Oh, and it’s all done in red.

And no I’m not talking about Arsene Wenger and his group of lackeys in London although Jose Mourinho and his bunch over in Manchester make a very convincing case themselves. Tis the season of love, or rather the day of love. Well, for some.

Valentine’s Day has historically produced a fair few heartbreaks with many people – guys and girls (sans yours truly) – brutally kicked in the groins by it. I am not averse to the odd display of affection; the slight kiss, the long, almost archaic love messages, the sweet names. However, it becomes a little suffocating when everyone converges on this one day to ‘show their love.’

I, myself, find it fascinating (looking in from the outside of course), the lengths men would go to please their mates or would-be conquests on this day.They shower them with gifts of jewellery, clothes, flowers and the ultimate symbol of the day itself, chocolate, or a colourful blend of the lot. The women don’t shy away from spoiling their partners as well, doling out candy like, well candy, among other sweet-based, love-linked goodies.

I had a pal in High School who spent literally all the money he had on a teddy bear as big as I am for his girlfriend; a lovely gesture at the time, although they broke up a week later.

Don’t get me wrong, these displays of affection may be considered romantic, and some are very much so, but are they really necessary? I mean, both parties claim to be in love with each other. Isn’t it enough that they admit it? If those two believe they have a future together isn’t that money better saved for when they get married? But hey, that’s just me.

Having spent the last 23 years alone on Valentine’s Day, February 14 doesn’t hold as much significance for me as it does for a lot of other people. Not that I haven’t been with anyone before but, perhaps a little strangely, every relationship I’ve ever been in seems to end right before Valentine’s.

At the top of the piece, I mentioned how “red” the day generally is. However, after an argument with a close female friend (and a Val’s day enthusiast, I must add), I concur that it very unfair to anyone who might coincidentally wear a red apparel on the day because they just feel like it (however unlikely it may seem). Although some of it, and I cite an example of a lady in a red dress, with matching lipstick, handbag, shoe and hair I saw on my way to school, is utterly ridiculous.

The day of love, lots of unnecessary spending and a whole lot of bother, in my opinion. The day should be one to spend with your loved ones, a chance for enemies to become friends, a day to strengthen existing friendships and establish new ones.

To see this special occasion being reduced to nothing more than a chorus of “he gave me this” and “I got that for her” makes me think that instead of running around town planning surprises and picking out the perfect presents, the day would be better spent taking a long nap. No really, why bother?

Oh yeah, and to those it may concern, Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

By: Elorm Paa Kwesi

The post Red Day blues: To love or not to love [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Takoradi-based rapper and singer, signed on to Sound Lion records, released a peace song in the run up to the 2016 general elections today Tuesday, February 14, released the love song.

The song, whose video is yet to be released was song with a mix of English, Twi and Fante lines.

“Love forever” is a single off Sayvee’s 2016 album titled, “Woei Soh” which has songs such as “Today be today” and “Feeling good.”

The song talks about loving one’s partner unconditionally forever.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Sayvee releases new Val’s day song appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Like an artist
Your physique is the very image
I have drawn in my heart’s eyes for decades
And when you stroll in those legs
And alluring skin
My eyes see none other

I can indeed comprehend
Why you can’t cling to me until I push beyond my limit
I crave for you
Like a ravenous baby clings on a mother’s nipple
For Breastmilk

I bid you to search my heart intensely
For my craving is not lustful
But long-lasting
It’s not only true
But profound and immeasurable

Like a finished gold artefact
My love is refined
Through the stages of heartbreaks
And it comes with a value
That only you have met

My night-time of rest
Has turned into endless thoughts of you

The suppleness of your words
The melodic tone of your speech
And the meekness in your deeds
Grows my affection for you ceaselessly

My heart has yearned so long
For a woman such as you
And like the son of man
I ask for just a loaf of your love
That I may multiply it

Defeat your fears woman of valour
And let your sprightly self embrace love again
For you are worthy of never-ending glee
Destined by him that orders our steps

Save me the agony of yet
Another unrequited love
But only if you can hear
The sound of my heartbeat
In yours

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie

The post Thou Priceless Pearl – (A Poem To That Special Woman) appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The order prohibits the display of adverts on electronic and print media that reference Valentine’s Day, bans the sale of associated merchandise and states that the day cannot be celebrated in “any public space or government building.”

The court has requested Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to monitor these platforms and share any information that shows that the ban has been compromised.

The court’s order came after a petition was submitted by a citizen called Abdul Waheed — who claimed that ongoing promotions of Valentine’s Day were “against the teachings of Islam and should be banned immediately.”In Pakistan, Valentine’s Day is seen by some as amoral and an appropriation of Western culture.

Resistance against it is not completely unusual. Religious groups like the Islamic political party jamat e Islami have often protested against marking Valentine’s Day in the country and hold rallies annually against the celebration on February 14.

In 2016, the local government in the city of Peshawar in the country’s northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhua also banned celebrations.

The country’s president Mamnoon Hussain, made a statement in February 2016, asking Pakistan’s not to celebrate the day since it was “not a part of Muslim tradition, but of the West.”

The Islamabad High Court’s decision has also divided social media users, with some tweeting for the ban and others vehemently against it.

A chance to promote business

Though Valentine’s day tends not to be celebrated widely across the country, in recent years, various companies have used the event to promote their products.

In the first week of February, vendors start selling heart-shaped balloons and the price of red roses increases.

In Islamabad’s markets Monday, florists standing amid large heart-shaped garlands of roses and bouquets of daffodils and jasmine were worried by the effects of the ban.

“We spend four to five days making these, I’ve got forty of them ready to be sold for tomorrow,” Sultan Zaib, told CNN.

Mohammad Naveed, who runs a roadside flower shop, told CNN that he had invested close to the equivalent of $2000 on buying blooms for Valentine’s Day.

Florists source flowers from abroad and from the nearby fields of Punjab. Usually they earn about $80 for a day’s sales, but the amount increases tenfold on Valentine‘s day.

“If they ban us from selling these tomorrow then it will be a disaster, we simply cannot afford this,” said Naveed.

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Source: CNN

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