A house may have solid walls, a secure gate and freshly painted rooms, but without a clear tenancy agreement, the relationship between landlord and tenant can become surprisingly fragile.

In Ghana’s increasingly pressured rental market, the tenancy agreement is more than a formality.

It is the document that sets out who is responsible for what, how much rent is payable, how long the tenancy lasts and what happens when either party wants the arrangement to end.

Putting the Relationship in Writing

For a tenant moving into a property in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi or another growing urban centre, excitement about securing a home can sometimes overshadow the paperwork.

Yet details that seem minor at the beginning—who pays for repairs, which utilities are included, whether subletting is permitted or how a security deposit is handled—can become major sources of disagreement later.

A properly drafted agreement should identify the landlord and tenant, provide the property’s full address, state the start and end dates, specify the rent and outline maintenance, access, termination and payment responsibilities.

These details matter for property owners too. Clear terms can protect an investment, establish expectations for occupants and reduce disputes that can become costly and time-consuming.

A Rental Market Under Pressure

The need for clarity comes as Ghana continues to examine how its rental system should work in a rapidly urbanising country.

The Rent Control Department operates under the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), while government has been pursuing reforms addressing issues including rent assessment and excessive rent advances.

The department has also introduced digital services for property registration, complaints and tenancy agreements, signalling a gradual shift towards a more formal and accessible rental system.

For landlords and tenants, the lesson is straightforward: don’t treat the agreement as something to sign quickly and forget. Read every clause, clarify anything unclear and seek professional legal advice where necessary.

In a competitive housing market, a good tenancy agreement does not create distrust. It creates certainty—and certainty is one of the most valuable things a landlord and tenant can share.

Intermittent fasting is often reduced to one question: “How many hours can you go without eating?” But there is another question worth asking: when does your eating window happen?

A person who fasts for 16 hours but consumes most of their food late at night may be approaching fasting very differently from someone who finishes dinner several hours before bed.

Research into circadian rhythms suggests that the body’s ability to process food and regulate blood sugar changes throughout the day, making meal timing an important part of the fasting conversation.

Earlier Eating, Lighter Evenings

This does not mean everyone needs to eat breakfast at exactly 8 a.m. or stop eating the moment the sun goes down. Individual schedules, work patterns and health needs matter.

But there is a useful principle behind the idea of eating earlier: avoid making dinner your biggest meal of the day.

Think about a typical evening. After work, traffic and household responsibilities, dinner can easily become the day’s largest meal—perhaps a generous serving of rice and stew, fried plantain, meat, drinks and dessert.

Eating a heavy meal shortly before going to bed can leave little time for digestion before sleep.

A more practical approach is to make lunch the substantial meal and keep dinner moderate, particularly if it is eaten close to bedtime.

For many people, this could mean vegetables with fish or lean protein, a modest portion of a staple such as yam, brown rice or banku, and enough food to feel satisfied without being uncomfortably full.

Fasting Is Not a Competition

The transcript also recommends herbal mixtures, warm breakfasts and an eight-hour eating window.

Some people may find these routines comfortable, but fasting does not become healthier simply because the window is shorter.

Evidence for intermittent fasting varies, and what matters most is whether the pattern is nutritionally adequate and sustainable.

The bigger lesson is simple: don’t judge intermittent fasting only by the hours on the clock.

Pay attention to meal quality, portion sizes, sleep, activity and—perhaps most importantly—when your largest meals arrive. A fasting routine should support your health, not turn eating into another endurance test.

There are outfits that simply look good, and then there are looks that make a statement about where beauty comes from.

This fringe resort dress, paired with a sculptural afro threaded with cowry shells, does the latter with striking ease.

At the centre of the look is the hairstyle. The full natural afro is shaped into an elegant updo, with delicate cowry shells woven through the hair like jewellery.

Across African communities, cowry shells have carried associations with prosperity, femininity, protection and identity.

Here, their presence feels less like decoration and more like a deliberate styling choice—turning natural hair into a canvas for cultural expression.

The cream fringe dress brings a softer rhythm to the ensemble. As the fringes move, they add texture and fluidity, giving the outfit a relaxed resort sensibility without losing its sophistication.

Its warm neutral tone also allows the richness of the wearer’s complexion and the sculptural hair to command attention.

Stacked wooden bangles complete the look, reinforcing its connection to natural materials and handcrafted design.

There is little need for excessive jewellery or elaborate styling. Every element has room to breathe, creating a polished aesthetic that feels rooted rather than overworked.

That balance is what makes the outfit compelling. It challenges the idea that African-inspired fashion must be loud to be recognisably African.

Sometimes, heritage speaks through a shell placed carefully in an afro, an earthy colour against melanin-rich skin, or a handmade accessory worn with confidence.

The look ultimately makes a simple but powerful fashion argument: authenticity can be luxurious.

Natural hair, cultural symbols and African-inspired styling do not need to be softened or disguised to fit contemporary fashion.

They can occupy the centre of the frame—and set the tone for what modern African beauty looks like.