Some Valentine card sellers in the country say their business is  gradually fading out as  more and more Ghanaians adopt smart phones and social media as their means of sending messages of affection.

The sellers complain that technology and innovations have become a stumbling block to their business since, most events are no longer celebrated with cards

"Now they do it on their own so they don't come to buy our cards," a card seller lamented.

"Once upon a time this shop was one of the best shops when it came to Valentine's and other assorted cards," he said. "But now you just bring a dozen of cards and they don't move."

Back in the days, friends and families would send greeting cards to loved ones wishing them success in their endeavors be it marriages, birthdays, exams or Valentine's Day.

But today, WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms have killed this tradition which was once used as a measure of the bond between lovers.

 

Ghana Verkauf von Karten u.A. zum Valentinstag (DW/M. Suuk)


For the younger generation of lovers like Obaafie Patricia, weddings, birthday anniversaries, academic successes and Christmas wishes are no longer celebrated with a card.

"If you do not give her a card, it doesn't mean that the love is fading but that they don't value cards anymore."

"Who cares about cards and Valentine's Day anyway?" she asked.

Reports from some parts of the country suggest that the greeting card business appears to be entering the final stage in its business life cycle.

Businessman Ibrahim Shamsudeen Taimako said that people involved in such businesses have only two options: to get out or to diversify.

"Once technology is involved, you have no option but to embrace the new," he said.

It appears that business cards are now more important than greeting cards on the road to success in Ghana.