Dating in Accra: Where Mobile Money Speaks Louder Than Sweet Words

For young couples, affection is now measured in MoMo alerts as much as whispered sweet nothings. Where once flowers or handwritten letters might have sufficed, today’s relationships often revolve around support with bills, data, or even “urgent 2k” requests.

Social media has fueled this transformation. Instagram lifestyles set unrealistic standards. A simple date at a lounge or restaurant can cost the average man half his week’s salary. Women, equally pressured, see financial support as proof of seriousness. “If he really loves me, he’ll show it through action,” is a common refrain.

But this financialization of love has consequences. Many young men feel trapped between their incomes and expectations. Some withdraw from dating altogether, while others overextend financially to keep up appearances. Ghosting, heartbreak, and transactional relationships are often the result.

Yet amid the cynicism, new forms of partnership are also emerging. Couples pool resources for businesses, travel together, and use MoMo not just as transactions but as shared investments in a future.

Conclusion: Money may not buy love, but in Accra, it undeniably shapes it. The question facing today’s youth is whether love can return to sincerity, or whether the romance economy is here to stay.