This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Sneakers in the Boardroom? Just for Shows, Stress, Is the world gone mad? Imported bottled water, and Full Moon this Sunday

Sneakers in the Boardroom? Yes, Please. Gone are the days when corporate fashion meant suffering in stiff heels from 8 to 5. The modern Accra girl is rewriting the rules—and sneakers are officially invited to the boardroom. Comfort meets chic, and honestly? We’re here for it. The Power Suit x Clean Sneakers Combo Nothing says “I mean business” like a tailored suit. Now soften it with crisp white sneakers. Think structured blazer, tailored trousers, and sneakers so clean they practically reflect your ambition. It’s giving CEO-on-the-move energy. Pencil Skirt, But Make It Cool Pair your classic pencil skirt with sleek, low-profile sneakers. Add a tucked-in blouse and minimal jewelry. The contrast between polished and relaxed? Effortlessly stylish. Bonus: you can actually walk fast to that meeting. Midi Dresses & Street-Smart Elegance. Flowy midi dresses and sneakers are the ultimate soft power combo. Whether it’s neutral tones or subtle prints, this pairing says “I’m graceful, but I’ve got places to be.” Anticipate for more style tips in next blog. Just for Shows. To buy a new Hermès Birkin bag is a long process. There are no published rules but typically you get told they are out of stock until you’ve bought regularly, for about 2 years, total goods worth between 30 and 50,000 $. Shoes, silk, jewelry, watches, and then maybe you are told that the bag happens to be available, at about 13500 $. That is entry level, they also sell some models for 60,000 and 250,000$, depends on the fine details. Or ask for customized, starting at 250k dollar or so. You can then immediately sell your 13500 dollars entry level bag as a second hand bag for 20,000 $ and more. But there’s a way around it, hire a Birkin bag, for about 800 dollars a month (9600 GHC). You can hire a second hand Birkin bag from one of the companies that is now springing up to provide this service, like Vivrelle, a luxury accessories rental company. Nothing new, people used to hire wedding dresses, or smoking for gala dinners. You can also hire jewelry or other accessories. And arrive in a hired top range car. Or you can just go to Makola and buy a bag for 150 GHC.

Stress. I regularly hear that someone is stressed. Ok, we all have money problems but being stressed does not solve them, rather looking for ways to control our budget and to get a better inflow may help. Maybe our smart phone is responsible. How did people in the past live? Sleep early, get up early, maybe listen to the morning news, no disturbing traffic jams to the work place, no mobile phone disturbances during the day or evening, simple food, no running from burger to fries, pizza and shawarma, no trends to follow, no friends to be connected on social media, just real friends you meet, no latest film to must have seen, just a a new dress for Christmas and highlife in the weekend. Life was relatively simple and these people did not complain that they were bored. And they were not stressed. But today we have a huge amount of information flowing towards us every hour, with instagram and tiktok accounts to be followed, trends to be studied, and things we don't really need to be bought. And we are stressed. Sometimes I read that very successful people only start to look at their phones late in the day, and forbid them for their children. We come from nature, we lived in a village where not much changed, the information coming to us was limited. And we were not stressed.

Is the world gone mad? Christie’s, the world's oldest and most successful art and luxury auction house (2025 sales 3.5 billion US Dollar), sold for 1.1 USD billion in just 3 hours 2 weeks ago. The surprising thing is what was sold. I can imagine that a painting of an old master, say a Rembrandt, or Michelangelo goes for a lot of money, these things are extremely scarce and have been valued already for centuries. But what was sold now? A Pollock (1912–56), called Number 7A went for 181 million Dollars. Constantin Brancusi’s bronze head, Danaïde (1913), fetched $107.6 million. And Mark Rothko’s nr 11 sold for 98 million. Time to go to the Ghana tourist market and start investing?

Imported bottled water. These waters typically are from long existing natural springs or, these days, also from boreholes. Sometimes they naturally contain carbon dioxide gas, giving the water nice little bubbles, sparkling water. Famous ones in Ghana are Pellegrini from Italy and Perrier from France. Somehow they’ve both ran out of bubbles and now add them, and this is (supposed to be) mentioned on the label. But a recently discovered problem is that many of these springs and boreholes are now polluted with the leftovers from chemical industries or the run off from agricultural pesticides and fertilizers. Some of these chemicals are the so called PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals widely used for their water, grease, and heat-resistant properties. Known as “forever chemicals,” they feature exceptionally strong carbon-fluorine bonds, meaning they do not break down naturally in the environment or the human body. Many of them are carcinogens). A recent edition of a French consumer magazine mentioned that Pellegrini is passing the allowable limits, Perrier not yet (yet?). This is not a French/Italian competition, this French consumer magazine condemned more than half of the French brands as well. So maybe ordinary local Ghanaian water is our best bet, whether with added bubbles or not.

Full Moon this Sunday. This Sunday's full moon is the phase where the moon appears fully illuminated as seen from Earth, due to its position directly opposite the sun. It is the brightest stage of the lunar cycle and is visible all night, rising at sunset and setting at sunrise.

Lydia...

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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: Fascinator for corporate!!!, Menstrual Problems, and Ilona, Italian Restaurant

Fascinator for corporate!!! Let’s talk about how to bring a fascinator into the office without looking like you missed your way to a bridal shower. Hair matters. A lot. Low buns, slick ponytails, or soft waves keep the look polished and office-appropriate. You want “boardroom chic,” not “garden party chaos.” Placement is also key—slightly to the side, confident but not chaotic. Let’s talk accessories—less is more, babe. Skip the chunky earrings if your fascinator already has detail. Opt for simple studs or delicate hoops. Your goal is harmony, not a fashion argument. And of course, own it. The real secret to pulling off a fascinator at work? Confidence. Walk into that office like your outfit has a calendar invite. When styled right, your fascinator isn’t out of place—it’s ahead of its time. Because honestly, why should fascinators only come out for special occasions… when every workday is a chance to serve a look and be present!!! Menstrual Problems. What are Menstrual Problems? Menstrual problems are difficulties or symptoms that occur during a woman’s menstrual period. They can affect the amount of bleeding, the level of pain, or the regularity of the menstrual cycle. These problems may be caused by hormonal changes, stress, poor diet, medical conditions, or lifestyle factors. Common menstrual problems include menstrual cramps (pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation), heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular periods (periods that come too early, too late, or are missed), headaches during menstruation, nausea or dizziness, lower back pain, fatigue and weakness. Foods that can increase menstrual problems may include salty foods (may increase bloating and water retention), sugary foods like sweets, pastries, and soft drinks (may increase inflammation and fatigue), caffeinated drinks such as coffee and energy drinks (can worsen cramps and headaches), fried and very fatty foods (may increase inflammation and pain), highly processed foods such as instant noodles and packaged snacks. And foods that can help reduce menstrual problems are spinach, beans, lentils, eggs, fish, banana, avocado, dark chocolate (small amounts), nuts, ginger, turmeric, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, milk, yogurt and cheese. We can also reduce menstrual problems by drinking plenty of water, applying a warm compress or heating pad to the lower abdomen, exercising lightly such as walking or stretching and getting enough rest and sleep and avoiding too much stress.

Ilona, Italian Restaurant, 1st Floor, Ayna Plaza, 3B Noi Fetreke St, Airport Residential Area, Accra. We were told for a good lasagna Ilona was the best so we booked a table for the evening. We could sit outside, on a sort of open covered terrace, or inside with the air conditioner. The set up is nice, spacious, Picassso style pictures on the wall, modern. Anytime I visit an Italian restaurant for the first time I’ll order a spaghetti carbonara, for me this is the testcase to see whether the cook knows what he is about or they are just opening packages and heating them in the microwave. Their linguini carbonara went for 260 GHC. For the lasagna their only choice was lamb lasagna at GHC 275. linguini carbonara Lasagna is slices of pasta with fillings between them, then in the oven with cheese. Main variations are beef, fish, and vegetarian.
Lasagna A tot of absolute vodka went for GHC 50, Ciroc is 90, a bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water for 55 GHC and half liter of Heineken draft beer was at 75 GHC. Service was reasonable but a few too many waiters for too few things. The food arrived in no time, faster than you can cook pasta, and the lasagna was a sort of mash mash where the layers of pasta had been overcooked, you could not even cut pieces off it, a spoon was best. The minced lamb was rather tasteless. I am not a lasagna expert but for the carbonara I have my say. One softly fries diced onions in olive oil, then some garlic, then little cubes of smoked guanciale (salt cured cheek of a pig, if not available smoked bacon can do), the very lean fat from the guanciale will allow further frying and together with the onion and the garlic becomes the sauce, then add dry white wine which evaporates but which gives it extra flavour. Guanciale Take the ready cooked hot spaghetti, (be careful with the salt because the guanciale is also a bit salty), put a raw egg yolk through it, the heat of the spaghetti will soft cook the yolk which now becomes a lubricant for the spaghetti to “flow”. No cream needed. Add your sauce, some freshly ground black pepper and parsley and enjoy your spaghetti carbonara, or linguini carbonara. Add grated parmesan cheese according to your taste. I hope their cook reads this, he had added a bucket load of hot cream with a little molten cheese to the linguini and sprinkled a few pieces of thin dry fried bacon on top of it. And I think he forgot the salt. The cream made it extra heavy, I only managed to fall asleep after midnight. We did take away the uneaten half of the lasagna pudding because my friend has backyard chicken. This came with a nice paper bag and a carton container rather than the common polytene container, and they did not charge for it. A plus. Washrooms are neat and pleasant as well. Prices are inclusive of all taxes, but the bill took more than 10 minutes.

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: MET GALA 2, Fashion and politics, Premenstrual Problems (PMS), Derbies, The Rolling Stones, never say die, and Akyaa’s kitchen

MET GALA 2. Let’s get into the Fashion is Art… but maybe abstract? Hall of fame. Because when the theme is Fashion is Art, the line between genius and chaos gets deliciously blurry. And honestly, we’d rather see a risky misstep than another safe, predictable gown. Now let’s talk about fabric confusion. Because apparently, 2026 said, “Why choose one texture when you can choose all of them?” Feathers, latex, burlap (yes, burlap), and what looked suspiciously like recycled office blinds were all layered into one ambitious look. It was giving mixed media… but also giving “craft project at 2am.” Maximalism is fun, but even art needs editing. Of course, we cannot skip the “Message Overload” fits. Fashion as art often comes with storytelling, but one celeb decided to wear the entire thesis. Words, symbols, embroidery, LED scrolling text—yes, scrolling text—covered the outfit. By the time you finished reading one side, they had already passed you on the carpet. We love a concept, but darling, this isn’t a billboard on the Accra-Tema motorway. So here’s to the brave, the bold, and the slightly bewildering. You may not have nailed the brief… but you definitely gave us something to talk about. And isn’t that, in its own messy way, a masterpiece? Fashion and politics. Big runways have often been used to make statements. Cameras and global press are guaranteed, and animal rights groups have rushed runways to protest fur and leather, climate activists have staged walk-ons to call out fast fashion’s environmental impact and so forth. A 30-second interruption gets more coverage than a press release. Sometimes the brand itself creates the disturbance, to draw more attention. Australia fashion week now also had it’s share. Part of Australia originally was a colony where Britain sent it’s criminals, later additional colonies were created and eventually the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. But all that while there were the Aboriginals who had settled there 60,000 years earlier and had their own culture, and who claim that in fact Australia has always belonged to them and still does. But they were marginalized by “the invader”, like the red Indians in North America and at one time the blacks in South Africa. So to draw attention they have now created their own fashion show, a week before the “official” Australian fashion week, so a clever way to draw attention to their cause without being accused of disturbing anyone. And the show was worth looking at.

Premenstrual Problems (PMS) also called Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), are physical and emotional symptoms that you experience a few days or even two weeks before your menses begins. They occur due to hormonal changes in the body. Common problems are acne or pimples, anxiety, appetite and food cravings, bloating (feeling swollen in the stomach), breast pain and tenderness, Difficulty sleeping, feeling sad or emotional, headaches, irritability, mood swings, tiredness. Some foods can make it worse, like alcohol (can worsen mood and headaches), caffeine such as coffee, strong tea and energy drinks (may increase anxiety and breast pain), fatty or fried foods, instant noodles, processed foods (can increase bloating), salty foods such as chips, sugary foods such as cakes, sweets, and soft drinks (can worsen mood swings), so stay away from fat, sugar and junk foods. There are also foods that help reduce the problems, like avocado, bananas, beans, brown rice, carrots, cheese, cucumber. dark chocolate (in small amounts), eggs, fish, kontommire, lentils, oats, spinach and whole wheat bread. So eat healthy. And try it, maybe it helps. Drink plenty of water, do light exercise or walking, get enough sleep and reduce stress.

Derbies. Are horse races, typically the horse is 3 years old, when you can about expect the best performances. So the Royal Ascot I wrote about in blog nr. 174 on the 17th of October 2025 is in fact a derby, Meanwhile some of these simple horse races have become world events, there is the Epsom derby (the original one, in UK, since 1780), the Kentucky derby, (USA), the Melbourne derby (Australia) the Irish derby, the French derby, every country is now trying to make it’s own, and there are more. And for unknown reasons horse races are now associated with fashion. Maybe the galls inviting the girls to their races but the girls not really being interested has created a second race, who has the biggest hat and the men now wear derby hats, same thing as worn by Charlie Chaplin. It’s show business..

The Rolling Stones, never say die. This rock group was formed in 1962, 64 year ago, and is releasing a new album this year. You read that right, 1962. The group has had an enormous influence on music, but maybe more on culture. Until the 60’s boy’s hair was short and a necktie was compulsory almost everywhere. The Stones (and not only them) broke through this, and the youth followed. The results are there for all to see today, neckties are now mostly used to bundle goods, and any hairstyle is allowed. And sexual norms changed, you did not have to be married to have sex. And drugs were (unfortunately) popularised as well. Mick Jagger (vocals) and Keith Richards (lead guitar) are the 2 original surviving members, Charlie Watts passed in 2021.
Mick Jagger in the middle still wearing tie in 1962 Mick Jagger now 82 still jumps about on stage, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he will die in a way worthy a show man. Mick Jagger at 82 Both Jagger and Richards are worth about 500 million dollars. A song for a dime? (from their 1973 album “Goats Head Soup”, referring to the jukebox where you put in a dime (5 cents) to hear a song. The Rolling Stones, Foreign Tongues, features star-strudded guest collaborations with Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, Steve Winwood and Chad Smith and the lead single-In The Stars will be released on the 10th of July on CD's, vinyl and cassettes.

Akyaa’s kitchen. We ordered jollof beef delivered but had jollof with beef on top, a bit like shredded beef you get a the the Chinese. Not too much taste in the beef and quite tough as well, long chewing.

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: MET fails gone wild, Chanel, and +233 Jazz club and Grill

MET fails gone wild. The Met Gala is an annual fundraising gala held on the first Monday in May to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. It is where fashion is supposed to transcend into art… but every year, a few looks accidentally transcend into confusion instead. And 2026? Oh, it gave us drama, ambition, and a handful of “what exactly am I looking at?” moments that we simply cannot ignore. With stars like Beyoncé and Rihanna gracing the 2026 Met Gala red carpet, Beyoncé's return after nearly a decade away became one of the night's biggest highlights, especially at an event where a single ticket reportedly costs up to $100,000. First up, the “Living Sculpture Gone Rogue” category. You know the look: structured, architectural, and bold—until it starts wearing the celebrity instead of the other way around. One star arrived looking like a walking installation piece, complete with jutting metallic extensions that made sitting, turning, or even waving nearly impossible. Art? Yes. Practical? Absolutely not. The Met steps turned into an obstacle course, and honestly, the security guards deserved an award too. Then there was the “Paint Me Like One of Your French Girls… Literally” moment. A celebrity showed up fully airbrushed in what seemed like a tribute to body-as-canvas artistry. In theory, stunning. In reality? Under the flash photography, the paint read less “ethereal masterpiece” and more “accidentally brushed against a wet mural.” The vision was there… the execution just needed a little less humidity and a little more sealing spray. And then there’s the “Is It Moving or Am I?” category. Kinetic fashion made a bold appearance, with pieces that spun, blinked, inflated, or shifted shape mid-carpet. One dress dramatically expanded like a blooming flower… and then refused to deflate. Iconic entrance? Yes. Smooth exit? Not quite. The after-party logistics must have been a nightmare. But here’s the thing about Met Gala “fails”—they’re rarely boring. In fact, they’re often the most memorable. Chanel. This is an interesting brand, not owned by LVMH or Kering or Dior who own the majority of the big brands amongst themselves. I’ll write about the original founder of Chanel in another blog, quite an intriguing story with lessons for today. Chanel is primarily known for perfumes, though today they do fashion and cosmetics/skincare as well. Chanel Nr 5 is their top performing perfume and also the world‘s top selling perfume. It was created in 1921 by Ernest Beaux, a French Russian national who was the former perfumer for the Russian Tsars (overthrown in 1917, so Beaux was probably looking for a job). And every 30 ml bottle of Chanel Nr 5 perfume (a “small” size bottle) contains about 1000 jasmine flowers, and about 80 other scents. And not just any jasmine, only jasmine from the Grasse area in France. The real connoisseurs claim that every flower partly takes its scent from the soil it is grown on, like wine. So jasmine from Grasse smells different from jasmine grown in Ghana. Jasmine, a tiny flower, opens at night and is harvested as the sun comes up, when the blooms are at their most fragrant. Each one is picked by hand; they're too delicate for machines. The harvest ends before the midday heat can damage the petals, which are kept covered with a wet cloth so they stay cool. The blooms are then rushed to an on-site factory where the fragrance is extracted using a 150-year-old technique developed in Grasse. Speed is essential. If the flowers brown, the scent changes and “they smell of bad fruit”. Jasmine is placed into a vat and steeped overnight, like tea and eventually the concentrated form of jasmine, called absolute, is sent to a factory near Paris where a few drops go into each bottle of Chanel No.5. Today Chanel No.5 is available in five main concentrations, offering variations from the intense, original parfum to lighter, modern interpretations. The primary concentrations include the Parfum (Extrait), Eau de Parfum (EDP), Eau de Toilette (EDT), Eau Première, and L'EAU. These range from rich floral-aldehydic blends to brighter, citrus-forward versions. A 30 ml bottle of Chanel 5 perfume (the concentrated form) sells for about $250-$300, the same but presented as eau de parfum about 10 times less strong goes for $100-$150 and eau de tolette again 10 times weaker goes for $80-$120. Let’s hope that climate change does not affect the Grasse jasmine cultivation as well.
Flower fields in Grasse And careful, Chanel nr 5 perfume stains.

+233 Jazz club and Grill. Dr. Isert Street, North Ridge, Accra, may be going over its top. They recently extended the seating and parking area and have more and more entrance fee events, (150 per person in our case). One could say currently it is the place to be. I like their sound system which is clear and never too loud to block your conversation. But their kitchen starts to suffer. The jollof beef fish was ok, but their beef kebab was over marinated and not juicy again, the pina colada (rhum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice) is not that creamy any more and the bora bora cocktail (typically passion fruit juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and grenadine) tasted more like watermelon, apple and pineapple, and was watery. And though they have 2 vodkas at 25 GHC on the menu they don’t have these, prices start at 35 GHC (which is quite reasonable compared with other places). Their cocktails ranges from GHS 80-120 for a glass of Mojito, GHS 100-150 for their special cocktails and GHS 120-180 for their brandy-based Espresso Martini.

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: Fascinators at 9AM? 75 years history, Cocktails, Traumatic amnesia, Papa’s Pizza,1st May Public holiday, and 1st May Full Moon

Fascinators at 9AM? Oh, We’re Absolutely Doing That. Who said fascinators are only for weddings, race days, and those “plus one but make it extra” invitations? The modern corporate girlie in Accra knows no such limits. If blazers can be bold and heels can be loud, then your headpiece can absolutely have a personality too. First things first: keep it intentional, not theatrical. Your fascinator should whisper “style icon,” not scream “centerpiece.” Think sleek designs, structured shapes, and neutral tones—black, beige, navy, or even a soft brown moment. This isn’t the time for oversized feathers doing the most. Now, pair it with clean, powerful silhouettes. A well-tailored suit? Perfect. A structured midi dress? Even better. The key is balance—if your head is making a statement, your outfit should nod in agreement, not start a competition. Minimalist outfits let the fascinator shine like the CEO it is. Anticipate next blog for hairstyles inspo for corporate fascinator baddie!!! 75 years history. A friend invited me to her grandpa’s 75th anniversary. I was not really interested, knowing that it would be a boring formality, and off late I am once again on a diet to shed the bad side effects of a too good life. But she convinced me, and things turned out differently. Grandpa looked like he was 55 and even made a pass at me and the cake was there all right, but he complained that the prices were now crazy, some going for over 5000-6000 GHC and they were too sweet. He had fresh fruit juices, orange, pineapple, banana and mango and was inventing cocktails on the spot, with a vodka or pastis basis. Both turned out to be almost lethal and we soon had a lot of conversation going. He mentioned that he had no problem with modern technology and that anyway as no one was going to listen to him he’d better join the party. He was using the AI on his smartphone very regularly, but prudently, and said it was the best thing since the fax machine (I’ve never seen one operating). He admitted having only a facebook account, with only 2 friends. We started laughing but he looked at us and said “I know, but these are real friends”. But he wanted to remind us of the 80’s, Rawlings’ beginning years. There were no mobile phones and to make an international call you had to book it at the central post office. And pay grease, and then you would only get 10 minutes or so. Dumsor was averagely 15 hours a day and they had a system, one day almost fully off and then one day almost fully on. Air conditioners were not allowed. Petrol was rationed at 20 liters a week, that is if you could get the coupons, so there was a huge black market with prices 10 times the official price. The Dollar was sold 10 times the official rate at the black market and if you were caught you risked Gondar Barracks where you were shaved with glass from broken bottles. If you were lucky. All imported foods were in short supply and very essentials like baby milk were on coupons as well, with the corresponding black market. He didn’t know of anyone who died of hunger, but people had the so called “Rawlings collar” and many did not survive because of sicknesses resulting from malnutrition and deficiencies. Some people’s hair turned red because of this. And now it pains me, he said, seeing you people buying take away food at Papaye and so, and throwing half away. You don’t throw food away, he said.

Cocktails. But in this case I am talking about cocktails of pesticides, insecticides and so forth. Example: we know that taking more than 3 grams of paracetamol per day can have adverse effects. We also know that more than 2000-3000 mg of vitamin C can have adverse effects (yes, an overdose of supplements can be bad for you). But what about the 2 combined? Their cocktail? For the most common drugs we take it is known which ones don’t combine well. And for the majority of agricultural pesticide residues there are limits as to the quantity of residues that are allowed in the food before they really start to create havoc. But for the cocktails? Since 20 years the European food safety authority has been instructed to look at the cocktail effects, rather than the effect of single pesticides. They have not (yet) done so. So in Europe they don’t know where they are going. Do we?

Traumatic amnesia. Something very serious happened to you (say rape when you were a child) and in order to protect your peace of mind the mind “forgets” it. A bit like “let's not talk about it”, but that is consciously, traumatic amnesia is unconscious. But the traumatic experience did happen and symptoms appear, depression, difficulty sleeping, food related disorders, addictions, extreme phobias (fears), panics, even gynecological and sexual problems, and skin problems. So if for unexplained reasons you suffer some of these regularly you may want to start digging and trying to remember things, so you can deal with them. Once you “remember” it may bring back a lot of bad things, but better face them and deal with them than have unexplained problems. See a psychiatrist if you can afford it, they will dig professionally and help you to “handle” the bad experiences.

Papa’s Pizza. My host decided to order a chicken pizza from Papa’s Pizza. We were in Asylum down, and to my surprise the thing arrived in 15 minutes. At a cost of 165 GHC. It more than filled the three of us, and though I am particular about pizza’s this one wasn't as bad as many of the others I’ve tasted. The pizza bread itself was crusty, and the cheese had cheese taste. The chicken might have escaped during transport, I never noticed it. I’d give it a pass plus.

1st May Public holiday celebrated globally as International Workers' Day, honouring labour achievements and workers' rights. Originally an ancient spring festival, it was adopted in the late 19th century to commemorate the fight for an eight-hour workday. The 5 days a week only was introduced in Ghana as recent as 1986. France has meanwhile reduced this to 4½ days, the Netherlands is experimenting with 4 days a week, and Iceland has already approved it.

1st May Full Moon. Prediction is partly cloudy, so you should be able to see something when the moon rises immediately after sunset, in the south east. If you are in Accra look at the direction to Tema, or the direction the Muslims pray. Connecting with nature reduces stress.

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: Body on corporate, Beautiful eyes, long lashes, thick eyebrows, Violence against women, and The world is mad

Body on corporate. Corporate girlies, let’s talk about the real MVP hiding in your wardrobe: the bodysuit. Yes, that sleek, snatched, no-tucking-needed lifesaver. Imagine this—you’re rushing from a morning meeting in Osu to a client lunch in Airport, and your shirt is doing that annoying bunching thing under your skirt. Naaa, Not today!!! The bodysuit said “I’ve got you.” Clean lines, smooth fit, and zero fuss. Effortless chic? We love to see it. Pair a neutral-toned bodysuit with high-waisted tailored trousers and suddenly you’re giving “CEO energy with soft glam.” Throw on a blazer? Instant authority. Swap the trousers for a pencil skirt? Hello, boardroom baddie. And can we talk versatility? From classic black and crisp white to soft nudes and even bold jewel tones for the daring corporate babe—bodysuits are that girl. Minimal effort, maximum polish. Pro tip: go for breathable fabrics (Accra heat is not your mate), and choose styles with subtle details—square necklines, long sleeves, or a touch of ribbing—to keep things interesting yet office-appropriate. Bottom line? The bodysuit is not just a basic—it’s a power move. Tucked, tailored, and totally unstoppable. Now go forth and serve structure, style, and a little sass!!! Beautiful eyes, long lashes, thick eyebrows. If you have these you hardly need any eye make up again. To help the lashes and eyebrows grow you can use serums, for example from RevitaLash, Rosegold or Orphica. How does it work? These products contain molecules looking like prostaglandines which naturally occur in our bodies. And they interfere with them. Thus increasing the risk of cancer, fertility disturbances and generally affecting our bodies. Anything wrong with what God gave you?

Violence against women. In Ghana it is difficult to find out how many women were murdered last year by (ex) partners or through rape (sometimes with robbery) but a fair estimate is between 25 and 60. And these murders are not called homicide but femicide. Emancipation is one of the origins. As women accept less dominance from their partners, some of these (ex) partners think that brutal force is the answer. Many women will apply neutralization after violence, minimizing the abuse, excusing their partners behaviour. Statistics show that on average a woman was abused about 33 times before she went to police or DOVVSU. Wrong. Put it into the open straight away, tell family, friends, shame him. Maybe not the very first time, but definitely if there is a second time. Shame him or he will become convinced that this is the way to handle you. Isolating yourself from the facts and friends and family is exactly what he is looking for. So that he regains control. And violence based on (sometimes rightful) jealousy? Go to the police straight away and let him be told to stay out of your way.

The world is mad. This is the heading of a regular feature I am going to introduce into this blog, starting today. There is wine and wine, and there is indeed more to it than red and white and sweet and “dry” (the opposite of sweet, but not sour). For most of us a bottle costing 100-200 GHC will do the trick perfectly, but some want to go a bit further. I don’t want to go further, a bottle of wine which was shipped from South Africa or South America or Europe to Africa in a container, being shaken by the ships engines for 2 or 3 weeks (while wine is supposed to lay quietly in wine cellars at a constant low temperature) and which is then more or less cooked in that same container in Tema harbour for another 1 or 2 weeks before it is cleared cannot be anything than pure chemicals, not a wine which is alive. So I refuse to spend real money on that. And ever had headache after drinking wine? Yes, they add so much sulfur to make sure that that wine does not start to ferment again after all this ill treatment that in fact what you are drinking is a Chateau Migraine. Nail in your head. Anyway, not allq wine is bad and on Saturday, March 28 2026 one bottle of a 1945 Romanée-Conti Pinot Noir (Burgundy, France) sold for 700,000 euros (say 10 million new Ghana cedis), the most expensive bottle of wine in the world, at auction house Acker Wines in New York. Domaine (wine estate) Romanée-Conti, is one of the great wines of the Côte de Nuits vineyards, in Burgundy area, France. The record in France for this vintage of Romanée-Conti was 174,840 euros. This bottle with the stained label is one of only 600 produced in 1945, just before the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti uprooted the old vines to replant them afterwards, due to the threat of phylloxera. (Wine’s equivalent to our Black pod disease in Cocoa). 1945 was also an exceptional vintage for Pinot Noir, following a hot, dry summer. This makes it one of the rarest and most prestigious wines in the world. John Kapon, president of Acker, said “We made history this weekend. I've only had the privilege of tasting the 1945 Romanée-Conti three times in my life, and it's the greatest wine I've ever tasted.” Wine in Burgundy, auction prices for Hospices de Nuits wines soar. And a Château Lafite-Rothschild from 1869 fetched $233,000 in Hong Kong in 2010. Taste the difference?

Lydia...

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This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Don’t Forget Texture Play: Blue and brown get even better when you mix textures, Tattoos, Carbohydrates, and Saffron Saga Indian Restaurant

Don’t Forget Texture Play: Blue and brown get even better when you mix textures: Satin blue blouse + matte brown trousers Navy crepe dress + suede brown heels Light blue cotton shirt + structured leather bag Texture makes the outfit feel expensive—even when you’re shopping smart at the big city boutiques like FashionGhana shop Asylum down. Why This Combo Feels So Right for the Corporate Girl Blue represents trust and intelligence. Brown represents reliability and stability. Isn’t that exactly what the modern Accra corporate woman embodies? You’re navigating traffic, meetings, side hustles, networking events—and still showing up impeccably dressed. Blue and brown understands that duality. Style Note : If black feels too predictable and red feels too loud, blue and brown is your sweet spot. It’s classy. It’s mature. It’s fresh. It’s corporate confidence wrapped in warmth. So next time you’re standing in front of your wardrobe thinking, “How do I look powerful but different?” Reach for blue. Add brown. Walk into that office like you own shares. Because honestly? You probably will soon. Tattoos. We see them more and more, but I do suggest you use stickers which can be taken off after the party. Tattoos affect your immune system in ways we're just beginning to understand. From wrist designs to full sleeves, body art has become so common that it barely raises an eyebrow. Tattoo inks contain pigments that give colour, liquid carriers that help distribute the ink, preservatives to prevent microbial growth, and small amounts of impurities. But most of these pigments were originally developed for industrial applications such as car paint, plastics, and printer toner, rather than for injection into your skin. Some of these inks contain nickel, chromium, cobalt, and occasionally lead. These are toxic and are well known for triggering allergic reactions and immune sensitivity. Tattoo inks can also contain organic compounds, including azo dyes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can break down into aromatic amines which are linked to cancer and genetic damage. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced during the incomplete burning of organic material and are found in soot, vehicle exhaust, and charred food. Tattooing involves injecting ink deep into the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the surface. The body recognizes pigment particles as foreign material. Immune cells attempt to remove them, but the particles are too large to be fully cleared. Instead, they become trapped inside skin cells, which is what makes tattoos permanent. Tattoo inks do not just remain confined to the skin, pigment particles can migrate through the lymphatic system and accumulate in lymph nodes, small structures that filter immune cells and help coordinate immune responses. Tattoo ink is taken up by immune cells in the skin. When these cells die, they release signals that keep the immune system activated, leading to inflammation in nearby lymph nodes for up to two months. Tattoo ink present at a vaccine injection site alters immune responses in a vaccine-specific way. Notably, it was associated with a reduced immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine. Thus tattoo pigments can interfere with immune signaling, the chemical communication system immune cells use to coordinate responses to infection or vaccinations. Many cancers take decades to develop, making these risks difficult to study directly, especially given how widespread tattooing recently has become. All this can be avoided by using stick-ons. But if you really insist to put his name on your buttock? Nothing is permanent, but a tattoo is.

Carbohydrates. There’s a lot if them in cassava, plantain, yam, maize, millet, and rice. Typically about 70 % of our diet consists of carbohydrates, call them a form of sugars. That may have been fine when we lived in the village, got up early, walked to the farm, used hoe and machete to plant and weed and harvest, walked back home with some food and firewood when it was starting to be hot, and repeated same in the afternoon. Yes, that took a lot of energy, and carbohydrate supplied that. But now our lifestyles have changed, we hardly do any manual labour again, we even simulate it by going to the gym, and we don’t walk much again. So the carbohydrates are not burned and there’s a lot of sugar in our blood for long periods. This will result in weight gain, and an increased diabetes risk. Recognize anybody? So eat more veggies and bring that carbo thing down to 40-50 %. Veggies expensive? Yes, some are. Others, like e.g. carrots and cabbage are affordable.

Saffron Saga Indian Restaurant. 11th Lane, Salvation Road, behind La Villa Boutique in Osu, Accra, of late is one of my favourites. Service is very prompt, the manager is constantly in the restaurant supervising, they have Heineken draft beer @ 52 GHC per half liter (funny price, taxes). We had the crispy canvas humus, a must try though it is too big for 2 persons, a great South Indian fish curry which I found a bit disappointing, the fish was slightly overcooked and I had expected the curry to be “hotter”. Curry in fact is a mixture of spices, mainly turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger and chilies, and Indian curry, Thai, Japanese and Caribbean are all versions on their own. South Indian curry typically is hotter than northern. We also had friend rice chicken where the chicken is cooked into the rice, with spices, a bit like beef into jollof. Nice.

Lydia...

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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: Blue & Brown: The Corporate Girl’s Soft Power Combo, Haute couture, PFAS, Sunday evening football, and Airport food prices

Blue & Brown: The Corporate Girl’s Soft Power Combo. Let’s talk about a colour duo that doesn’t scream for attention—but still owns the room: blue and brown. Denim Blue for Casual Corporate Fridays Casual Friday in Accra is not for lazy dressing. It’s for strategic chic. Pair: Dark blue structured denim, Brown blazer, Brown loafers or block heels, Statement bag. It says, “Relaxed—but still CEO in training.” Bonus tip: Add a brown belt to pull everything together. That detail? Elite behaviour. Royal Blue + Cognac = Statement Maker Got a presentation? Speaking on a panel? Hosting a corporate event? Royal blue dress. Cognac heels. Cognac structured bag. The richness of the brown tones down the boldness of royal blue, creating balance. You look powerful, but polished. And under Accra lights? Stunning. Haute couture (is French for high sewing, high dress making ). This immediately takes us to the Paris runways during the Paris fashion week where world famous brands like Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Saint Laurent, are the absolute “must sees”, alongside modern favorites such as Jacquemus, Sézane, and Balmain. Chanel will spend an easy 1-2 million Dollar just for that show. Lucky we are in Ghana where 4-8000 GHC towards the organizers is more the norm. Add your own expenses and you end up paying 6-12000 GHC to show your collection here, less than 1000 $. But then of course that is Accra, not Paris. So what is haute couture and who invented it? Haute couture is the creation of exclusive, custom-fitted clothing made entirely by hand from high-quality fabrics by expert artisans. It represents the pinnacle of fashion artistry, with garments tailored to specific clients and often taking hundreds of hours to complete. So that will cost a bit. A Chanel haute couture dress starts around $40,000 – $80,000 for day-wear pieces, while bridal or heavily embroidered gowns can run $100,000 – $250,000. The advantage is that you won’t bump into someone wearing the same dress. (If you do? Just stand next to the person and say you are twins). And now the surprise: Haute couture was started in Paris in 1858 by Englishman Charles Frederic Worth, who started the house of Worth and showed custom labeled collections on live models, a first at that time. Not related to Woolworth.

PFAS. There’s big talk about pfas (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) these days, overshadowing the alarm about microplastics. In practice there’s not much difference between the 2, they ought not be there but they are there and everywhere, and in a big way. The long and the short of it is that both microplastics and pfas enter our body through the air we breathe and the food we eat, and will give a big cancer surge, that’s the way our body reacts to foreign particles it does not recognize. But you can reduce the risks a bit by trying to stay away from these things as much as you can. Buy less things packed in plastic and use less plastic, and stay away from the pfas. Where are these pfas? For our day to day here we can say they are in non stick frying pans. Now here’s the catch: Europe is panicking so much now that they’ll soon forbid these non stick frying pans altogether, forbid anything which has pfas in them. So that non stick frying pan factory will close down. Will it? In Africa pfas are not forbidden and I guess it will take some time before we wake up to the problem and take action. So get ready for cheap non stick frying pans. Not kidding, already agrochemicals /pesticides which are forbidden in Europe continue to be produced in Europe for? Export to Africa. They forbade the use of these chemicals, but not the production. Shall we say it was just an oversight? No kidding indeed, there really is nothing to laugh about in this matter.

Sunday evening football. Not being a real football fan I do enjoy the Sunday evening football resumés where you can see plenty goals in a short time without having to sometimes watch for 1 hour 45 minutes for a 0-0 score. And the camera often goes very close up on the scorer's face, and then sometimes you see the quick repeated eye blinking. Like people using drugs. Really? There too?

Airport food prices. I recently had to travel to Germany to prepare for the Berlin Fashion week (2-5 July). At our airport, recently renamed from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport I had a beef burger at “the Pub”, run by Servair. I paid 110 GHC, the beef burger was Ok, the price was OK and the service was OK. Because I had already gone through immigration I was “international’, so no taxes and Vat on that burger. A mini club goes for 35 GHC and 3 samosas for 45 GHC, but they were fried in not hot enough oil which made them fatty and sticky. In Europe I passed through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. I always find that airport a bit scary, knowing that it is at 4 meters below sea level. Hungry as I was I decided to buy a chicken with mayonnaise sandwich. But I didn’t, it was to cost 8.90Euro, 225 GHC. I know that food at airports is more expensive, but this….

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: Fresh Greens for Growth, Luxury fashion becomes luxury food? Early make up? and Dubai

Fresh Greens for Growth: Green, the colour of growth and renewal, is making its mark in corporate Accra this year. From lush emerald to mint and olive, green represents balance, harmony, and freshness. Whether you’re walking into a client meeting or prepping for a conference call, green will not only boost your confidence but also symbolize your growth as a professional. Why it works: Green is a colour that radiates calm yet commands attention. It’s subtle but impactful — perfect for the modern corporate woman. Style tip: Go for an olive green jacket with tailored trousers or a soft mint blouse with a fitted skirt. Pair with gold jewelry for a classy, polished finish. Powerful Purples & Reds: Purple is synonymous with royalty, while red represents strength and confidence. Together, they create a palette that demands attention. A powerful combo in any corporate setting, purple tones (think amethyst and lavender) can add sophistication, while fiery red can bring an energizing, bold statement to your look. These colours are perfect when you want to make a lasting impression, whether you're presenting a proposal or leading a team. Why it works: Red and purple are assertive, magnetic colours that draw people in. They’re not afraid to make a statement, and neither are you. Style tip: Try a deep purple blouse tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt or trousers. Add a red handbag for an extra pop, or rock a full red dress with purple accessories for a truly regal effect. So, whether you're building your empire or climbing the corporate ladder, remember: your wardrobe is one of your most powerful tools. Make sure it reflects the dynamic, fearless, and creative woman you are! Let me know — which of these colours are you most excited to try out in your own corporate wardrobe this year? Luxury fashion becomes luxury food? In their quest to collect more money from the rich the big names like Belmond, which is owned by LVMH have already diversified into luxury hotels and luxury nostalgic trains. Dior, better known for fashion and perfumes has now opened a Michelin star restaurant, (the opening comes first, and if you are good Michelin may award you 1, 2 or 3 stars) following trailblazers Gucci and Chanel. The restaurant is called Monsieur Dior and is situated in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, next to Gallerie Dior. It is managed by Yanninck Alléno, who already manages another 18 star restaurants, so he seems to be good at it. Prices of course are a bit up, the potato puree with caviar goes for 1290 GHC, the salad Catherine for 350 GHC, a sole fish in butter costs 860 GHC, and calf fillet ticks 750 GHC. Taxes and service included, no games here. Do reserve a table, monkeys play by sizes. The aim of course is to get 3 Michelin stars, then the same sole fish will go for anywhere between 1600 and 2600 GHC. Hurry up, the sole season in Ghana ends at end of April…

Early make up? Throughout the world the effect of social media on the youth is being scrutinized with several countries imposing a minimum age of 15 or 16 years old and schools banning smartphones. Sweden, which in 2009 changed books for computers in schools is presently also making a U turn, and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) just had a fine of 375 million USD in New Mexico (State in the USA) and 6 million in California for knowingly addicting children to social media. Tiktok was sued earlier on. Yeah, grab them early. But this article was about make up? Yes, in Italy the authorities are taking a very close look at Sephora and Benefit. Both owned by LVMH (which also owns Bulgari, Celine, Dior, Fendi and Givenchy). Sephora is a big beauty retailer, selling 340 + different brands of make up and skin care products and fragrances through its 2000+ shops. The suspicion is that their covert marketing strategies target girls as young as 10 years old, fueling an unhealthy skincare and anti aging obsession called cosmeticorexia. These make up addicted kids are now nicknamed Sephora kids. It is known that almost all make up products contain dangerous chemicals, and especially young skins are more sensitive. And imagine what happens in Ghana where anything at all is imported, some product even without a brand name.

Dubai. There’s a saying that Kentucky Fried Chicken and iPhones are responsible for a load of juvenile pregnancies. We could add Dubai, the magic city. Why? Apart from the current troubles there, which have now made any trip there risky, what is then the magic of Dubai? Magic indeed is that in the middle of the desert sand they have managed to create a big financial and trading hub, complete with greens lawns, irrigated with desalinated sea water. And apart from that? Lots of hotels and shopping malls and eateries, and expensive playgrounds. So why do we all want to go there? Not so long ago a Ghanaian needed a visa for about any country apart from the Ecowas states, even South Africa and Kenya were beyond reach. Enter Emirates Air and a big advertising campaign, and finally we could leave Africa. At the cost of an iPhone, hotel included. But things have changed now, Ghanaians can travel without real visa hassle to 54 countries like Botswana, India, Jamaica, Singapore, South Africa, and others. Personally I would prefer Morocco or a Kenya safari, or India with it’s 22 official languages and 44 Unesco World Heritage sites (France has 53, Morocco 9, Kenya 8 and Dubai has none). All for the price of an iPhone. Take KFC tonight and dream.

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: Own Your Corporate Style, This year’s Met Gala will be on 4th May, What is white washing? and Patrone Lounge Alisa Hotel Accra

Own Your Corporate Style. The 2026 corporate Accra girl is confident, vibrant, and unapologetically bold. This is not your grandma's office look! Embrace the colours that make you feel powerful and creative, and don't be afraid to experiment with textures and accessories. The modern corporate wardrobe isn’t just about looking professional — it’s about expressing your personality and telling the world who you are through your style.  Soft Neutrals with a Bright Accent: While bold colours are on the rise, soft neutrals are not going anywhere. But in 2026, the secret is in how you accessorize. Think soft creams, taupes, and cool grays, but with a bright, unexpected pop. Maybe a bold turquoise clutch or an electric pink pair of shoes? It’s the perfect way to stay grounded while keeping things fresh and fun.    Why it works: A neutral base allows your personality to shine through with the addition of one or two bold, unexpected accents. It’s the ultimate mix of timeless style and trend-forward thinking. Style tip: If you're wearing a soft taupe dress or suit, pair it with bright shoes or a patterned scarf in a striking colour, like hot pink or electric blue. A fun bag with some texture (maybe some beading or metallic touches) will add that little extra flair! This year’s Met Gala will be on 4th May. Held annually as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in Manhattan, southeastern New York State in the United States, the Met Gala is a haute couture fashion event like no other, it is considered by many to be the world’s most important and glamorous fashion event. Every year the event celebrates a specific theme. Attendees, who make a contribution of $75,000 per seat, will embrace high fashion and creativity with outfits in accordance with this year’s theme, costume art. Guests are to treat fashion as a living artistic expression, highlighting the body as a canvas for creativity. So expect a bit of flesh (whilst most would do better by keeping things covered). Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon and his wife Lauren are one of the sponsors, and what she wears will make waves. Mark Zuckerberg and his wife showed up at the Milan fashion week, an interesting competition coming up here. We haven’t seen Musk at fashion shows yet, but his estranged daughter actually walked for Gucci in Milan. Just pray that Trump does not stick his nose inside like he did with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by renaming it after himself and then no one showed up and he had to close it for “renovations”.

What is white washing? And I am not referring to Omo. Let me explain. Let’s assume I am a big time drug dealer and I end up with a million dollar cash under my mattress. If I take it to the bank they will ask where this money came from, they are obliged to ask. And it leaves a trace, banks keep records for centuries. Again, if I buy a building someone may ask from where all that cash, or later someone may ask how I got all that cash to buy that building, my tax records show no such income. If I want to go into politics, during the vetting it may become a problem. So I need to find a way to make this dirty money clean. I open a boutique, and every day I happily write invoices for about 20,000 GHC sales, whilst no one bought anything, and I bring that cash to the bank. They will even congratulate me on my successful business. At the end of the year the taxman will assess this profit and I have to pay 25% tax. Add the cost of running the shop and the girl in it, all in all I lose about 30 %. But now my money is perfectly legal, 1,000,000 $ dirty money has become 700,000 $ clean money. This issue is very widespread in Ghana, I have even heard young men singing their song “we are the whiiiiiite washers”, and I have seen girls posting “I wished my boyfriend was a white washer, I’d just go to the shop 30 minutes a day and for the rest watch movies”. And not only boutiques can wash, eateries, hotels, what not. The Government does not seem to mind very much, they get that tax of 25%, and maybe a little gift to keep their eyes a bit closed. The down side is that Ghana is becoming a narco state thriving on drugs transits, white washing, internet fraud, what not. And if you really want to run a boutique you are competing with someone who does not sell clothes but washes money, and who does not care how much they sell their dresses. So honesty does not pay any more, rather this illegal business is destroying the honest business. It is serious, for example the traditional real estate people who built half of Accra currently cannot pay off their bank loans, their buildings are empty, rents are down, because my clean 700,000 $ went into a building, better and safer than in a bank, and I don’t care if it is profitable.

Patrone Lounge Alisa Hotel Accra 21 Dr. Isert Road, North Ridge, Accra, is a good place if you want to have a quick quiet meeting and be a bit out of sight. A soda water cost 20 GHC, fresh orange juice is 35. They serve groundnuts and plantain chips with it so you can nibble whilst you talk. Service is correct.

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.