Season of love turns sour for Valentine traders in Accra as AMA clears traders on pavement
Stacks of teddy bears, neatly wrapped gift boxes, and cartons of chocolates remain unsold in warehouses across Accra’s Central Business District, as Valentine’s Day vendors say the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) enforcement exercise is crippling their ability to cash in on the season of love.
The situation came to light during interactions between The Mirror and traders at Kingsway, Okaishie and around the COCOBOD area in Accra last Wednesday.
Vendors who had stocked up heavily in anticipation of February 14 fear they may not recover the capital invested in the seasonal trade.
Many explained that the AMA had intensified efforts to clear traders and other activities from restricted road shoulders and pavements demarcated under its “red line” policy. However, they say the exercise has severely affected their businesses, which rely heavily on festive seasons for profit.
At Kingsway, Nana Adwoa, who has sold Valentine items for five years, said the AMA task force had not provided them with adequate space to operate.
“The cost of these items is high, so AMA should allow us to sell openly and cash out,” she appealed. “After Valentine’s Day, we will move. Otherwise, we will have to lock the items up in the warehouse until next year.”
Madam Ernestina said the impact goes beyond low sales, as some vendors risk defaulting on loans taken to finance their stock.
“I have been here since morning, and I have sold only two packs of chocolates,” she said. “We have many items still at the wholesale shop. After this week, we can’t sell them. Why can’t they allow us to trade in February because of Valentine’s Day, so we can also make some profit? Our money is locked up.”
Changing trends
The Mirror observed that this year’s Valentine's Day packages differ from previous years.
Beyond the usual chocolates and boxer shorts, vendors have introduced more practical items such as food warmers, mugs, singlets, waist beads and even electric irons to make packages more appealing.
Each vendor offered a unique combination, giving customers a wide range of options. Instead of the traditional champagne paired with two boxers, some packages now include colourful waist beads, mugs, food warmers, singlets or irons.
Linda, a vendor, said the changes were intentional.
“The usual boxers are becoming outdated, so we added a nice mug, food warmer and singlet so women won’t send only boxers. The boxers alone are too plain, so we’ve upgraded the packages,” she explained.
Prices range between GH¢90 and GH¢350, depending on the contents. A package containing two boxers, a singlet and a mug sold for GH¢120, while a medium-sized teddy bear paired with two boxers, a singlet and a mug went for GH¢350.
Sales frustration
On the pavement near COCOBOD, Naa Kai said she had sold only two pieces of chocolate since morning, describing the enforcement exercise as making business conditions “miserable.”
“Last year, they allowed us to sell ahead of Valentine’s Day. This year, we have pleaded several times, but they refused. Our items are still in stock,” she said.
Some vendors also complained about restrictions on displaying chocolates openly. Isaac Antwi said the fear of sudden task force swoops forces traders to hurriedly pack up their goods, sometimes damaging delicate items.
“We have made-in-Ghana chocolates, but we can’t sell properly because when the task force comes, and people run over the goods, they get destroyed — and we have only Saturday to sell,” he said, later showing this reporter a warehouse filled with unsold stock.
Ama Osae said vendors had endured three weeks of constant disruption.
“You arrange your items, and once you see the task force approaching, you quickly pack them up. That has been the routine for three weeks,” she said.
Despite the slow sales, many traders remain hopeful that last-minute shoppers will salvage the season.
“We are waiting for last-minute shopping. Ghanaians like doing things at the last minute, and we believe they will come,” she added.
From Cape Coast, Joana Kumi reports that Teddy bears, chocolates and brightly wrapped hampers have been displayed on the frontages of shops in Cape Coast as traders anticipate a surge in sales for Valentine’s Day today.
Boutiques are turning red with dresses and accessories displayed in shades traditionally associated with the celebration of love.
However, some traders said the city was still warming up to the occasion, as many residents appear to be weighing Valentine’s celebrations against other social commitments.
A walk from Kotokraba through Kingsway and adjoining areas showed modest commercial activity ahead of today, with only a handful of shops visibly stocked with Valentine-themed items.
Some traders expressed cautious optimism that last-minute shopping and weekend purchases could boost sales.
At Kotokraba, Nelly Ampiah, a seller, said business had been slow in the days leading up to the celebration but remained hopeful.
Her shop displayed teddy bears, hampers, diaries, mugs, flowers, chocolates, perfume sprays, pomades, handkerchiefs, greeting cards and dresses.
“Usually, people buy at the last minute, so I am waiting,” she said, and added that the celebration falling on a Saturday could work in her favour.
At Mama Tee Gift Shop, Edith Essuman said patronage had improved compared to last year. She noted that items such as panties, teddy bears, night dresses and chocolates were selling steadily, although she expected sales to peak yesterday.
Rachel Morrison, who has sold Valentine’s gifts for over five years and now works as a sales agent, said enquiries had begun early, explaining that demand typically rose sharply a day before Valentine’s Day.
A gift seller with six years of experience, Joojo Ernest, said he had received many orders, particularly from customers within the University of Cape Coast (UCC). He added that all packages would be delivered today.
Among potential buyers were 15-year-old Freda Ewonam and Faustina Appiah, who said they had saved specifically to buy a diary for a close friend who had been supportive of them.
Beyond gift sales, Valentine’s activities in the city appeared limited, with posters advertising funerals more prominently than celebration events on February 14.
A resident, who declined to give his name, said he would be attending a funeral on Valentine’s Day, explaining that social obligations often took precedence over such celebrations.
Similarly, Akua Adams said she planned to attend a wedding scheduled for the same day, leaving little room for Valentine-related activities.
Some churches, however, have taken advantage of the occasion to organise programmes for their members.
Castle City Church has announced a programme titled “A Journey of Two,”* featuring a seminar, question-and-answer sessions, games and a movie show. As part of the celebrations, the church will also host a couples’ dinner night on Sunday, themed “The Lord, Love and Our Homes.”
The Wesley Methodist Cathedral in Cape Coast has also scheduled an event dubbed “Before You Say I Do” at its premises at 5 p.m.
A Level 300 student of UCC said she was unlikely to spend much on Valentine’s Day, as she had a quiz scheduled for Monday and preferred to use the weekend to study.
“I will probably just send a message and focus on my studies,” she said.
Meanwhile, fresh students at the University of Cape Coast are expected to participate in an Akwaaba tour, with visits planned to Kakum National Park and the Cape Coast Castle today.
