This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Latex in the Accra Rain? Radiance Fair and Summit Showcased Bridal Elegance and Luxury at Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Burn out and skincare, HoneySuckle Airport, and Full Moon

Latex in the Accra Rain? Yes, Sis—Here's How to Make It Work! Accra's rainy season has officially entered the group chat. One minute you're serving CEO chic, the next you're dodging puddles on Oxford Street. But does that mean your fashion game has to hibernate? Absolutely not. Enter latex—the bold, glossy fabric that's surprisingly perfect for making a statement, even in gloomy weather. Shine Brighter Than the Clouds Rainy days can make every outfit look a little dull. Latex naturally reflects light, giving you that “main character” glow, even under grey skies. Think of it as your built-in spotlight. Keep It Smart Instead of wearing head-to-toe latex (unless you're heading to a fashion editorial), choose one statement piece: – A latex blazer over a fitted dress. – Latex trousers paired with a soft knit top. Balance is the secret to looking polished instead of overdone. Rain-Friendly Accessories: The Accra rain loves surprises, so pair your latex look with: – Waterproof ankle boots or stylish loafers. – A structured umbrella (because your umbrella is part of the outfit too!). – A sleek tote that can handle unexpected showers. Let Your Outfit Breathe: Latex already makes a statement, so keep your makeup fresh and your accessories minimal. Gold jewelry, a neat hairstyle, and confidence will do the rest. Rain and latex may seem like an unusual pairing, but confidence is what truly completes the look. Own it, walk carefully on those slippery pavements, and remember—fashion doesn't stop because the skies opened up. This rainy season, don't just survive the weather. Shine through it—one glossy latex look at a time. Radiance Fair and Summit Showcased Bridal Elegance and Luxury at Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel. I was invited to The Radiance Fair and Summit, held on 25 and 26 July 2026 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, organized by Events Debonair Afrik. It brought together fashion designers, exhibitors, entrepreneurs, media representatives, and fashion enthusiasts to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation in Ghana's fashion industry. An exhibition in the ballrooms of the hotel had 12 vendors displaying elegant wedding dresses and accessories and luxury table settings for wedding receptions, offering visitors plenty of inspiration for celebrating weddings in grand style. The highlight of the event was the open-air Radiance Runway Show, staged beside the hotel's swimming pool. There was a slight delay due to a brief drizzle, (I really wonder how people dare organize open air fashion shows during the rainy season) but then the runway featured extravagant bridal wear with many garments showcasing elaborate embroidery, luxurious silk fabrics, and delicate lace detailing. The collections reflected both exceptional craftsmanship and contemporary bridal fashion trends. It was a continuous extravaganza of impressive wedding dresses and accessories, highlighting the creativity and quality of Ghanaian designers. The event also provided valuable networking opportunities for industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts. While the overall organization and atmosphere were commendable, the sound system during the runway presentations could have been better. This Radiance Fair and Summit successfully celebrated bridal fashion, luxury, and local creativity while reinforcing Accra's growing reputation as a hub for fashion and creative industries in West Africa. Ayeeko Debonair.

Burn out and skincare. What is skin care for? More than you think. During your daily movements you may actually encounter lots of dirt, so to protect your skin from these before you set out is not a bad thing. But be careful what you put, the more natural the better. Like organic unprocessed shea butter or organic unprocessed coconut oil. Skin care products often also contain chemicals which do not care for your skin at all, rather damage it and create reactions like allergies, cancers or even sexual and reproductive problems (hormonal disruption). So washing it all off once you get back home is a good thing as well. But here’s the next snag. Apart from what you put on as a protector, your own body also produces a protective layer. So if you now wash everything off with soap, you touch that protective layer as well. Better just use water and a bit of scrubbing, and use soap only for underarms and things like that. Your skin may be dry, so again you want to put something, like a moisturizer. Same story, the more natural the better for the above mentioned reasons. Take your time and read what’s written on that bottle of moisturizer and you’ll realize you need a PhD in chemicals to understand it all. Same goes for deodorants, often used, seldom really needed. And now the stressy part. If you are stressed, your skin may start to show it, and if your skin shows it you get stressed. So it goes both ways, and scratching or creams mostly makes it worse. Some scrub so much that they damage the skin. So what to do? Relax. A nice long hot shower with some music on and a big towel and some perfume can do as much as a Spa at GHC 500-GHC 1000. Learn to unstress. Or try yoga and things like that. A few minutes a day can already make a big change to your skin.

HoneySuckle Airport (Shell Station (Opposite Alliance Française), Airport Residential Area, Accra). Packed full on a Friday evening with Gen Z and millenniums, complete with karaoke, which I think should be forbidden in public places, some people really should only hum hum hum, not try to sing. Their 4 pieces of samosa at 70 GHC were over fried and oily and had an Indian taste, no wonder, I am told all the honeysuckles in Accra (Labone, Fourth Dade Street and Osu, opposite the Fire Service Headquarters, Ring Road East, Accra) are owned by Indians. A club draft is GHC44.99, an ordinary beefburger goes for 170 and was ok. We also had honey glazed chicken wings, spicy bbq chicken wings, yam chips and potato chips which were also good. Prices are all tax inclusive but they add a 5% non compulsory service tax (so you can tell them to take it off, even without complaining about the service). But the service was ok, I even had an apology for the late samosas, but I had to wait too long for my change which somehow spoilt the party.

Full Moon was last Wednesday, and today it will still be quite a full moon. Beach walk time, with the moon playing hide and seek with the clouds. Hold me tight.

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: Corporate Chic Meets Latex: How to Wear Latex This Rainy Season in Accra, Labour Exploitation in Bangladesh, Taking Mum to the Hospital, and Boring FIFA Final Foodball Tournament

Corporate Chic Meets Latex: How to Wear Latex This Rainy Season in Accra. Rainy mornings in Accra usually call for practical outfits, but who says practical can't be fashionable? This season, latex is stepping into the corporate wardrobe—not in a loud, red-carpet way, but with a polished, office-appropriate twist. The secret? Keep latex as the statement, not the entire outfit. A sleek latex pencil skirt paired with a crisp white button-down instantly elevates your office look while adding a modern edge. Prefer trousers? Opt for tailored latex trousers with a structured blazer and a classic blouse to create a sophisticated silhouette that's boardroom-ready. For those who love dresses, a midi-length latex skirt styled with a lightweight knit or silk blouse strikes the perfect balance between bold and professional. Finish the look with closed-toe pumps or chic ankle boots to navigate Accra's rainy streets with confidence. Since latex naturally has a glossy finish, keep the rest of your outfit understated. Neutral tones like black, navy, beige, olive, and chocolate brown allow the fabric to shine without overwhelming your look. Add delicate gold jewelry, a structured handbag, and a stylish umbrella to complete the ensemble. One thing every corporate fashionista should remember: comfort matters. Choose high-quality latex or latex-look fabrics with a tailored fit, and avoid overly tight pieces that can become uncomfortable in Accra's warm, humid weather. This rainy season, don't let grey skies dull your style. A thoughtfully styled latex piece can add confidence, elegance, and a fashion-forward edge to your corporate wardrobe. After all, the office is your runway—even when it's raining. Labour Exploitation in Bangladesh. We’ve heard about these things, and the fashion you are wearing may have been manufactured in a factory in a far away country where people work 20 hours a day and where they don't have a single fire extinguisher. So the news item in the Bangkok Post “Italian police in Milan raid luxury brands Bulgari, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel and Prada (and others)”, on suspicion of subcontractors in Italy employing illegal Chinese workers under inhumane conditions makes one think. Indeed, to sell for example a hand bag for 13,500 $ and more you need cheap labour, or you’d be running at a loss.

Taking Mum to the Hospital. Arriving from work my friend found her mother having difficulty speaking and not remembering very much. Typically a stroke problem, where a small vein in the brain bursts and causes damage to the brain (in this case the speech and memory areas). Not surprising, majority of our mothers are overweight, have high blood pressure and do not move sufficiently, and only visit a doctor when they are sick. Not for a general check up where they would have told her to change her lifestyle. Anyway, would she have listened? The savings made on not doing check ups were spent that same evening, my friend went through a quick thousand plus for pills and tests and doctors fees. Next was a CT scan to be done, 640 GHC. My friend asked why, to establish that she had a stroke, But we know that! What will you now see on that CT scan which will make you change the medication or whatever. The answer was unclear, my friend transferred her mother to a different hospital, she’s responding to treatment and no CT scan was necessary for now. Remember, hospitals are to make money, to pay their nurses and doctors and electricity bills. And you are the one going to pay for all that. So don’t just say yes yes yes to everything they say. I can write a book bigger than the bible with stories about hospitals and doctors doing unnecessary things, just to make money. Inform yourself. Read up on health things. Ask questions. And save some money.

Boring FIFA Final Foodball Tournament. I am not a football fan and only watch when Ghana reaches the quarter finals, but this time I got invited to watch the very FIFA Foodball Finals, with food and drinks at will, at Wan Shi Gardens at Asylum Down (4th Crescent Link, Asylum Down, Accra), also called Joe's Bar and Lounge and I accepted. What a boring match. I think both teams had been bribed! These guys know how to place a ball on top of a bottle from a hundred yards and the amount of misses was not natural. But the Argentina goal keeper was really on the ball and missed only once. Bored as I was I checked a few things. Total sales generated during this FIFA Tournament 80 billion US Dollars (tickets, advertising, distribution rights, others, I noticed they introduced a hydration break which is mainly meant for advertisers at 36,000 $ per 10 seconds, that is if you spend at least $10 million on the tournament). Tickets officially sold for between USD 2030 and USD 32,970, but open/black market ranged from USD 6,411 to USD 595,000. Six hundred thousand United States Dollars to watch a football match. (And queue for 5 hours to get in and be checked by security). I am happy Ghana was not in these finals, we would all have been very very broke by now. And to finalize their lost match the Argentinians started to beat up anyone they could lay their hands on, and the next day hero Messi was seriously ridiculed, (I never guessed he is Argentinian). A crown does not stay on one head forever. Not that he will mind much, he earns about 140 million dollars a year, matches and advertising included. Sport indeed? No, a hugely successful advertizing platform, with you as the victim, to be told that Visa or Budweiser is the best. Beware. Wan Shi Gardens/Joe's Bar and Lounge is a rather quiet place, even that night we were less than 20. They have several “spaces”, so if you want to be “private” this is a good place. But if you order food have a plan B, many things on the menu were not available. Like the beef samosas. And they don’t do kebabs either. But the beef spring rolls were nice and came with 2 sauces and I’ll order the spicy goat meat again as well. The spicy grilled chicken is also recommended. Service was very prompt, maybe because it was my first time coming there. And the rat we saw? I guess that can be said of almost all restaurants.

# 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: Rainy days don't mean Fashion break, Malaria drug for babies approved, Funerals, Phoenix Restaurant Mövenpick, and +233 Jazz club and grill Bar

Rainy days don't mean Fashion break. The secret? Dress smart without sacrificing style. And let's talk colours. Rainy days don't have to mean dull outfits. Rich emerald greens, burgundy, mustard yellow, navy blue, and classic beige bring warmth and elegance to even the gloomiest morning commute. Don't underestimate the power of layers. A lightweight blazer or water-resistant jacket can instantly elevate your outfit while protecting you from surprise showers. Choose neutral colours so they'll pair effortlessly with your wardrobe. Accessories deserve a rainy-season upgrade too. A sturdy umbrella is no longer just an emergency item—it's part of the outfit. A structured tote or waterproof handbag will keep your laptop, documents, and makeup safe when the heavens decide to test your patience. Most importantly, remember that confidence is always in season. The Accra rain may soak the streets, delay your commute, and challenge your hairstyle, but it should never wash away your style. Malaria drug for babies approved. The WHO (World Health Organization) says infants with malaria had until now been treated with formulations designed for older children “which increases the risk of dosing errors, side effects and toxicity”. The new product, Coartem Baby, now available in Ghana, means newborns can be safely treated rather than using medication for older children. It comes as sweet cherry-flavoured tablets that can be dissolved into liquids, including breast milk. Coartem Baby contains two antimalarial drugs, artemether and lumefantrine, and was developed by the multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). The development follows increasing research, challenging the historical misconception that young babies cannot be infected with malaria because they retain immunity passed on by their mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Novartis said it would make the treatment available “on a largely not-for-profit basis in malaria-endemic regions”. (The Gates Foundation, at one time falsely accused of creating Covid is among the donors to the Medicines for Malaria Venture). But, mothers, still be careful. Artemether and Lumefantrine only treat uncomplicated malaria infections due to Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). Whilst we see more and more different malaria strains like Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri. These do not occur too often, but still 8-10 % of the malaria cases are from these rare ones. And it is not too sure if Artemether and Lumefantrine can treat these. Thus: Make sure baby does not get bitten, keep your house free from mosquitoes, drain standing stagnant water, use mosquito nets. According to the most recent WHO data, there were 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths in 2024 – roughly 9 million more cases than the previous year – almost all of them in Africa. Children under 5 years old accounted for about three in four malaria deaths in the region. Some 30 million babies are born in areas of malaria risk in Africa every year, with West Africa reporting infections ranging up to 18% in infants younger than 6 months old. For those who are good in math: That’s about 450,000 dead babies in West Africa. Ghana is part of that. And yours?

Funerals. We seem to like them, as long as it is not one of our close relatives. Time to socialize, dress up, eat, drink, dance. But if it is a (very) close relative like father, mother you end up with a stiff bill, 30,000 GHC in Accra is cheap. So if it is you and your 2 siblings please pick up 10,000 each. Some of that will come back as donations, but most don’t donate much. Tradition? Is it tradition that every visitor gets fed and walks off with a gift bag, a printed towel, chips and drinks? Is it tradition that we keep the person in the fridge for several months whilst we fight it out and wait for relatives from all over the world to arrive? I think tradition is that the village attends and that a few representatives from nearby settlements come and are welcomed, and that the person is buried in about a week. With some simple cement work on top. But indeed, funerals contribute to the economy, yearly about 15 billion GHC are spend, 1.25 billion dollars. Mourn the dead and show respect.

Phoenix Restaurant Mövenpick (former Ambasador Hotel). Independence Avenue, Ridge, PMB CT 343, Accra. The Ambassador Hotel was a gift from the British Government to Ghana at the time of independence. It became the social hub but eventually fell into desrepair. It was rehabilitated in 2011 and renamed as Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel. The lobby is impressive with lots of traditional and contemporary Ghanaian paintings, statues and tissues. Personally I do not like to eat in hotels, I cannot remember ever having eaten something in a hotel worth remembering, apart maybe from the Lancaster (former Golden Tulip) Sunday afternoon buffet, with a very wide choice of Ghanaian dishes. But the one who invited me was staying at the Mövenpick hotel and insisted we take it easy and dine there. We looked at the buffet which was nothing exciting so we went to à la carte. I had a Tian of prawns which was 2 big prawns (about 2 inches) grilled and dry and tough on a bed of avocado, peas and mayonnaise and laying on a mattress of dry and chewy small pieces of kelewele at 300 GHC. There was some lettuces as well which had no dressing. My host ordered the baked sea bass fillets which were small, oily, not very fresh and had no crispy baking, maybe it is not the season for sea bass, with mainly garden eggs, a tomato based sauce and 2 slices of fried potato. At 370 GHC. Baked sea bass Bread buns and butter came with all this, elsewhere often one has a choice of buns, white, brown, other types, but here it was only white. The butter did not have a butter taste. We both agreed that this was a waste of money and time and ate only part of the food. There was live classic Ghanaian highlife music but with a terrible sound system. The air conditioner worked very well, we both got cold and were happy when we got out of the restaurant. They have a wall with 120 bottles of wine, with light behind it, nice decoration, and indeed the bottles are lying down so the cork stays wet. Smirnoff red goes for 90 GHC a shot, fresh pineapple juice for 60 GHC, add ginger to make it 80, and Stella beer draft big at 105 GHC. Luckily I was not the one paying for all this.

+233 Jazz club and grill Bar. (Dr. Isert Street, North Ridge, opposite GBC, Accra). I took my guest there this Saturday night, the patch bay band was playing at an entrance fee of 100 GHC. My guest was happy, a swinging evening instead of a dull hotel room. Alas, Football. England versus Norway. Whilst we had phoned +233 and asked for their program. I’ll be glad when things get back to normal, meaning life without football.

# 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: Rain, But Make It Fashion, Fashion airline uniforms, Migraine, Market economics for beginners, and The pub at Accra International Airport

Rain, But Make It Fashion: The Accra Girl's Guide to Dressing for the Intense Rains. If you've lived in Accra long enough, you know the weather has a personality of its own. One minute the sun is giving “vacation in Santorini,” and the next, the skies open up like they're making up for months of drought. Welcome to the rainy season, where looking fabulous and staying dry becomes a daily balancing act. Start with breathable fabrics that dry quickly. Cotton blends, lightweight knits, and moisture-friendly materials will keep you comfortable even when the humidity decides to join the party. Save those heavy fabrics for another day—they'll only leave you feeling weighed down. When it comes to shoes, your white sneakers deserve a day off. Instead, reach for chic loafers, waterproof flats, stylish ankle boots, or durable sandals with good grip. They're practical enough for those unexpected puddles while still looking polished for the office. Because in Accra, even when it's pouring, the corporate girlies still show up looking like the forecast called for fashion. Fashion airline uniforms. Rebranding a product costs a lot of money and is risky, you want to end up with more customers, not less. Sometimes it may be necessary, like when Barclays sold their African activities to Absa Bank. They spent 1 billion Dollars (thousand million) in Africa to make people aware that Barclays was now Absa, and that the customers would get an even better service than before. (hu hu hu), and that included software changes and other internal issues. But you may also rebrand to draw attention to a product. With slogans like “new, better, more”. That’s nice for toothpaste, but how do you rebrand and airline so that you are in the news once again? Take British Airways. They have about 250 planes, to repaint one would cost about 200,000 $, total bill for rebranding is 50 million dollars, that is for the planes alone. Now here’s a clever one, all these people in and around the planes wear a uniform, in a certain colour and a certain style. These uniforms wear out anyway and need to be changed, so rebrand by changing these uniforms. And get a fashion celebrity to dress in it and make a lot of noise about it. And be politically correct, go with the times. The last time that BA changed their style they brought in a gender neutral style, so stewards and captains were free to choose skirts, (the Scottish were already doing that) and the girls were allowed to wear trousers. Though I haven't seen any of their male crews wearing skirts, I think they pulled that one back and left Virgin Airlines to carry that baton, but it did give them a lot of publicity. At that time I wondered if our upcoming BBQ Laws (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer-LGBTQ+) will allow cross dressing anyway. The British Airways collection was designed by British-Ghanaian fashion designer and master tailor, Ozwald Boateng OBE, (born 1967) with the help of more than 1,500 colleagues from across the business who were involved in the end-to-end process, including design workshops, prototype feedback and wearer trials. The fee he charged was not disclosed but formed part of BA's 5 Bn Pounds investment over 5 years, and Ozwald is estimated to earn 10 million $ upwards yearly.

Migraine. A common ailment that is still poorly understood. And the additional bad news is that medication only suppresses it in about 1/3 of the cases. But certain things can be “triggers”, and it may help if you know your triggers so you can try to avoid them. To find out your triggers take note of the following, daily, for the next 2 months, day of week: Monday, Friday etc. Attack? No, if yes, start and end time, pain level 1-10, any prior vision problems, tingling, speech problems? What? Hours slept, sleep time – wake time, Quality: Poor, OK, good. What food, and breakfast, lunch or dinner skipped? Water drunk, 1,2,3 ltr?Coffee, alcohol, chocolate, aged cheese, processed meat (sausage etc), MSG salt, how much? Stress level, 1-10? Work, family, money, other? (all, haha). Exercise, type? Phone Screen time?, Period/flow day? (1-7) weather pressure drop, hot, cold, windy, storm. Medicines taken, dosage, time. It may sound amateuriastic, but after 2 months you’ll hopefully see a pattern.

Market economics for beginners. I have that habit of keeping things. Like the spoons and sometimes forks from take away and delivery foods. Then someone complained that cats were digging up her garden and destroying what she had planted, so I figured that putting forks upside down among her seedlings might keep the cats out. I went into my collection of kept plastic cutlery and got the forks out. 51 of them (2 were wooden). But the interesting part was that there were 20 different types. Ranging from white plastic to transparent to black, some even silver or gold coloured, long and short dents, reinforced handles, decorated handles, 20 different types. To me that means that 20 different companies or people are trying to sell their plastic forks into the market of takeaway and delivery foods. Serious competition there. The lesson is, if you think this market needs something, maybe big size plastic zips for sports wear (I couldn't find any), try to find it and see what you find. Many may already be selling what you are trying to introduce, and you’ll have to fight hard to find your place. Or get stuck with the goods. So before preparing to market, study the market first. Sounds obvious?

The pub at Accra International Airport. That’s when you already have checked in and after immigration and security. I prefer The Pub on the right after check in rather than the one on the left (they are both called Pub), the one on the left has bad memories with me, overcharging and no change. And it is nicely quiet at The Pub. The samosa was nice (45 GHC FOR 3), I ordered a second portion, but the chicken pie didn’t have much chicken in it. Water goes for 10 GHC, club mini at 35 and vodka also 35 a shot. They also sell jollof and waakye at 140-150 GHC.

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: Rain, But Make It Fashion, Fashion airline uniforms, Migraine, Market economics for beginners, and The pub at Accra International Airport

Rain, But Make It Fashion: The Accra Girl's Guide to Dressing for the Intense Rains. If you've lived in Accra long enough, you know the weather has a personality of its own. One minute the sun is giving “vacation in Santorini,” and the next, the skies open up like they're making up for months of drought. Welcome to rainy season, where looking fabulous and staying dry become a daily balancing act. Start with breathable fabrics that dry quickly. Cotton blends, lightweight knits, and moisture-friendly materials will keep you comfortable even when the humidity decides to join the party. Save those heavy fabrics for another day—they'll only leave you feeling weighed down. When it comes to shoes, your white sneakers deserve a day off. Instead, reach for chic loafers, waterproof flats, stylish ankle boots, or durable sandals with good grip. They're practical enough for those unexpected puddles while still looking polished for the office. Because in Accra, even when it's pouring, the corporate girlies still show up looking like the forecast called for fashion. Fashion airline uniforms. Rebranding a product costs a lot of money and is risky, you want to end up with more customers, not less. Sometimes it may be necessary, like when Barclays sold their African activities to Absa Bank. They spend 1 billion Dollars (thousand million) in Africa to make people aware that Barclays was now Absa, and that the customers would get an even better service than before. (hu hu hu, aNDS IT INCLUDED SOFTWARE CHANGES AND OTHER INTERNAL ISSUES (NO CAPITALS) ) But you may also rebrand to re draw attention to a product. With slogans like “new, better, more”. That’s nice for toothpaste, but how do you rebrand and airline so that you are in the news once again? Take British airways. They have about 250 planes, to repaint one would cost about 200,000 $, total bIll for rebranding 50 million dollars, THAT IS FOR THE PLAnES ALONE. Now here’s a clever one, all these people in and around the planes wear a uniform, in a certain colour and a certtian style. These uniforms wear out anyway and need to be changed, so rebrand by changing these uniforms. And get a fashion celebrety to desing it and make a lot of noise about it. And be politically correct, go with the times. The last time that BA changed their style they brought in a gender neutral style, so stewards and captains were free to choose skirts, (the Scottish were already doing that) and the girls were allowed to wear troursers. Though I havent seen any of their male crews wearing skirts, I think they pulled that one back and left Virgin Airlines to carry that batton, but it did give them a lot of publicity. At that time I wondered if our upcoming BBQ Laws (LB+G (full abreviati0n) will allow cross dressing anyway The British Airways collection was designed by British-Ghanaian fashion designer and master tailor, Ozwald Boateng OBE, (born 1967) with the help of more than 1,500 colleagues from across the business who were involved in the end-to-end process, including design workshops, prototype feedback and wearer trials.

Migraine. A common ailment that still is poorly understood. And the additional bad new is that medication only surpresses it in about 1/3 of the cases. But certain things can be “triggers”, and it may help if you know your triggers so you can try to avoid them. To find out your triggers take note ot the following, daily, for the next 2 months Day of week: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Attack? No, if yes, start and end time, painlevel 1-10 , any prior vision problems, tingling, speach problems? What? Hours slept, sleep time – wake time, Quality: Poor, OK, good What food, and breakfast, lunch or dinner skipped? Water drunk, 1,2,3 ltr?
Coffee, alcohol, chocolate, aged cheese, processed meat (sausage etc) , MSG, how much? Stress level, 1-10? Work, family, money, other? (all, haha) Exercise, type?_ Phone Screen time? Period day? (1-7) Weather pressure drop, hot, cold, windy, storm Medicines taken, dosage, time It may sound amateuriasticx, but after 2 months you’ll hopefully see a pattern.

Market economics for beginners. I have that habit of keeping things**. Like the spoons and sometimes forks from take away and delivery foods. Then someone complained that cats were digging up her garden and destroying what she had planted, so I figured that putting forks upside down among her seedlings might keep the cats out. I went into my collection of kept plastic cutlery and got the forks out. 51 of them ( 2 were wood). But the interesting part was that there were 20 different types. Ranging from white plastic to transparent to black, some even silver or gold coloured, long and short dents, reinforced handles, decorated handles, 20 different types. To me that means that 20 different companis or people are trying to sell their plastic forks into the market of takeaway and delivery foods. Serious competition there. The lesson is, if you think this market needs something, maybe big size plastic zips for sports wear (I couldnt find any), try to find it and see what you find. Many may already be selling what you are trying to introduce, and you’ll have to fight hard to find your place. Or get stuck with the goods. So before preparing to market, study the market first. Sounds obvious?

The pub at Accra International Airport. That’s when you already have checked in and after immigration and security. I prefere The Pub over ….. where they like to cheat on the bill and withold your balance. And it is nicely quiet at The Pub. The samosa was nice (45 GHC FOR 3), I ordered a second portion, but the chicken pie didn’t have much chicken in it. Water goes for 10 GHC, club mini at 35 and cvodka also 35 a shot . THEY ALSO SELL JOLLOF AND A WAAKUYE AT 140-150

# 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: Soft Power Dressing for the Accra Girl, African cultural heritage for sale, free of charge, And what to do if your baby is an idiot? Beans and blue zones, and Jollof Goat, delivery from Nyonyo

Soft Power Dressing for the Accra Girl. Who said corporate fashion has to be stiff, stressful, and smelling faintly of printer ink? Enter the kimono — the effortlessly chic fashion piece quietly transforming office wardrobes from “HR-approved” to “main character energy.” Why the Kimono Works for Corporate Wear. A kimono adds instant sophistication without trying too hard. It’s that magical piece that says: “I closed deals today… but I also know the best cocktail spot in Osu.” The “I’m Busy but Stylish” Hack The beauty of kimonos is that they make lazy dressing look intentional. Running late for work? Throw a kimono over: A plain midi dress Sleeveless top and pants Pencil skirt and tank top Suddenly everyone thinks you planned the outfit for days. Fashion is funny like that. Kimono Length Matters Short kimonos = playful Friday office energy Mid-length kimonos = polished everyday chic Long flowing kimonos = dramatic “don’t disturb me unless it’s important” energy. Choose wisely depending on your mood — and whether your office AC is fighting for its life. Fashion memo: So next time your wardrobe feels boring, skip the predictable blazer and reach for a kimono instead. Because spreadsheets are temporary. Style is forever. African cultural heritage for sale, free of charge. Great was my surprise when I saw a woman dressed as per attached photograph. In a mini village in the French countryside, 600 km from Paris. I’d be very surprised if she had visited family or friends in Ghana and brought this as a souvenir. And it was different, it was printed, not woven. So what are we going to do? Those involved in the production of these local garments, be they kente, adinkra batakari or the recently launched bambolse are quite a few and are earning a little bit of money from it, through local sales and from a few cheap sales at a local tourist market. Whilst a dress as per picture, rightly marketed, should retail for at least 1000 GHC in Europe. But there’s a bit of light in the tunnel. Since September 2025 our kente is WIPO protected (World Intellectual Property Organization), meaning whoever produces whatever can not call it kente unless it is kente made in Ghana. And this WIPO thing is UN recognized (just hoping that Trump does not blow up the UN). Ayeeko to the people behind this, it must have been a lengthy and frustrating process, these things are not done overnight. And pray they will also seek protection for our adinkra, batakari and bambolse. And anything we do officially overseas, cultural events, things organized by our embassies and everything else should show our heritage. Put Ghana on the map. Not only in the knock out.

And what to do if your baby is an idiot? You've taken all the precautions, no sickle or noted madness in your or his family, you did not take alcohol or certain medications during pregnancy and you ate healthy. And still, disaster, your child is born with Down Syndrome or something else which will make it never perform normally in society and which will make it need constant care. Fact is that abnormal children is happening more often these days than 30 years ago. Figures are difficult to get, Down Syndrome is about 0.15% (15 per 10,000), but if you add other problems you get to about 1.5 %, 15 per 1000 (per thousand), or 8000 “abnormal” children born every year in Ghana). You are the mother, so you are going to give that care. So here you are, you are now doomed. Till you die. Is that fair? Or should you rather put the child up for adoption, relinquishment? And continue with your life? Or send it to the village where people are more used to have abnormal children live amongst them, care for them, than in the cities? In some of the far-off villages they still have their own way to solve such problems, at night the child is taken away by ghosts or similar, and not seen again. Food for thought? Anyway, eat healthy during your pregnancy.

Beans and blue zones. Blue zones are areas in the world where many people become an easy hundred years old. Famous are Loma Linda in the USA, Costa Rica, Sardinia in Italy, Ikaria in Greece and Okinawa in Japan. Apart from healthy life styles like lots of walking and moving and busy social lives researchers have of course looked at what these people eat. What really sticks out is that the average blue zoner eats 5 times more beans than the rest of the world. Ghanaian doctors mostly do not recommend beans. It is true that they can be a bit heavy to digest if you are not used to them, so take it easy in the beginning. A little more after a few days and so on. And soak them for at least 24 hours before cooking to get rid of the oligosaccharides, a form of sugar we find difficult to digest, and phytic acids which block iron and zinc absorption. Throw the soaking water away. Beans are also good against constipation, but here again, go easy in the beginning or you may even be misdiagnosed with appendicitis (I know of such a case). An odd fact is that Cubans, who are poor, live about as long as Americans, who have all the modern health gadgets. The staple in Cuba is beans, maybe with a side dish of some rice and veggies. And some fish or meat. Maybe time to re-evaluate our rice with chicken or chicken with rice?

Jollof Goat, delivery from Nyonyo. More bone than goat meat, and the rice not sufficiently cooked, and the oil had a funny taste. Anyone know of an evaluation list of food delivery providers?

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: The Corporate Kimono Era, Prada has bought rival fashion brand Versace, The Ban on Drumming, Your Blood Group, and Restaurants

The Corporate Kimono Era. The Accra corporate girl is no longer dressing like she’s attending a board meeting from 2007. We’re layering, flowing, and serving elegance with movement. And honestly? The kimono understood the assignment. Whether it’s silky, structured, printed, or neutral-toned, the kimono gives your outfit personality while still keeping it office appropriate. Think of it as your blazer’s cooler, artsier cousin. The Power Styling Formula: The “CEO but Fashionable” Look Pair a long neutral kimono with: Tailored trousers A fitted camisole or bodysuit Pointed heels Minimal gold jewelry Result? You look like you own shares in three companies and still make it to brunch on time. African Print Kimono = Boardroom Royalty: Ankara kimonos over monochrome outfits? Elite behavior. A black dress or all-white set instantly comes alive with a bold print kimono. It’s corporate chic with cultural confidence — exactly the energy Accra girls are bringing to the office lately. Makola meets management. Corporate fashion in Accra is evolving, and the kimono is leading the soft-power revolution. It’s stylish, breathable in this Ghana heat, versatile, and effortlessly elegant. Prada has bought rival fashion brand Versace for $1.36bn, but this is more than just business as usual. Gianni Versace, born in 1946, started Versace fashion house in 1978, together with his sister Donatella. Donatella Versace In 1990 Gianni met Andrew Phillip Cunanan, though the family has always denied this. Cunanan was a notorious person with many ID’s, and amongst others dealing in and using drugs, and mostly living off elderly wealthy men. In 1997 when Gianni was 50, Cunanan shot Versace twice and fatally. And he murdered a total of 5 people before then shooting himself. Versace’s sister, Donatella then became creative director but could not keep this $500-million turnover company, with its flamboyant reputation for clothes in unconventional materials and offbeat designs going, and eventually Versace amassed a very high pile of debt. Donatella, now 69 has since stepped down as creative director but will remain an ambassador for Versace. She will be replaced by Dario Vitale, who is a former design director for Miu Miu.

The Ban on Drumming. (May 4-June 4 2026) left those who like life music in the dry. +233 Jazz and Grill Bar (Dr. Isert Street, North Ridge, opposite GBC, Accra) was open throughout the period, but without the music, and without the customers. So I went there on the 4th of June, Chris and the Zoom Band were doing their evergreens again, and I ordered my usual kebab. Dry. Maybe it had been there all that time. And the lettuce leaves in the Greek salad were dry as well, for the same reason? But the second kebab was juicy again, back on track. And I wondered how +233 were paying their staff throughout the period, with hardly any income. And how did the artistes survive? 2 Zoom members had called me during the ban for a loan, one claiming the mother in Cape Coast was not well, the other one claiming same for the wife, in Accra. Traditions……

Your Blood Group. As much as you want to know your sickle status before you get married (friend of mine didn’t, first baby was ok, then they had twins, both are sicklers, good morning) you also want to know your blood group. Why? You’re not planning to donate blood? No, but you may need blood. For example before or after an operation, and that may well be an unscheduled operation like an appendix or a car accident. Hospitals don’t have blood? Well, not always. For the most common blood groups like A+ (55%) B+ (22%) and A+ (20%) often they have, but the not so common ones like AB, O-, A-, B- (all between 2 and 4 % of the population only) don’t assume that they have. So if you’re in one of those uncommon groups it is good to know people who have the same group as you. I’d prefer to have blood from someone I know rather than from an unknown donor who may have had unprotected sex the day before he donated and hence might have creeped through the screening process the hospitals are supposed to apply. HIV infected blood is only detected from 10 days onwards after the infection occurred.

Restaurants. There's a lot of restaurants in Accra, or shall I call them eateries, and majority have impressive rankings if you look at them through one of the search engines. The reality is drastically different. Poor service such as QR code menus only (and outdated), waiters not knowing what is available, lack of attention from waiters, long waiting times, no change, no proper napkins (tissues only), poor quality food, clogged salt dispensers, grossly overpriced junk food (the cost of a beef burger is not more than 40 GHC) and so forth. There’s also the more upscale restaurants with beautiful interiors and menus and with waiters in uniforms and booking registers at the entrance where classics like pepper steak and sole meuniere are served, and unfortunately most of them are not worth even half the money they are charging. Real cooks hardly take things from packages or cans or use the microwave and they make their own sauces and use fresh ingredients. And cook. Internationally professional cooks study at least 2-3 years and then do a few years of attachments in the better restaurants before anyone would hire them. There are indeed 6 month courses where you can obtain “certified cook”, but don't think much of it. And some really never learn. At the end of the day it is best to ask friends, but there again one still has to be careful, some are happy with any rubbish as long as they can say they were there.

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: The Corporate Girlie’s Guide to Lingerie-Inspired Fashion in Accra, Quality clothing? China, the other side of the coin, Anemia, and Au Grand Ecuyer

The Corporate Girlie’s Guide to Lingerie-Inspired Fashion in Accra. Before HR starts sweating, let’s be clear: We’re talking lingerie-inspired fashion — chic, polished, and office-appropriate styling that whispers elegance instead of screaming bedroom playlist. The Golden Rule: Suggest, Don’t Shock: Corporate lingerie styling is all about subtlety. We are inspiring curiosity, not starting emergency office meetings. Keep it classy by: Layering strategically Avoiding overly sheer fabrics Choosing neutral tones for work settings Keeping hemlines and fits polished Because the goal is fashion editor energy, not “the office group chat discussing you before lunch.” Confidence Is the Real Outfit: The beauty of lingerie-inspired corporate fashion is the balance of strength and softness. It reminds us that power dressing doesn’t always have to be stiff blazers and black trousers every single day. Sometimes power dressing is: Silk instead of cotton Lace instead of plain basics Confidence instead of playing safe. And the Accra girlies? Oh, we know how to do both business and beauty effortlessly. Now excuse us while we strut into the office looking like the CEO of elegance. Quality clothing? What to look for? Look for signs of wear, if already the item has snags, premature peeling or bubbling on the fabric, likely caused by friction from people trying on the garment, it's probably not a quality purchase. Turn the item inside out. Does it look as good on the inside as it does on the outside? If so, it's a good indication you've got a decent quality garment. Look for quality hemming, button holes, buttons, are the button holes at the right place for the buttons? What about the zip, does it look quality? Does it run smoothly? Is it stitched in and invisible? While the piece is inverted, lightly tug at the seams that join the panels of fabric together. They shouldn't be loose or show any big gaps when you pull at them. Consider the material. It should make sense for the purpose of the garment. For example, if you're buying a sweater, choose one with a material that will keep you warm, like wool. If you're buying summer clothes, choose fabrics that will keep you cool, like linen. If you're buying swimwear or sportswear, you'll likely need a synthetic performance or technical fabric. Don't conflate durability with quality. If a garment falls apart in the wash, it's not necessarily a bad piece of clothing. Silk or clothing with beading and embroidery, may need handwashing. Read the labels. What material is it? Are there proper washing instructions?

China, the other side of the Chinese yuan coin (also called renmibi). China, superpower, super copier, factory of the world, making robots, electric cars and the iPhone. Right now they are building the longest bridge, the deepest tunnel, the highest building, what not. They have moved from the 3 years of hunger (1959-1961) when about 40 million people died of hunger (Ghana has about 36 million people) to a country that is now economically challenging the world order (where the USA claims to be on top). So a loud Ayeeko is not out of place. But? Europe has about 6 % unemployment, the USA 4.3 %. And the Chinese? Similar figures, except for young people, 16% cannot find a job. So they go for anything they can get, like delivery services for those who are busy with their job. And here is the interesting part. Those who have a job work so hard and so much that they don't have time to make friends. So if they want to have a nice dinner they hire a companion. Someone who does not have a job. Or to go to the cinema. Or to go hiking. It’s a big business, 200 million people, 14 % of the Chinese population is available for rent. To do shopping for you or to go shopping with so you don't have to feel lonely.

Anemia. The latest (2022) Ghana Demographic and Health Survey claims that 40 % of Ghanian women of reproductive age have anemia. And amongst pregnant women it is 50 %. Some regions have higher figures, like 70 %. What is it? Your blood mainly consists of red and white blood cells (and a host of other things), the red blood cells carry oxygen to where it is needed to get energy (organs, cells, muscles), we get oxygen by breathing. Anemia is insufficient red blood cells (RBC in your lab results). Anemia symptoms often include headache, dizziness, palpitations (the sudden, abnormal awareness of your own heartbeat), pallor (an unnatural paleness or loss of colour in the skin), tiredness and out of breath. And low birth weight children. How come? Assuming you are not “sick” (not suffering from illness such as malaria, sickle cell, or severe blood loss) you mainly get anemia by not eating sufficient iron rich food. What is iron rich food? Beans, beef, (chicken) liver, chickpeas, dark chocolate, eggs, lentils, oats, pumpkin seeds, sardines, spinach, tuna. Trick: add vitamin C to every meal, like bell pepper, tomato, orange or lemon for better iron absorption, avoid tea, coffee, milk, yogurt and cheese 2 hours before meals, they block iron absorption. And don’t overcook those green leaves.

Au Grand Ecuyer. Ring Road, opposite Fire Service Headquarters, Osu, Accra , popularly called the French restaurant, though they sell many local and African dishes as well, is one of my favourites. They sell a very good local tasty tender beef steak at 200 GHC, no need to import from Argentina or Australia, it comes with potato chips, mashed potatoes or green beans (you could choose others) and if you want with black pepper sauce. Popular is attiéké (also spelled adjèkè, acheke) with tilapia, you mostly will not be able to finish this huge fish and have to go for take away. Their shrimp avocado salad is also nice and fresh, they add tomato on request. There’s more, much more there, prices are a bit reasonable.

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: Lace Under the Blazer (1), Louis Vuitton, Chanel and the others in the high value fashion range now for everybody? Contemporary Modern Art Masters, and Funny food at Fairway

Lace Under the Blazer (1). Gone are the days when lingerie belonged strictly behind closed doors. The modern Accra corporate girl knows that a little satin, lace, and confidence can absolutely clock in at 8 AM and still make the boardroom her runway. Slip Dresses, But Make It Executive; That silky slip dress sitting in your wardrobe? Layer it with a structured blazer and suddenly it transforms from “date night in Cantonments” to “creative director at the strategy meeting.” Add: Pointed heels A sleek tote bag Gold jewelry Your serious LinkedIn face Boom. Corporate chic. Lace Details Are the New Power Move; A camisole peeking subtly under a tailored suit? Elite behavior. The trick is balance. If the top feels soft and feminine, the tailoring should be sharp. Think: Lace cami + wide-leg trousers Satin blouse + structured pencil skirt Corset-inspired top + oversized blazer It’s giving soft power. And honestly? Accra fashion girls are mastering it beautifully. Satin at 9 AM? Absolutely. Satin fabrics move differently. They catch light. They create drama. They make even a quick coffee run in Osu feel cinematic. A satin button-down tucked into high-waisted trousers is the kind of outfit that says: “I replied to all my emails and I look expensive.” Dior, Chanel and the others in the high value fashion range now for everybody? Yes and No. Recently the big ones increased their prices by an easy 50-100%, so they would make more profit, they have shareholders to satisfy (and you were the victim). But many (about 50 million in the case of Dior and Chanel) turned away and went for cheaper brands. Prices are now down a bit, but many of those who turned away have realized they can get the same thing, or something closely similar much cheaper, and stayed there. So now the big ones are starting to offer some of their entry level products like scarves, belts, earrings, headbands at prices starting from “only” 500 USD plus and make collaborations through the likes of Zara and H&M. So that you too could have the real thing. John Galliano, UK fashion Guru who has designed for Dior and Givenchy now works with Zara, and Stella McCartney works with H&M. More to follow.

Contemporary Modern Art Masters. If we think of art auctions, those where paintings go for millions of Dollars, names like Christie and Sotheby may come to mind. But there are many others, like Rago Wright, an American auction house operating more in niche markets. Not fetching all those millions, but still. I am mentioning this because our own Amoako Boafo also was represented in this year’s spring auction in May. Here’s a few examples of what was offered for sale: Sam Gilliam, Sun Woman (1970) An abstract hanging sculpture made of draped and folded fabric-like material is suspended against a plain gray wall. Sam Gilliam, Sun Woman (1970) Amoako Boafo, Girl in Yellow (2019) A painting of a young Black person wearing a bright yellow top against a plain white background. Amoako Boafo, Girl in Yellow (2019) $70,400 Amoako Boafo catapulted to fame in 2019 following a residency at the Rubell Museum, Miami, and headlining feature at Art Basel Miami Beach. In 2020, he undertook a high-profile collaboration with Dior, and his name became at the forefront of artists to watch. Boafo’s work has already been acquired by major collections like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art among others. Miyoko Ito, Adam and Eve (1957) An abstract painting composed of overlapping geometric shapes in deep blue, black, brown, green, and muted pink against a warm golden-yellow background. Rounded and angular forms suggest two standing human figures facing each other. Miyoko Ito, Adam and Eve (1957) $281,600 Drawing from the creative vernacular of Cubism and Surrealism Maria Martins, Impossible (1946) A surreal bronze sculpture depicts two abstract humanoid figures facing one another against a dark gray background. Maria Martins, Impossible (1946). Est. $150,000–$200,000. Sold for $3.17 million. A key figure within the Surrealism movement of the 1940s Magdalena Abakanowicz, Small Figure with Polygon (1993) An abstract sculpture featuring a rough-textured, leg-like human form balanced upright on top of a geometric metal wheel structure. The pale, elongated figure appears headless and incomplete, standing on a delicate framework of thin dark rods arranged in polygonal shapes. Set against a dark gray background, the sculpture casts angular shadows that emphasize its fragile, precarious balance. Magdalena Abakanowicz, Small Figure with Polygon (1993). Sold for $70,400. Pioneering Polish sculptor and fiber artist. And all that for only 70,000 $. So if you haven’t made up your mind as to what you want to do in future, consider becoming an artiste, or an auctioneer (they typically earn between 15 and 30 % of the sales value, so in the case of Amoaka about 150,000 GHC). How much did you say you earn in a year?

Funny food at Fairway. (5th Circular Road, Opposite Alisa Hotel, Accra) If you are looking for something unusual or celebratory to eat, try Fairway. I went to buy Tahini (a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds), not every place sells that, and then stumbled upon goat butter, which even in Europe its difficult to get. 400 GHC/kilo. Or organic certified wild rice at 295 GHC/Kg (discounted, was 425), Al peperoneine spaghetti 500 grams at 165 GHC (spaghetti with hot pepper), or a mix of different pastas, 2kg at 525 GHC. You can find strange things here but need a full wallet. Yes, I am talking Fairway in Accra, Ghana.

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, Leticia. This week's subjects: Sneakers for corporate days Part 2, Shein ignores creators copyright, Modern Day Threats, Urinary Tract Infections and the treatment (UTIs), and Cyril Restaurant and Grill Bar at the Bulgaria Cultural Centre

Sneakers for corporate days Part 2. Denim Days (Yes, It’s Possible) If your office allows denim, elevate dark-wash jeans with a structured top and blazer. Finish with neutral sneakers. It’s casual Friday, but make it fashion editor-approved. Keep It Minimal, Keep It Sharp Corporate sneaker styling isn’t about loud colours (save that for brunch). Stick to whites, blacks, beiges, or muted tones. The goal? Clean, polished, intentional. Grooming is the Real MVP Let’s be honest—dirty sneakers will ruin the whole vibe. Keep them spotless. Corporate sneakers should look fresh out of the box… even if they’re not. Confidence is Your Best Accessory Wearing sneakers to work isn’t just a style choice—it’s a statement. It says you value comfort, confidence, and a little bit of edge. And in today’s fashion-forward corporate world, that’s exactly the energy we love. So go ahead, lace up, step in, and own that office floor—one stylish stride at a time. Shein ignores creators' copyright. Shein has opened up to third parties to sell their products through the Shein platform. They do ask these “third party suppliers” to make sure that there is no copy right infringement, but do they really care? If told that something had been copied, only after a lengthy time consuming verification process do they take that product out of their offer, but compensation? And how would an individual designer in Ghana now sue Shein? Shein or the third party? And in view of the history of the Chinese copying anything and flouting any law as if it does not exist we are in for the worst. Anyway, see copying of your design as a compliment, if that consoles you.

Modern Day Threats. A girl has to be careful these days. A few years ago we had Balthazar in Equatorial Guinea who had sex with about half the countries' ministers' wives and filmed it and then all went viral. I read that the case is still under investigation. Indeed, be careful before you allow your boy friend to film you in all your glory, some can turn very wicked. Then we had that Russian man who went round picking girls up and having sex with them and filming it by keeping his camera spectacles on. And again posted it. He escaped, and as there is no exchange treaty between Russia and Ghana, even if we prosecute him he will still walk free, and the Russians will do nothing, he did nothing illegal there. And now the latest one, fasten your seat belts. There is a nice looking guy from Puerto Rico (part of the USA) in his 30's visiting many countries in Africa, he is looking for 5 wives, each from a different country. He obviously has money, travelling is not free. The advantage of course is that statistically he would only trouble you once every 5 days, but somehow I smell a rat. Be careful.

Urinary Tract Infections and the treatment (UTIs). These are very common, about 40 % of Ghanaian women in the cities get it at one time or another. You can even get it from hospital toilets (which can be surprisingly dirty). Untreated it can lead to infertility. So doctors take drastic action, or you can just visit a pharmacist who knows what to prescribe. In fact they don’t. Like with any bacterial infection there is a sensitivity test to be done, it matches the specific bacteria which has infected you against different types of antibiotics and suggests which one may work and which one may not. In other words there is no one cure that treats all. Because the pharmacist does not have this sensitivity report he simply gives a last resort antibiotic (normally only used if nothing else works against a certain bacteria), which will almost surely work, but due to over prescriptions of this last resort antibiotic this one will also soon suffer resistance and not work again. This is one of the fears in the medical world, that we’ll run out of working antibiotics. In the UK 2400 people died in 2024 because of this, in 2023 it was 2000 people. But back to our pharmacist here in Ghana. So they can prescribe ciprofloxacin, a last resort antibiotic, call it an overkill. And one of the reasons doctors want to refrain from using ciprofloxacin is that it can have quite some side effects, like nerve damage, seizures, hallucination, suicidal thoughts, and liver and kidney failure. The pharmacist likely did not tell you that, only the cost of the drug and how often to take it. Try AI and ask if ciprofloxacin is an over the counter drug (no prescription needed). Thank me later.

Cyril Restaurant and Grill Bar at the Bulgaria Cultural Centre. 10 Kakramadu Road, Cantonments, Accra, of course serves Bulgarian food, I like their potato chips with Bulgarian cheese, cucumber soup with yoghurt, bean soup and thripe soup, and there is much more. But they also serve Dutch specialties like bitterballen, stamppot and pork liver sausage. A limited choice of Ghanaian dishes is also on the menu. Vodka goes for 30 GHC a shot, an excellent Margarita cocktail costs 80 GHC. Cheese or plain hamburger is 80 GHC, calamari fingers 90 GHC, draft Club beer small 30 GHC, malt 30 GHC, chicken fried rice 100 GHC, tuna salad 80 GHC. The sound system is reasonable and the manager adjusts the music to the sort of visitors inside. Service is correct though some of the staff must be very clearly told what you want, but this is not unusual in Accra, even our President was complaining about it. Same street has The Tipsy Gelato ice cream and 80/20 burgers etc. The ice cream closes at 2200 pm.

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.