieces that are too tight, too loose, or awkwardly proportioned. The secret? Sometimes, a simple trip to your tailor can make an affordable outfit look like it belongs on a luxury runway. Keep Accessories Elegant, Not Excessive: Quiet luxury doesn't need everything to scream for attention. Choose one or two beautiful accessories: a classic watch, delicate jewellery, a structured handbag, or elegant shoes. Remember, the goal is not: “Can everyone see my accessories?” The goal is: “Why does she always look so polished?” Your Shoes Can Make—or Break—the Look: You could be wearing the most beautiful outfit, but tired-looking shoes can change the entire story. Invest in versatile styles such as: – Classic pumps – Elegant loafers – Minimal sandals – Pointed flats – Clean, sophisticated heels And please, Accra corporate girl: keep them clean. Luxury is often in the details. So the next time you walk into that Accra office, remember: You don't need a designer logo to look expensive. You just need good style, great tailoring, and the confidence of a woman who knows exactly who she is. That is the Accra Corporate Girl luxury aesthetic. Fashion Show Galore. It seems we are in line with what is happening in the world. In quick succession we had the New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. And in Ghana, we had the Ghana Garden and Flower show, which took place at the Efua Sutherland Children's Park, and last weekend the HnM Fashion Show at the National Theatre and on the same day the Style Runway FW26, and then Glitz and RodR (Rhythms on Da Runway), and the Ghana Fashion Week coming up, and Black Star Fashion Week in the making. Is there money to be made there? Is this the latest fashion fad, to organize fashion shows called fashion weeks? As a designer, what should I do? Apply for all? And pay for all? These things don't come cheap if you add all the expenses involved: making the collection, paying your fee to the show organizer, (ranging from 3000 to 8000 GHC) transporting your stuff to a fitting session and back, transporting it to the show, getting a stylist to make it look good, taking it back, and sending it all to the dry cleaner to remove makeup and sweat. Say somewhere between 5,000 and 13,000 GHC. And what do you get? A bit of publicity. Any sales? Any foreign buyers giving you contracts for 500 pieces of this and 500 pieces of that? Hmm.

Pain killers. What Is Pain? Mostly, it’s a signal that something somewhere in your body is wrong. So, to get rid of that pain, you take a painkiller. Problem solved? No, problem suppressed, not solved. The same thing is still wrong with you. Now, if you take a painkiller once a month or so I don’t want to argue much, but if you take painkillers daily, then you are not on the right track. And many are not on the right track. Try to find out what creates the pain, and rather try to solve that problem than taking the pain away without knowing what’s wrong with you. And as you take more pills, you will need more pills. Your body gets used to them, the same as when using narcotics. Eventually, you get into the overdose mode. Brrrr.

Sticky Non-Stick Frying Pans. The famous one is the French Tefal, and that contains so-called forever chemicals, which everyone is currently agitating against. They cause cancer, hormonal disruption and other health problems and don’t break down, hence the name forever chemicals, also called PFAS. So Tefal came up with a big campaign: “Now we are healthy.” But currently, they got attacked by three groups, the ClientEarth (an environmental law organization), Generations Futures (a French environmental organization) and Notre Affaire à Tous (a French environmental justice organization) who claim Tefal is still using the poison. So they’ll probably stop using it and close the factory? Of course not. Keep the show going. Africa also needs non-stick frying pans. So be aware. Stainless steel or cast iron is a better option. The good news is that the FDA recently destroyed a container with dangerous nappies. Let’s hope they get their act together and also look at cooking pans and makeup.

The Internet of Things and Make Sure You Don't Lose Your Password. And how secure is that? My computer friend, one of those geeks who seems to be married to the screen, pizza and beefburgers, says nothing is secure. Imagine a lock on your room door. You have the key. But things get missing. Either someone has a spare key or came in through the window, or removed the entire door, or came in through the ceiling. It’s a bit like that with computer security. And then we read that a 15-year-old boy hacked the USA Ministry of Defense system. 15-year-old boy hacked the USA Ministry of Defense system In Sweden, they tried to introduce a cashless society, so everything went through the internet. Now they don't trust that anymore and ask everybody to keep a reasonable amount of cash at home. This morning, I read that hackers got into the cooling systems in supermarkets (I never knew they were connected through the internet), and thousands of tons of refrigerated food have to be thrown away. Who thinks this is funny? But I think maybe someone is testing. Like you design a weapon and then quietly test it somewhere. The next war will probably be fought by shutting down each other's internet. And drones, which use computers to hit the target. So don't rely too much on all of this. Have two bank cards from different banks and have some cash in the house, spread your savings over several banks, and have two mobile numbers from different operators. Paranoia? Maybe.

People Social Eatery. We went to Orca at Spintex to buy a few things for the new bathroom, but were disappointed and walked out with nothing. To make up for it, we went to the People Social Eatery next door and had a honey nut granola banana at 110 GHC, which was nice, and orange juice at 50 GHC, and a double espresso at 55 GHC, which was small and came without sugar, though on request it was brought. Our 5 GHC change was taken and not brought back, and the waiter had disappeared.

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Paris Fashion Week 2026, Naomi Campbell's tall trees catch a lot of wind, Diet drinks work as well as water for weight loss, major trial finds, and A glass of wine? No thank you.

Paris Fashion Week 2026: Paris Was Doing the Most. Paris Fashion Week arrived with one simple message: please leave the ordinary at home. From September 28th to October 6th, the French capital turned into one giant runway, with Spring/Summer 2027 collections bringing drama, tailoring, fantasy and plenty of “Wait… where did she get that?” street style. The runways were serving fashion with a French accent—sharp tailoring, beautiful silhouettes, unexpected proportions and enough attitude to make even a coffee run look editorial. And then there was the street style. Parisian fashion girls stepped out looking effortlessly expensive, while editors, models and influencers turned sidewalks into their own personal catwalks. The real skill? Looking like you just threw something on when you clearly spent an hour making it look that way. For the Accra fashion girl, Paris offered plenty of inspiration. Think relaxed tailoring that can survive the Accra heat, oversized sunglasses for maximum main-character energy, statement bags, elegant neutrals and shoes that say “I have a meeting at 10 and cocktails at 7.” Of course, Ghanaian fashion girls already know the assignment: confidence first, outfit second. Whether it is a perfectly fitted kaba-inspired silhouette, bold African print, sleek trousers or a killer accessory, the Accra woman has never needed Paris to tell her how to make an entrance. Paris may have the Eiffel Tower, but Accra has Oxford Street, Cantonments and a fashion girl who refuses to overdress—because there is no such thing. Paris Fashion Week 2026 proved once again: fashion is not just what happens on the runway. Sometimes, the real show starts when you step outside. Naomi Campbell's tall trees catch a lot of wind. Supermodel Naomi Campbell has managed to overturn a five-year ban on serving as a charity trustee that she said had “hurt deeply”. Two years ago, the Charity Commission, which regulates charities in England and Wales, found “multiple instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement” at the charity including using charity funds to pay for Campbell’s stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, as well as spa treatments, room service and cigarettes. As a result, it imposed the ban on Campbell. In its current ruling, the tribunal confirmed there had been “serious misconduct and mismanagement,” but that the “failures in the management of the charity’s finances and the misuse of its funds” resulted from the conduct of the founder of the charity Bianka Hellmich, not from Naomi. These misconducts were “concealed” from the supermodel. Anyway, Campbell is not very good at choosing her acquaintances. She knew Epstein, of the famous Epstein files. Epstein was very good at getting business favours from rich business men by making under age girls available to them. The Epstein files mentioned Trump and he has been busy trying to keep things covered. Trump was in Moscow in 2013 for the Miss Universe Pageant, when Campbell lived there with a Russian business mogul. Campbell knew Trump. And Campbell knew Nina Keita, niece of Ivory Coast's president, who introduced Epstein to young women and local business leaders in Ivory Coast. It’s who you know, isn't it?

Diet drinks work as well as water for weight loss, major trial finds. A two-year clinical trial involving 493 adults with overweight or obesity found that diet soft drinks were essentially as effective as water for long-term weight loss and weight maintenance. Participants drinking beverages sweetened with aspartame, acesulfame-K, or sucralose lost a similar amount of weight to those drinking water, while both groups also saw improvements in waist size, body composition, and several metabolic measures. Professor Jo Harrold, Dean of Psychology at the University of Liverpool, led the peer-reviewed research with Professor Jason Halford, Professor of Biological Psychology & Health Behaviours at the University of Leeds.

A glass of wine? No thank you. In M.A.G nr. 46, 5th May 2023, I mentioned that most wines in Ghana have a lot of added sulfur in them, (Europe allows till 250 mg/ltr for white and rose, and 150 mg for reds) to avoid that wine starts to referment, which could even result in the cork popping out, like with Champagne, Prosecco and other sparkling wines. On the bottle it is mentioned: added sulfurs. Adding the sulfur stops any effort by the wine to start a 2nd life. Unfortunately this often leads to headache if you drink too much of it, that sort of nail in your head the next day. Call it a Chateau Migraine. But there is also urticaire (another word for hives is the itchy, raised red or skin-coloured bumps and welts on the skin). Recognize this? And on top of that there are all the other chemicals added to give the wine a constant taste; you didn't want to get something else than what you drank last time. And there are the left overs of pesticides, and for example South Africa is known to import pesticides that are forbidden in any other country, so much so that workers in the wine yards and fruit orchards sometimes go on strike because they don't want to be poisoned. And I dare to bet that our FDA does not check for these things. Cheers.

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Milan Fashion Week, Hanging Your Dirty Lingerie Outside? and City Hotel

Milan Fashion Week: Abeg, Who Told Everyone to Dress Like This? Milan Fashion Week has arrived, and nobody came to behave. Milan Fashion Week is that one week when even getting coffee looks like a fashion moment. From September 22nd–28th, 2026, the city became one giant fashion playground—runways inside, street-style slay outside. Milano traded its usual Italian ease for seven days of runway drama, street-style theatre and fabulous outfits to make your wardrobe question its life choices. Also enough designer bags floating around to make your bank account feel personally attacked. Prada opened the week. Vogue World: Milano brought the spectacle. Fendi, Gucci, Max Mara, Dolce & Gabbana and Armani brought the heavy hitters. And the streets? Pure fashion chaos—in the best possible way. In Milan, apparently, “I just threw this on” means perfectly tailored trousers, an immaculate handbag, sunglasses, killer shoes and a coat that probably costs more than your first car. But Milan Fashion Week isn't only about the runway. The CNMI Fashion Hub at Palazzo Morando brought fashion closer to the public, while Palazzo Reale hosted Dalí e la moda, adding an art-meets-fashion moment to the week's agenda. And outside the shows? Brera, Via Montenapoleone, the Duomo and those effortlessly polished Milanese streets became their own street-style runway. The Milan formula was clear: impeccable tailoring, beautiful accessories, confident silhouettes—and absolutely no apology for looking expensive. Meanwhile, the Accra fashion girl is taking notes: Can it survive Accra heat? Can it handle Airport traffic? Can the heels survive Independence Avenue? Because Milan may have the marble palazzos and Via Montenapoleone, but Accra has its own fashion language—bold, expressive, practical and unapologetically stylish. Milan brought the Italian polish. Accra brings the personality. SS27 just got a lot more interesting. Milan understands one important thing: If you're going to be seen, you might as well give them something to look at. Hanging Your Dirty Lingerie Outside? US President Trump has just been told to pay $5.6 million to journalist E. Jean Carroll for sexual abuse. The case dates back to 1996, and Carroll has meanwhile turned 82, Trump is 80. 30 Years for a court case, justice delayed is justice denied? In Ghana the average court case takes a bit less than 3 years. But there is a second case. After Carroll accused Trump, Trump called her a liar, and Carroll sued Trump for defamation. This defamation case is worth $83.3 million. The importance of the case lies in the fact that Carroll is seen as the standard-bearer for dozens of other women who have accused the US leader of sexual misconduct. It is probably not the right time for Trump for this type of thing. Harvey Weinstein, the American film producer who brought many actors and actresses to stardom, has just been sentenced to 15 years in prison after some of these same stars claimed he had tried to assault them. Gwyneth Paltrow, who won an Academy Award for Shakespeare in Love (1998), was one of them. There are others. And it created the “Me Too” movement. Meaning? “Me Too” means they too have experienced sexual harassment or abuse. It became a way for women to speak out and show that they were not alone. But some say the “Me too” stands for I too was trying to get to the top by any means. And in Ghana? What do we do with our dirty lingerie? It appears we have more dignity than our friends across the Atlantic. Sometimes you hear rumors, but generally the Ghanaian public is not really interested and will quickly look at something else. Are we more civilized than Americans? The first Akan state, Bono Manso was founded in 1295, Columbus was born 156 years later. Let’s judge ourselves and not leave it to others.

City Hotel, 4 Stars Barnes Road, West Ridge, started as the Novotel in 1988, towards the end of Ghana’s very dark years, and at that time it was about Ghana’s only decently operating hotel. It was very central and near the ministries, quite convenient, the little business there was in Ghana at that time was mainly Ghana Government and international aid business. Golden Tulip, now Lancaster, opened a few years later and today they are all here: Hilton, Ibis, Kempinski, Marriott, Holiday Inn and several other international and local hotels. But in 2023 Novotel moved out and the Ghanaian owners of the hotel decided to go it their own way, under the name City Hotel. It still has a French streak, so we decided to have one croissant there and some coffee, and indeed, the croissant was about the best I’ve ever had in Accra, though a bit too salty for my liking, but then I hardly take salt. The coffee was OK, the cappuccino could have had more coffee taste. And the bill? GHC 710 for 2 croissants, 2 cups of coffee and a cappuccino. I protested, and it was explained to me that that’s how the breakfast was costed. I told the lady they should have clearly indicated that before we sat down and ordered, and that I was definitely not going to pay. Eventually they came back with a bill of GHC 128, GHC 25 for a croissant and GHC 39 for the coffee and for the cappuccino. All good. But now the moral of this story. City Hotel is no more under foreign (French) management. When we entered, 3 waiters and the cashier were loudly discussing something very important near the entrance of the dining room and did not really see us enter. When it was still Novotel, we would have been “seated” and been asked if we were hotel guests and if we came for their full breakfast. And there were some other things. The table had been laid with a plate, fork, knife and a napkin. Several waiters were trying to serve our table, so there was confusion. One waiter came and removed the plate, fork, knife and napkin, and replaced them with a plate, fork, knife and napkin. First the croissant did not come, and then we rather got 2 instead of 1. Amongst the sugar offer there was only white and brown, no zero-calorie sweetener. So I asked for this, but nothing happened. I got up and checked the other tables. One indeed had my calorie-free sweetener. And I took some coffee spoons as well, which had not been brought. Then crystal white sugar arrived, in a cute little bowl. The acoustics too have gone haywire. The walls are almost barren, so everything bounces back, and despite the very few customers on this Sunday morning, we had to speak loud to hear ourselves above the important discussion going on at the entrance. The place does not look very friendly anyway. Training, training, training, retraining and supervision. That’s what’s needed to keep the standards up. If not, the stars will soon fall off, first from 4 to 3, and by the time the room maintenance is not done again either, down to 2. Our president has been warning against poor service and standards in our hospitality industry. I agree with him, and he agrees with me.

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: London Fashion Week, Odd Fashion Shows, Films, Water, Canoe Beach Sushi & Grill, and Full Moon this Saturday

London Fashion Week. Forget the runway. London was the runway—and darling, the pavement was fully booked. Give London a little rain, a few black cabs, a red double-decker and a fashion crowd dressed like they’re late to something extremely important—and suddenly the whole city is serving Fashion Week. From Soho to Hyde Park, trench coats were flying, boots were marching, sunglasses were appearing in questionable weather, and the Tube was basically transporting fashion editors from one outfit change to the next. London wasn't just hosting Fashion Week. It was wearing it. London Fashion Week 2026: London, Take Your Bow !!! The runway was everywhere. From September 17–21, 2026, London Fashion Week turned the capital into one giant fashion set—and the pavement was just as important as the catwalk. More than 220 designers brought collections, presentations and experiments across the city. Paul Costelloe opened with a nautical-inspired collection, while outside, the street-style crowd was already serving: oversized tailoring, dramatic coats, boots, statement bags and sunglasses—because apparently grey skies are no excuse for bad accessorising. Then came Olympia London, where H&M brought the star power with names including Lila Moss and Alex Consani. Outside? Another runway. Cameras flashed as fashion editors, models and influencers moved between shows. Across London, Burberry, Simone Rocha, Alexander McQueen and Mulberry pulled the fashion crowd from venue to venue—and every journey became another street-style moment. Meanwhile, Fashion Scout's 20th anniversary season brought emerging-designers energy, while Art Hearts Fashion transformed St. John's Church in Hyde Park into another fashion destination. And naturally, London supplied the special effects. Rain. Wind. Wet pavements. Black cabs. A coat billowing dramatically in the breeze? Editorial. A puddle reflecting a perfectly styled outfit? Content. Hair slightly ruined by the weather? Call it texture. Meanwhile, the Accra fashion girl is watching from 30°C thinking: “Gorgeous. But please show me the linen version.” The venues brought the fashion. The streets brought the attitude. The weather brought the drama. And London turned the whole city into a runway. Odd Fashion Shows. Currently we have all these big fashion shows: New York, London, Milan and Paris and then Glitz Fashion show and Accra Fashion Week coming up. And last week we had an unusual one: a garden show. Among the flower displays at Efua Sutherland Children's Park, garden plants, pots and whatever else you can think of, and opened by H.E. the Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, a fashion show was held with the theme “Flowery.” One wonders. Nevertheless, the show featured 15 designers, with 7 designers from foreign countries, representing Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. Among the Ghanaian participants was Dizgrace Fashion, an upcoming fashion brand, alongside designers such as Adetutu from Nigeria and Roderm Arts from Benin, established adding a strong international dimension to the showcase. Dizgrace Fashion

Films. Often when I ask people what they do in their free time, the answer is: “Watching films.” And, like fashion, there are film festivals: Cannes and Venice. There used to be Ouagadougou as well. Here, unusual films with big potential are shown, and often films from countries you hardly knew existed come to the forefront. Cinema is much bigger than Hollywood. The rise of South Korean cinema is a good example of how films from outside America can reach and influence audiences around the world. Directors such as Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho have brought distinctly Korean stories and perspectives to international audiences, with films such as Oldboy and Parasite. Cannes has also played an important role by giving films from different countries a prestigious international platform. Parasite, for instance, went on to win the Palme d’Or in 2019. Its story is deeply rooted in Korean society and social class, yet its themes are easily understood across cultures. This shows that audiences do not only look to Hollywood for compelling stories. European, Asian, African and Latin American filmmakers all have their own voices, experiences and ways of telling stories, making world cinema far richer than the American film industry alone.

Water: Simple: water. But it is less simple than we think. Typically, one needs to drink 2–3 litres of water per day in Accra. You can ask AI: “What is the daily water requirement for a 60-kilogram woman who mainly works indoors?” and you get quite detailed answers, including whether you use air conditioning or not. And if you don't drink that much water? AI will tell you that you will automatically drink sufficiently because your body tells you when you are thirsty. I disagree. We have learned to override that thirst feeling. If you do not drink sufficiently, you may get headaches, have difficult or hard stools, feel easily tired and become irritated more quickly. A good yardstick is the colour chart below: every time you urinate, just check the colour and, if necessary, drink more. A small side step: around 40% of women in Accra have a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) so be careful which toilet you use. You can even get it in our hospitals. Now, the water we need to drink. Since about 30 years, sachet and bottled water have become popular. The cost? Say three sachets a day — that is roughly 1.5 litres. The rest of your water probably comes from the food you eat. At GHC 1.50 per day, that is about GHC 550 per year. Assuming you live until 65, that would be around GHC 35,000 over a lifetime. Would that buy a car? What happened before sachet and bottled water became popular? People drank from the tap, and there were water sellers on the streets. They carried a tank on their back, rather like a spraying machine, and sold you a glass of water on the spot. Also for just a few pesewas. Water from the tap? Yes. The Ghana Water Company disinfects the water seriously, using chlorine. That is one reason we have relatively few cases of cholera in Accra. Drinking water from the tap would also reduce our garbage problem. Thousands and thousands of tonnes of plastic end up in our landfills — and we paid dollars to import that plastic in the first place. Water. Simple.

Canoe Beach Sushi & Grill. 19th 4th Circular Road, Paul Weijer Street, Cantonment, Accra. The place is run by a real Korean fisherman, born here, with a real fishing boat. Tema used to be full of Korean fishermen and still is. And they didn't only catch fish. The restaurant has a cozy outdoor area and a very chic interior. The prices are chic wherever you sit, and our tablecloth was sheer luxury. We had white-fish carpaccio, which turned out to be hammer fish, at GHC 375. It was decorated with sweet oranges, which made for a nice combination. Then came sushi octopus at GHC 295 — indeed, something very special. The lobster was GHC 480, but it could have been fresher, and the sauce did not improve it. The little fried fish were nice. There was no barracuda. A big Club beer — they didn't have small ones — goes for GHC 77. And be careful: on top of all this, there is an 8% service charge, like it or not. The prices put me off, but the quality was above average.

Full Moon this Saturday. Nice beach walk at Laboma beach to admire the results of building without a license if you have no friends.

2nd October is grandparent's day. Don't forget.

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: NYFW 2026: The major fashion weeks are there again, New York Is Serving, Accra Is Watching!, Fashion Weeks here back Home, Babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brains, Lebanon Mountain Restaurant, and Grandparents Day

The major fashion weeks are there again. The world’s biggest? Upcoming Fall 2026 / Spring 2027. New York Fashion Week: September 10 – 15th, 2026 London Fashion Week: September 17 – 21st, 2026 Milan Fashion Week: September 22 – 28th, 2026 Paris Fashion Week: September 28 – October 6th, 2026 NYFW 2026: New York Is Serving, Accra Is Watching! New York Fashion Week is back, and honestly, our bank accounts were not consulted. From September 10 to 15th, designers are serving looks, celebrities are serving faces, and the street-style crowd is serving serious outfit anxiety. Over here in Accra, we’re watching everything like it’s our personal fashion group chat: “Hmm… nice, but can I wear this in Osu without melting?” Here are 10 NYFW moments and names currently making fashion girls pay attention: Diane von Furstenberg: Henry Zankov opened the week as the new Artistic Director—NYFW said, “We’re not easing into this thing!” Henry Zankov Tommy Hilfiger: Classic American cool is back. Meanwhile, the Accra girl is already thinking, “Okay, but can I wear this to the office?” Ralph Lauren: Timeless, polished and effortlessly expensive. Basically, “I’m going to the office, but please address me as Madam.” Coach: Cool bags, cool clothes, cool energy. Because sometimes the handbag is the outfit—and Accra girls understand a good bag. Michael Kors: Manhattan glamour is doing what it does best: polished, sophisticated and giving “meeting at 10, cocktails at 7.” Tory Burch: Feminine, effortless and chic. The kind of look that says “I woke up like this” after 45 minutes of getting dressed. Monse: Tailoring gets a little rebellious. Because apparently the blazer has decided it no longer wants to behave itself. Threeasfour: Fashion gets experimental and artsy—perfect for the girl who wants her outfit to start a conversation before she says hello. Street Style: New York’s sidewalks are basically one giant fashion show. Accra, meanwhile, is asking, “But can this survive our 32°C heat?” Thom Browne: Thom Browne closed NYFW on September 15. After five days of fashion drama, we can finally breathe—and start saving those screenshots for our next shopping trip.

Fashion Weeks here back Home. And here, back home? Major African fashion weeks scheduled for late 2026 include Glitz Africa Fashion Week from November 10–13th in Accra, and Accra Fashion Week: December 15–20th, 2026. Dakar 12-6th December, 2026, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria: December 2026 (Lagos). Sadly as I am writing this, there is no clear calendar for all African fashion weeks, we seem not to be able to put ourselves on the map, as they call it. Though we’ve fought successfully for a new world map where Africa is shown more or less at it‘s true size. The previous maps were drawn by those who “discovered us”. And we’re still trying to present them the bill. Anyway, this blog is about fashion and lifestyle, not about world politics, but maybe we should try to be more part of it so our wishes and desires are better heard. The majority of Ghanaians does not even know the names of the Presidents or Prime Ministers around us, it seems we are happy in our little corner.

Babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brains. You feel your anemia is not very important because you are not feeling sick? What is anemia again? Insufficient red blood cells, mainly as a result of too little meat and too little green veggies. Red blood cells transport oxygen to where it is needed. Typical anemia symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness. And if you can't afford the meat and the greenies which contain the iron you need to build red blood cells? There's blood tonic for around 85 GHC for 40 doses, that's 2 Ghana Cedis a day. How much do you pay for a sachet of water? Anyway, anemic mothers produce children where brain areas linked to movement, learning and emotions are affected, leading to cognitive problems later on (how you react, how you learn), and this really starts to show at primary school. More than a third of pregnant women worldwide have anaemia with highest occurrence in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Researchers from King’s College London in the UK, and the University of Cape Town in South Africa, followed more than 300 mothers and their babies in Cape Town, scanning the brains of the infants several times between the ages of three months and two years. On average, the total brain volume of babies born to anaemic mothers was 4% lower than that of babies born to non-anaemic mothers – despite all the anaemic mothers being diagnosed with only a mild version of the anemic condition. Social factors such as household income and food security were very similar for all of them. The gap between the groups of babies widened over the first two years of life from 4% less brain volume at 12 months to 6% at 24 months. “These aren’t children who are catching up, where the brain differences are disappearing over time,” said the researcher. “The differences are still there when the children are six years old and going to school, and when these things then translate into more noticeable cognitive difficulties” (poor school results). Some suggest we should be screening for anemia and iron deficiency particularly during pregnancy, but remember it takes about 6 months of good food to reduce anemia.

Lebanon Mountain Restaurant, Blohum road, next to Fidelity Bank, Dzorwulu, Accra. We decided to go for a Saturday afternoon mezza (a selection of small Lebanese dishes meant to be shared followed by a main course). The place was a bit deserted at that time, the owner or manager was sitting outside with I guess his wife. The moment we got out of the car he got up and welcomed us, his wife got up as well. Did we want to sit outside or inside? Inside. He let us choose the table, then one of the staff brought the menu. At ordering, the man himself attended and made suggestions, half way the meal he came to check if all was alright, and again at the end of the meal. We can learn a bit from the Middle Eastern hospitality. We had hummus-GHC 100, tabbouleh-GHC 150, baba ghanoush-GHC 50, kebe-GHC 10 each but we skipped the assaulted rice (is it really impossible to have menus printed without silly spelling mistakes?) and took 500g of grilled meat, (beef and chicken), at 300 GHC. Fresh pineapple juice for GHC 50, mini Club for GHC 35. I recommend it.

And on the 20th of this month there is an unusual fashion show.

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Crocs but Make it Corporate, Irish fashion and politics, Every Ghanaian is rich, Anemia and chicken livers, Babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brains, and No more steaks at the Ecuyer

Crocs but Make it Corporate. So, can Crocs work for the corporate Accra girl? Absolutely—but style is the difference between “fashion-forward office girl” and “why did she wear that to work?” Wear them with confidence, keep your outfit structured, and remember: in 2026, the corporate wardrobe has room for personality. Pair your Crocs with: – Wide-leg tailored trousers + a crisp shirt for that “I have a 9 a.m. meeting, but my feet are still at peace” look. – A structured midi dress + blazer for a playful but polished corporate twist. – A matching co-ord set for effortless fashion-girl energy. – An oversized corporate shirt + pencil skirt when you want to mix classic office wear with a little rebellion. The Accra Reality Check: Between Accra traffic, long working hours, running between meetings, and those spontaneous after-work plans, comfortable footwear is honestly a luxury. Crocs give your feet room to breathe while still allowing you to participate in fashion’s latest “ugly shoe but make it cool” era. And in true Accra girl fashion, if you style it well, it can go from office desk to brunch without changing shoes. Comfort is no longer the opposite of fashion. The Accra corporate girl is wearing both. Irish fashion and politics. Irish designer Sarah Gallagher of the ‘Sarah Lorraine’ label is continuing her meteoric rise after being selected as one of the few people to showcase her range at Ireland’s Fashion Week later this year. She is already exporting her clothes worldwide and has her range stocked in shops all around Ireland. Her biggest endorsement is that Irish president Catherine Connolly has worn her designs on many occasions. Its range includes handmade stunning capes made from 100% Merino Wool from the well-known Molloy & Sons and lined with satin, sold across Europe, the USA and Canada. “I will be part of the ‘Irish Heritage Show’ which highlights sustainability, and this is really what my brand is all about-beautiful Irish tweeds and natural fabrics that speak to our rich and vibrant heritage”. What’s special? No favours, no political parties, the president just buys her stuff because she likes it. Do we have things like that here? The Donegal Blazer by Sarah Lorraine

Every Ghanaian is rich. Sounds wrong? You have a mobile phone, or you could not be reading this. Likely, you have a second mobile as well. Maybe you’re driving a car, or your brother or hubby has one. You have a TV. You paid for all these things, or they were given to you by someone who paid for them. Does that make you rich? Sort of. In the developed countries, things are a bit different. Hardly anyone pays cash for things; they buy on credit. So you choose your phone in a provider’s shop (say MTN, Telecel or AirtelTigo), choose a package of so many minutes a month and so much data, sign a contract, and now every month they deduct a certain amount from your bank account until you finish paying, say, for two years. After that, you need to renew your contract. The phone is now yours, but you still need airtime and so forth. For cars, it’s the same, but say over five years. In Europe, they really push credit sales because the hidden interest you are paying is way higher than if you borrowed from the bank. So they make a profit on the sale and a profit on the credit. So, are we rich? At least what we are holding in our hands or are driving around town is ours. And our Golden Stool? It is ours, and it was not decorated with stolen gold and emeralds like most thrones.

Anemia and chicken livers. If you are anemic you can try to solve the issue by taking blood tonic, but better is to change your diet into more iron containing food like kontommire and other green leaves and meat. Meat is not cheap, but chicken livers are, at 43 GHC a kg at Melcom. And easy to cook, fry 2 minutes on both sides, it has it’s own particular flavour and needs nothing else, not even salt.

Babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brains. Boom. Still not worried because you feel ok? Read article in next issue.

No more steaks at the Ecuyer. (Ring Road, opposite Fire Service Headquarters, Osu, Accra) now commonly called, the French Restaurant is one of my favourites. it is near where I live, prices are reasonable and quality is quite good. And I enjoy their roofed outside terrace. I like their steak au poivre (black pepper steak) with haricotes verts (the long green beans), a very tender local beef fillet, better than the imported 5 times frozen stuff, and likely with less antibiotics as well, the local cows only get treated by the vet when they are almost dead. And local cow’s food is more varied than the “Agric cows”. That steak gives me my iron and my protein. The other day the answer was “today no steak”. So I ordered something else but later asked what the reason for the no streak was. Had everybody ordered steak and they ran out of stock? No, they couldn't get the quality they wanted. Ayeeko, better none than inferior.

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Crocs in the Boardroom? Who is Diane von Fürstenberg, Are you backing up? Package leaflet / Patient information leaflet (PIL) / package insert / drug facts label / package insert, and Lunch at Elmina Castle

Crocs in the Boardroom? The Accra Corporate Girl Said Yes! Let’s be honest: there was a time when Crocs were strictly for quick errands, hospital shifts, beach trips, or that “I’m not leaving the house for anything serious” mood. But fashion has officially changed the rules, and the Accra corporate girl is ready to clock in—with comfort and style. Yes, sis. Crocs can enter the corporate conversation. The secret? Styling them intentionally. The Corporate Crocs Formula: Forget the loud, overly decorated pairs for a moment. For the office, think neutral shades, sleek silhouettes, and elevated styling. Black, cream, beige, brown, navy, and even muted pastels can blend beautifully into a corporate wardrobe. Keep the Rest of the Outfit Polished: Crocs are already making a statement, so let the rest of your outfit say, “Yes, I planned this.” Add a structured handbag, neat hair, simple jewellery, and a clean, well-tailored outfit. The goal is not to look like you forgot your office shoes at home. The goal is to look like you knew exactly what you were doing. Jibbitz? Office Appropriate Edition: Personalising your Crocs can be fun, but maybe don’t turn your shoes into a full amusement park before your Monday morning presentation. Choose a few stylish charms—minimal, chic, and relevant to your personality. Remember: corporate, but make it fun. Who is Diane von Fürstenberg to be awarded the 2026 Couture Council Award from the Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). Born Diane Simone Michele Halfin in Belgium in 1946 (she will be 80 in December), she is best known for her wrap dress. After finishing a strictly non-fashion schooling, she worked as an assistant to fashion photographer's agent Albert Koski in Paris, then moved to Italy to apprentice with the textile manufacturer Angelo Ferretti, where she learned about cut, color and fabric. Here she designed her first wrap tops and skirts as separates, and after seeing a customer wearing the pieces together, Fürstenberg converted the design to a one-piece dress. It is included in the collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She opted to first advertise the wrap dress in Women's Wear Daily in 1974, and included the tagline: “Feel like a woman, wear a dress!” Soon after the launch, 25,000 dresses were selling each week; one million dresses had been sold by 1976. After the success of the wrap dress, von Fürstenberg was featured on the cover of Newsweek magazine in 1976. The accompanying article declared her “the most marketable woman since Coco Chanel.” Fürstenberg relaunched her company in 1997, and reintroduced the wrap dress, which gained popularity with a new generation of women. Her fashion company, Diane von Furstenberg (DvF), is available in over 70 countries and 45 free-standing shops worldwide, with the company's headquarters and flagship boutique located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. Von Fürstenberg at the 2008 New York Fashion Week

Are you backing up? Yes? In the cloud? Your phone(s)? And your laptop or Ipad? I often see whatsapp postings like: lost all my data, repeat all messages, lost all my numbers etc. So not everyone is doing the right thing. Personally I do write phone numbers of those who are really dear to me on an old fashioned piece of paper. And I do small size prints of pictures of very memorial people and events, I don't trust that cloud too much and I don't trust myself too much. I adore an Accra painter, Nii Korley and have bought some of his paintings to adorn my walls. Recently he contacted me, he‘d lost all the pictures of his paintings, his life's work. I sent back a few things he had sent to me earlier and I got a warm so grateful for giving me something important to take me back my studio of creativity. I replied: I'll find some more and got thank you so much for your sacrifice despite your busy schedule. The man is obviously in pain and now contacting anyone who might have pictures of his work. I know a TV program creator. She’s originated things like Ghana's Most Beautiful and many other well known programs. Because I have a few very smart computer friends she came to me, her hard disc had crashed, could I get it repaired? We couldn't. She’d lost 3 month of recordings. And I asked a fashion model for some pictures of her previous catwalk shows. Lost my phone, she answered. Backing up?

Package leaflet / Patient information leaflet (PIL) / package insert / drug facts label / package insert. Most of us don't even know the word for this. It’s that folded paper with fine print in the box of medicines you bought. And the majority of us don't read it anyway. Wrong. Let’s say you have a headache and have decided to take paracetamol. It’s an over-the-counter drug, OTC, so you don't need a prescription. Next to pharmacies, which are supposed to always have a qualified pharmacist present to always advise you about the drug you buy and the ailment you have, ordinary chemical sellers are also allowed to sell it. So much blah-blah text for simple paracetamol? Yes. If you would read that “PIL” (Patient information leaflet), you would learn that the maximum you can take is maximum one 1000 mg tablet per minimum 4 hours, and not more than 4000 mg per day. And that it can make you vomit, give stomach upset, rash, itching, swelling of face and lips, and dizziness. Here’s the interesting part: you had a headache, but now you have itching and a swollen face as well, so you rush back to the pharmacy, for another pill (and more money spent). Whilst stopping the paracetamol would also have done the trick. So read the PIL and recognize a side effect as a side effect, rather than a strange disease. And if you take more than that 4000 mg? It may be toxic to your liver, cause liver failure, and even death. Chemical seller did not tell you? He just sells PILS?

Lunch at Elmina Castle. This is on the World Heritage list (something passed down from past generations, including traditions, culture, property, and values) of UNESCO, meaning the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It draws a fair crowd of tourists, including busloads of school children. Unfortunately, often the bus leaves Accra late and the road currently is very bad for a big part, so once arrived late at the castle, the kids can take a selfie and then the journey goes back home. Pity, it is worth a visit and with the guides one gets a better understanding of Ghana’s history. A worthwhile recent addition is the café, Anomansa Restaurant. After the visit, one can take a decent jollof, and the spring rolls are crackling fresh, at reasonable prices. Service is prompt. Seating inside, quiet, or a bit up, outside with a splendid look over Elmina’s fishing harbour, which in itself is worth a UNESCO World Heritage nomination. And Ghana has many places worth visiting, for the locals and for the foreign tourists. Shame that mostly the hotel service is poor and not up to the international standards the tourists expect.

Lydia...

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