The festive season in Ghana is one of the most joyful times of the year. Markets overflow, families travel long distances to reunite, and social and religious activities become vibrant.
With this increased movement and excitement, a few preventable risks also become more common.
The goal of this article is not to create fear, but to offer simple, realistic ways for everyone to enjoy the season confidently and responsibly.
Safe Shopping
Markets and malls get crowded during Christmas, and distractions create opportunities for petty theft and scams. Many shoppers have experienced moments where they reached for their phones only to find them missing after squeezing through a busy walkway or boarding a trotro.
A good practice is to carry bags in front, zip them properly, and avoid keeping phones or wallets in back pockets. A woman at Kaneshie, Accra, recently reported that her purse was taken while she bent to check prices—she didn’t even feel it go. Awareness is your best protection.
If you need to withdraw cash, try doing so from ATMs inside banks, not isolated spots. Avoid counting money in public.
When shopping online, choose known businesses. A number of people last year ordered shoes and phones from “flash sales” on social media, only to receive completely different items—or nothing at all.
Finally, keep children close. The festive crowds can be overwhelming, and many parents have experienced moments of panic searching for a child who simply wandered into the next shop.
Festive season scams
Scammers become more active because people are excited and often distracted.
A very common trick is the “wrong number” MoMo call. For example, a young man in Ho in the Volta Region recently received a call from someone claiming to have mistakenly sent him GHS 300.
The caller sounded emotional and pleaded for the money to be returned. Fortunately, the receiver checked his balance and realised nothing had come in. Many victims only realise later that they sent their own money to a fraudster.
Fake promotions also surge. Last year, several people received WhatsApp links claiming MTN was giving out “Christmas hampers” to loyal customers. Clicking the link exposed their personal information.
Always verify promotions directly from official telecom pages or customer service lines. No legitimate institution will ever ask for your PIN or password.
Travel safety
Travel increases significantly in December—by road, air and water. Many incidents occur not because of bad luck, but because of little oversights.
A family travelling from Kumasi to Accra recently avoided a breakdown because they chose to check their tyre pressure, water level, oil level, brake fluid level and headlights before setting off. That simple decision saved them hours of delay and potential danger on the highway.
Try to avoid the last-minute rush. Most risky driving behaviour—speeding, tailgating, dangerous overtaking—happens because drivers feel pressured to “make time” or make more trips for more money. Leaving early reduces stress and increases safety.
Transport Unions should ensure adequate arrangements are made for the numerous passengers and also avoiding late nigh travels.
If travelling by water, especially on the Volta Lake, insist on life jackets and avoid overloaded boats. Survivors of past lake incidents consistently mention that overcrowding was a major factor.
Keep valuables close and labelled. Many travellers have lost laptops, passports, or bags simply because they placed them overhead or under seats without proper identification.
Protect your money and health
Festive season discounts are everywhere, but not all bargains are genuine. A shopper in Lapaz, Accra, once shared how she bought a heavily discounted blender, which began smoking the first time it was plugged in.
Compare prices from multiple vendors, and be cautious with surprisingly low prices on electronics, perfumes, or toys. Many cheap power banks or chargers can overheat, posing fire risks.
Food items—especially poultry and canned goods—also require attention. Some vendors sell items close to expiry or stored in unsafe conditions. Always check dates, seals and packaging.
If something doesn’t feel right, walk away. No festive deal is worth risking your money or safety.
Celebrate fully, celebrate safely
The festive season is meant for joy, connection and celebration—not fear or worry. With a little planning and awareness, every Ghanaian can move around confidently and protect what matters.
Safety is not about being afraid; it is about being mindful and prepared.
This season, let us all embrace a “Safety-first mindset” and look out for one another.
Please share your experiences so that together we can help educate more people to save lives and property.
The writer is a Certified Protection Professional, CPP and retired Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Email: info@misornu.org
WhatsApp: 0201240091
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
