“All these old happy photographs framing us Mind Games give migraines, how I for do? In the war of roses, nobody wins, it’s true…”

After the universal critical acclaim for his ‘No Shortcut to Heaven’ video featuring Obrafour, Ghana’s rap champ,
M.anifest is back with another visual for ‘Mind Games’, the latest off his Apae EP.

He trades the pans of a small-scale miner for the seeming comforts of a New York apartment in telling the tale
of a complicated romance – a tale of two broken hearts.

The video, which was shot in Brooklyn, New York, sees director Garth Von Glehn of Film Fam skilfully weaving
between the happy and frustrating moments that characterize many romantic relationships.
Von Glehn focuses on the emotional detail of a relationship’s toughest times with stylistic elements of organic
retro chic.

An aesthetically minimalist video, we see the two protagonists, M.anifest and his love interest reminisce on the
vicissitudes of relationships – happy to sad to angry all over again. M.anifest plays an avant garde avid 8MM filmmaker who blurs the lines between life, love and art.

M.anifest has gradually carved for himself a reputation for releasing the most creative videos and this one
doesn’t disappoint, bringing to life his lyrics and distinct story telling capabilities.

Check out the video at the link below.

M.anifest

The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Festival is here again!

And Charterhouse, organizers of this prestigious annual Event, which marks it’s 16^th Edition this year, is inviting for submission, qualified works from Musicians and Record labels that were released between January 1^st to December 31st 2014 for nominations for the event which will be held in April 2015.

Artistes and Artistes Managers are advised to download the nomination forms from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards website – www.ghanamusicawards.com or pick up the forms from Charterhouse office at North Industrial Area. All completed entries should be submitted to the offices of Charterhouse or call the following numbers for further information 050-128-2229.

The general public may also nominate their favorite artistes and songs by downloading nomination forms from the event website www.ghanamusicawards.com and submitting thereafter.

This will give artistes the opportunity for their musical works to be considerd for nomination for the 16^th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

Deadline for submission of entries is February 1^st ,2015. The 16th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards…Ignited by Passion.

The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is proudly sponsored by Vodafone and supported by Star Beer. In its 16^th year, it is is organised annually by Charterhouse Productions.

Established in year 2000, Charterhouse Ghana, is Ghana’s leading events management and production firm with branches in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, and Nigeria.

Contact Information:

Charterhouse Ghana

P O Box 3855, Cantonments.

0302 233505

www.charterhouseghana.com

Youtube, subscribe at  – www.youtube.com/GHMusicAwards

Like us on Fcebook –  www.facebook.com/GHMusicAwards

Follow us on instagram: @GHMusicAwards

2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards

On Saturday January 10 and Sunday January 11, 2015, actress turned producer, Zynnell Lydia Zuh organised a Celebrity Pop Corn Sale for her first produced movie “When Love Comes Around”.

The event which took place at Silverbird Cinemas both at Accra Mall and Weija gave her fans the opportunity to get close to their favourite movie personalities.

The celebrities took over the sale of the movie tickets, pop corn and drinks at the cinemas.

She was supported by the following personalities; Miss Malaika 2014 Eirene Binabiba, Paulina Oduro, Lydia Forson, Salma Mumin, Bismark Nii Odoi also known as Bismark The Joke, Helen Asante, Mimi Divalish, Umar Krupp, Harold Amenyah, Elikem Kumordzi, Victoria Lebene Mekpah (Next Movie Star) and many others came to show their support as well.

Synopsis 

“When Love Comes Around” tells the story of Love, played by Zynnell Lydia Zuh.

After an early heartbreak, Love grows up not believing in true love. Money and social status have become her criteria for the search for her dream man. But just when she finds her dream man, true love comes knocking.

With a strong Ghanaian and pan-African cast, When Love Comes Around is an excellent first time effort from Zynnell Zuh as a producer and a co-writer.

Nominations

The movie is already being tipped as one of the best movies of the year with seven Ghana Movie Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Script.

It also picked two nominations in the categories; Best Script and Best Overall film of 2014 for Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs).

It was directed by Afe Olumowe who penned hits like Chelsea and directed the critically acclaimed thriller The Voice.

It stars Jim Iyke, Zynnell Zuh, Mikki Osei Berko, Edward Kufuor, Eku Edewor, DJ Pierra Makena and a host of others.

Check out some photos from the event

Multiple award winning Hiplife group 4×4 made up of Sylvanus Dodji Jeoffrey (Captain Planet), Raphael Edem Avornyo (Coded) and Prince Tamakloe (Fresh Prince) have been officially unveiled as brand ambassadors for Dynamite Energy Drink.

The trio signed a 2-year deal and was unveiled on Tuesday, January 12, 2015 at a short ceremony at the office of Prestige Commodities Ghana Limited, distributors of Dynamite Energy Drink in Ghana located at Kpone off the Accra to Afloa Road.

The group is expected to use their influence and experience in the music industry to promote the newest energy drink in town, Dynamite.

The signing was witnessed by some officials of Prestige Commodities Ghana Limited, producer of the group and label owner, Jeff Agbodah of Don Jeff Records as well as some media personnel.

An excited Coded who spoke on behalf of the group thanked Prestige Commodities Ghana Limited for signing them on as the company’s first Brand Ambassadors in Ghana.

“On behalf of me and my team, we would like to say thanks to Prestige Commodities for having us as their first Brand Ambassadors in Ghana. We are really happy to be working with them”, he said.

“The deal is good. We are really happy; we have started the year so well with our record label, Don Jeff Records. We say the sky is the limit. We [are] definitely going to take this brand to the next level. And [after] two years, we are going to sign another two years with fatter money” he ended with a laughter.

Watch video and photos of the signing below captured by GhanaGist.Com

PRESTIGE COMMODITIES GHANA LIMITED

Prestige Commodities Ghana Limited is an importer and distributer of commodities such as Rice, Tomato Pastes, Energy Drinks, Pastas, Baby Foods, Soya Milks, Fruit Juices, Biscuits, Margarines, Detergents, Canned Fishes, Mayonnaise, Ketchups, Fresh Garlic, and Pop Corns on a wholesale basis.

Prominent among our products are 3 Dolphins, Caprice and Banchee Rice, TMT and Atlanta Tomato Paste, Pasta Hat Macaroni, Familia Margarine, Royce as well as Dynamite Energy Drink.

The company is a registered with the national registry commission and has been in existence for over a year and has been the supplier to most of the major shops at Kaneshie Market as well as Malla Atta, Madina, Ashiaman, Okiashi Markets and some major shops in the capital.

The company offers free delivery services to wholesale buyers of products to their various destinations.

The office and warehouse of the company is located at Kpone off the Accra to Afloa Road.

What makes Dynamite Energy Drink Different

• Dynamite Energy Drink is full of B Vitamins and Taurine keeping you nourished as well as alert.
• Dynamite Energy Drink is great if you are feeling under the weather, packed with essential B vitamins your body needs to replenish.
• An active ingredient of Dynamite Energy Drink is caffeine. Caffeine is good for you. In Japan research have shown that caffeine increases memory, detoxifies the liver, replenishes muscle glycogen, stimulates hair growth and eases depression. Al the reasons to drink up.
• Drink Dynamite Energy Drink to boost exercise and mental alertness.
• Dynamite Energy Drink is a carbonated fruit flavor, high octane energy containing Taurine , Caffeine, and B Group Vitamins.
• Dynamite Energy Drink tastes mild and refreshing compared to others on the market.
• Taurine is good for development of skeletal muscle, retina and central nervous system.
• Taurine supports neurological development and helps regulate the level of water and mineral salts in the blood.
• Caffeine in Dynamite Energy Drink is regulated to give the body its health benefit.
• Dynamite Energy Drink is imported from UK.

GN Bank, Syder Lee Entertainment and the Board of the People’s Choice Awards Ghana, have unveiled a remarkable prize packages for the eventual winners of the awards show, which is slated for 21st March 2015.

In the maiden edition of the awards, winners for each category will ultimately receive a prize package valued at over GH₵5,000.

A custom-designed trophy will be presented to each winner on the night of the awards show and a GN Bank Savings account will be opened in the winners’ name with an opening balance of GH₵ 3,500.

Winners will enjoy a luxury getaway which includes, one relaxing night with a guest – full room at the Coconut Grove Beach Resort in Elmina and they will be guests of honour at one or more exclusive winners’ receptions, during which they will be able to interact with each other, representatives from GN Bank and other sponsors, PCA board members, and other high-profile guests.

Each winner will have his/her name etched on a limited edition commemorative plaque that will be distributed to the winners themselves and stakeholders such as sponsors and media representatives and they also will receive two (2) VVIP tickets each to the 2016 awards show, during which they will be individually recognized.

Talks are far advanced between the PCA Board and GN Bank to  also ensure that members of the public who will emerge the most SMS –‘texters’ will receive prize packages for voting for winners of the awards.  The package will be announced at the Nomination Release Soiree.

The first phase of the People’s Choice Awards Ghana, which is the ‘Call To Enter’ campaign which required the public to nominate their choice of personalities for 14 different categories within the arts and entertainment industry; ended in December 31, 2014.

Organizers of the event and the Board are set to release the final nomination list in the coming days for the March 21 event to be held at the Accra International Conference Center.

The People’s Choice Awards Ghana is a scheme which seeks to award and celebrate individuals and organizations which have contributed as well as those that continue to excel in their various fields towards the development of the Ghanaian Arts and Entertainment industry.

Categories to be awarded in the annual cross-discipline event are People’s Choice Male Musician, People’s Choice Female Musician, People’s Choice Actor, People’s Choice Actress, People’s Choice Movie (Ghanaian language & English), People’s Choice Male Radio Presenter (Entertainment, Culture & Sports), People’s Choice Female Radio Presenter (Entertainment, Culture & Sports), People’s Choice Male TV Presenter (Entertainment, Culture & Sports), People’s Choice Female TV Presenter (Entertainment, Culture & Sports), People’s Choice Song (Ghanaian Song), People’s Choice Male Sports Personality, People’s Choice Female Sports Personality, People’s Choice Entertainment Journalist, People’s Choice Comedian, People’s Choice Child Star, People’s Choice Celebrity (Ultimate Prize), Lifetime Achievement Award (Individual) and Lifetime Achievement Award (Organization).

Hello and welcome to a Piece of Peace, your weekly dose of motivation and inspiration.  Today I would like to discuss an important principle for all the young entrepreneurs out there and that is “Financial
Management”.

Each day millions of young minds all over the world wake up with a dream to be more. For those lucky few who have the entrepreneurial drive and ambition to embark on that long, hard and lonely road to success, one of the most important things to learn is good financial management.

Financial Management can be defined as the management  of  the finances  of  a business/organization in order to achieve financial objectives.

Sound financial management is one of the best ways for your business to remain profitable and solvent. Each year thousands of potentially successful businesses fail not because of lack of funds but because of
poor financial management. As the business owner, you need to learn how to ensure that you will meet your financial obligations.

Taking a commercial business as the most common organizational structure, the key objectives of financial management would be to:

• Create wealth for the business;
• Generate cash; and
• Provide an adequate return on investment bearing in mind the risks that the business is taking and the resources invested.

Consider any business you start as a vehicle. Your finance is the fuel you need to move that vehicle forward. Without petrol your car cannot move and that is the same with your business. In order to learn about good financial management here are some practical tips that will help aspiring entrepreneurs to plan efficiently with their money and ensure your business always has the fuel it needs to succeed.

1. Separate your personal finances from your business finances
2. Open a Bank account in the name of your business.
3. Bank all (I mean 100%) your sales into your business bank account.
4. On the bank deposit slip specify the name of your client instead of
your name or staff name.
5. Where your business (e.g. a supermarket) has numerous clients and
numerous transactions, (4) above will not be possible.
6. Collect and review your bank statement monthly.
7. Keep a record of how your Petty cash is spent.
8. Open a second account (investment account) for the business
9. If it is an investment account, transfer a percent of your sales
(daily or per project) into that account.
10. When the money in that account is substantial, invest it.
11. Make all your payments with cheques, except where not possible.
12. Collect receipts for all payments made.
13. Attach your receipt behind your payment voucher and file.
14. Open a personal current account in your name.
15. Pay yourself a salary.
16. In order to manage cash flow, you can pay yourself fortnightly.
17. Make personal expenses from your personal account not business account.
18. Keep all receipts, invoices and financial documents even before
you start trading.
19. Where you don’t have enough cash you can pay yourself fortnightly.
20. Never use your ATM card on your Business account.
21. Issue an invoice for all sales made.
22. Issue a receipt for all monies (cash, cheque, and e-payment) received.
23. Have a planned financial outcome of what your business wants to
achieve for the year.
24. The planned outcome must be represented by your sales, marketing,
production and other expenses.
25. Break the planned outcome for the year into months.
26. At the end of every month, review your planned outcome with your
actual performance and make necessary improvements.
27. Set up a basic record keeping system for your business.

Follow these financial steps and you will ensure you are planning efficiently to give your business a fighting chance in a very competitive market. Until next week, never give in or give up and remember always, be yourself because everyone else is taken.

Much Love,
Peace Hyde.

Twitter: @peac_hy
Instagram: @peac_hy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peace-Hyde/448041131971101
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhjgbBYk9Es0msRJN9BitA

Peace Hyde

Actress Afia Schwarzenegger has a bone to pick with Ghana’s comic boxers; Bukom Banku and Ayittey Powers for insulting her in a video they released online.

For now, the two boxers are not on her radar, especially with ‘decent’ Big Brother Africa reality show stars; Kacey Moore and Alex Biney in the picture.

GhanaGist.Com captured this photo of Kacey Moore, Afia Schwarzenegger and Alex Biney at Silver Lounge, Accra Mall shortly after Mzbel, her partner-in-crime unveiled musicians to support her Red Concert show on February 7.

Kacey Moore, Afia Schwarzenegger and Alex Biney

By GhanaGist.Com

Embattled broadcaster Kwasi Kyei Darkwah has been granted bail on humanitarian grounds by the Human Rights court hearing his case.

The court granted his bail to the sum of GHC 20,000 with two sureties to be justified Thursday Morning.

The fashion icon has been in police custody since December 27,2014 for allegedly raping a 19-year-old girl.

Ewureffe Orleans Thompson filed a charge against KKD on the night of December 27, 2014 after the two had spent some time together with friends and family members at the African Regent Hotel within the Airport Residential Area.

Ms Thompson accused the fashion icon and 49-year-old father of two of forcefully having sexual intercourse with her in the bathroom of one of the hotel suites.

KKD and his lawyers denied the accusation and insisted the sexual intercourse was “consensual”.

Meanwhile, in a rather surprising twist of events on Tuesday, Ms Thompson wrote a two-paged-letter to the Attorney General stating her desire to discontinue the case against the fashion icon.

Source: StarrFMonline.com

Kwasi Kyei Darkwah – KKD the Finest

The government is due to introduce new tax on real estate this year

Proceeds from a newly introduced VAT on real estate should be reinvested in Ghana’s property sector, including to subsidize affordable housing, according to some stakeholders in the industry.

Finance Minister, Seth Tekper, announced the real estate tax in his 2015 budget statement. The tax is set to be pegged at five percent.The announcement was greeted with mixed reactions from stakeholders in the industry, with some stating that it could stunt market growth of the real estate sector while others believe the VAT rate is justifiable.

Real estate broker Isaac Boateng held some reservations about the new tax being imposed but stressed that reinvestment in the real estate sector could justify the decision. Mortgages, in his opinion, are critical to home access and there was a need for the government to subsidize this product.

“The real estate sector seems to be doing better than other sectors which is probably why the government has chosen to tax it. But it is also capital intensive and although it looks very profitable, there are a lot of costs involved, thus leaving little margins,” he explained.

Mr Boateng, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Isaac Anthony Homes, said the government should channel the accrued revenue into mortgage subsidy.

“They [the government] should look at ways of helping home buyers acquire properties, that is, subsidizing mortgage rates because they are too high. If they concentrate on subsidizing mortgages or assisting government workers through financial packages to acquire property, the sector could boom and justify the five percent [real estate VAT].”

Leading real estate developer Blue Rose Limited has also added its voice to the growing debate. According to Emmanuel Oppong Ayisi, a realtor at Blue Rose, disagrees with the new tax and suggests that levies imposed on imported materials should be reduced to cushion the effect on the real estate sector.

“I don’t think there should be a new tax imposed on us. However, the initial plan was to impose 17 percent, so 5 percent does make it justifiable in that regard. But once they [the government] have done that, we should see some improvement in the collaboration between government and real estate companies,” he said

Affordable housing in Ghana has been in the spotlight in recent years due to the housing deficit. Mr Ayisi said that the government should channel the proceeds from the new tax into subsidizing affordable housing to make it more accessible for the majority of Ghanaians.

“If these taxes can be geared towards putting up affordable housing for the ordinary Ghanaian, then it is laudable. Also, if they [the government] can come to the aid of some real estate developers who have acquired land but need basic infrastructure in place, then we would see the benefit [of the real estate tax],” he said.

Managing Director of property website Lamudi Ghana, Akua Nyame-Mensah, stressed that both the government and stakeholders in the real estate industry could benefit if the real estate tax proceeds were reinvested in the sector. The five percent tax could ultimately increase the price of homes, Ms Nyame-Mensah said.

“The issue of taxation is not an entirely bad idea if the government invests the proceeds correctly. The collected taxes could be used to start a fund that could be accessed by developers that are interested in constructing affordable housing or in areas where the government is not investing in infrastructure. The funds raised could also be used to assist companies that develop local materials for construction,” she said.

After the release of the nominees for 2015 Ghana DJ Awards, the short codes for voting has also been released

The Voting instructions are as follows; to vote for a DJ in Best International DJ of the Year categories, text prefix + DJ’s name to 1736.

BEST DJ OF THE YEAR

Text BDJ + Name Of DJ

BEST EVENT DJ OF THE YEAR

Text EDJ + Name Of DJ

BEST RECORD PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

Text BRP + Name Of DJ

BEST PUB DJ OF THE YEAR

Text PDJ + Name Of DJ

BEST VIDEO JOCKEY OF THE YEAR

Text BVJ + Name Of DJ

BEST MOBILE DJ OF THE YEAR

Text MDJ + Name Of DJ

DJ DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR

Text DJD + Name Of DJ

BEST HIGHLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR

Text HDJ + Name Of DJ

CLUB DJ OF THE YEAR

Text CDY + Name Of DJ

REGGAE/DANCEHALL DJ OF THE YEAR

Text DDJ + Name Of DJ

BEST ARTISTE DJ OF THE YEAR

Text ADJ + Name Of DJ

BEST MIXTAPE DJ OF YEAR

Text BMD + Name Of DJ

CAMPUS DJ OF THE YEAR

Text CDJ + Name Of DJ

BEST HIPLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR

Text BHD + Name Of DJ

BEST GOSPEL DJ OF THE YEAR

Text + Name Of DJ

BEST MALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

Text BMR + Name Of DJ

BEST INTERNATIONAL GHANAIAN DJ

Text IGD + Name Of DJ

BEST CLUB MC OF THE YEAR

Text CMC + Name Of DJ

BEST FEMALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

Text BFR + Name Of DJ

BEST FEMALE DJ OF THE YEAR

Text BFD + Name Of DJ

Twitter and online voting for Best International Ghanaian DJ and Best International Non Ghanaian DJ categories.

Procedure: To vote in the best International Non Ghanaian DJ category, tweet DJ’s name with hashtag #BESTINTERNATIONALDJ at @GHANADJAWARDS

To vote in the best International Ghanaian DJ category, tweet DJ’s name with hashtag #BESTINTERNATIONALGHDJ @GHANADJAWARDS

ONLINE VOTING: Fans can also vote via www.theghanadjawards.com for BEST INTERNATIONAL NON GHANAIAN DJ and BEST INTERNATIONAL GHANAIAN DJ categories.

Voting closes February 17

The 3rd Ghana DJ Awards 2015… Amplified

Lawyer for on-bail media celebrity, Kwasi Kyei Darkwa (KKD) has hinted that his legal team suspect he was set up in the case of rape brought against him.

Despite the refusal of Gary Nimako to name the people who they believe did so, he says the team of lawyers defending KKD are treading cautiously because of that belief.

KKD was granted bail Thursday by a Human Rights Court in Accra, on health grounds.

The 19-year old, Ewuraffe Thompson, has written a two-page letter to the court stating her unwillingness to continue with the case.

The letter was followed by a signed public apology from KKD calling for forgiveness. The letters have led several Lawyers to express their disappointment in the victim and complainant in the case, Ewuraffe.

The Lawyers including Maurice Ampaw, have argued that the Attorney-General has the right to subpoena the complainant and compel her to appear in court if it wishes to continue with the case, which is a criminal one.

Per Ghana’s laws, it is the A-G that initiates a criminal prosecution.

A conviction for rape can result in a prison sentence of up to 25 years. But Lawyer Garry Nimako is not amused by these suggestions.

Speaking on Accra-based Okay FM, he called on legal brains like Maurice Ampaw to also be careful about their stance on the issue. He insists what happened to KKD can happen to any of them.

Lawyer Nimako said he and the team of Lawyers for KKD would come out at the appropriate time on the issue.

“But for now, we are concentrating on the case but everyone should be careful because it can happen to anyone of us…,” he said.

Source: Adomonline

In October 2014, Airtel Ghana in collaboration with Trace TV launched the maiden edition of Airtel Trace Music Star, a music reality show to offer big opportunity and platform for thousands of Ghanaian youth who crave for a chance to hit the big stages.

Potential stars sent their entries into the competitions by calling 533 on their Airtel phones and singing from 15 second to 3 minute from October 7 to December 10, 2014.

Currently, the judges; radio broadcaster Kafui Dey, rapper Edem and singer Raquel are currently screening the entries, after which the best 5 would be selected to battle it out for the ultimate and represent Ghana in the Pan African Airtel Trace Music Star competition involving 13 other countries at the end of February.

In a series of interviews to come with the judges, GhanaGist.Com caught up first with Kafui Dey. In this interview, he spoke about his impression about the entries.

“Its show business, so the show part is your singing, the business part is your marketability. So you have to have songs that will appeal to the people who are listening. You have to have the right image, although you may be a good singer, people buy image. You have to appeal to the market. You have to manage your appearances well; scandals can put you in trouble, ask Kwaw Kese, he can tell you. That’s the business side of music. It’s like any other profession, if you don’t have any a good reputation, you may be talented but nobody will mind you”, Starr FM’s Kafui Dey tells GhanaGist.Com what one needs to be successful in the music career.

Enjoy!!!

Hello Mr Kafui Dey! For the start, are you done with the screening of the entries?

We are not done with the screening. I think there will be a couple of section more. At least one. I think we have one or two more section to end. So, we are not done yet.

So for now what can you say about the entries that you have screened so far!

Well, a lot of people have taken part in the competition. You have some people sending many entries because the competition is quite innovative; you don’t need to stand in front of any judges … maybe nerves will disturb you and you may be a good singer but because of a nerve, you may flap your line. But this one, you can actually start it … be sure of yourself and you just dial the number and just sing on your phone.

I guess that’s the appeal of the competition. Another thing for the judges is that because you can’t see the people who are singing, I think it also makes it a bit fair because sometimes you can see someone and you like the person’s appearance and then if he or she is not a good singer or a great singer, you will just to add the person because the person has got a great personality.

But then it can also make it difficult for us because we have to listen carefully to find out which one got a potential even though he or she may not sound that great. You will think that with some level of training the person can be better.

So far as you are concerned, how challenging has the screening been?

Yeah! It’s quite a lot of people who are taking part. Anytime we sit down; we listen to quite a number of music. Sometimes, when someone sends a multiple entries, you don’t want to judge the person based on one. You listen to the other songs and then take a decision. Sometimes, it’s hard to just take a decision because some of them are quite good. Of course, you will get some that are not great at all and you wonder how this person took part in the competition. Everybody thinks they are great performers but it’s up to the judges to make a decision.

From your side as a judge, what do you look out for when listening to the entries?

What I look out for when I’m listening is somebody who sings on key. I mean if you start a song in one key and you end it on different key, there may be a problem. If you are not intentionally changing the key as it happens to certain songs, if you can’t keep the hold, then there will be a problem. If you can’t hold your breath too well, if you are not clear in what you are saying, then you won’t go far because music is about communication. So you have to be clear.

You have to read your note well and sometimes you choose a good song. There are certain songs if you are not comfortable with or good, you can’t choose them. You may have a good voice but you will go and choose a wrong song and you kick yourself out.

I think that, some of the thing also is in choosing a song that you can sing very well because it’s a competition and you want to win. Just make sure you communicate well. The way you pronounce your words or how you even use your breath. Let’s us hear what you are saying.

Airtel Trace Music Star way of auditioning for talent for the show is completely different to what is done by other music reality show organizers where the wannabe singers face the judges and sing. Looks, they say is very important in Showbiz but you, Edem and Raquel are judging the wannabe music stars without seeing them and their looks. What’s your opinion on that?

For me, I think looks are overrated. Looks, fine but the way the Airtel Trace Music Star is being held, it’s actually give a level playing field to all, so you are judged solely on your voice.  After all, for the finals, they will actually perform, so it’s not going to be strictly just listening to them via the phone.

They will actually perform on the finals, so we will get to know the winner for Ghana on the night anyway. We are are hoping that at the time, we have narrowed it down to the really really best people who will now compete for the ultimate.

So, I’m surprised that, the telcos never thought of this competition. This is the way to structure this competition earlier because it makes use of technology. It also makes sense to them financially because you don’t have to go hire, pay money to a production houses to hire, feed the judges, pay the judges, transport people left and right, do all these backstage interviews, production for TV.

At the down side to it is that, you would not get all the excitement, repertoire that is associated with music TV reality show. If you have a tight budget, we can put all our energy into producing a good show at the end.

If I’m a good singer, what else do I need to do to be successful in the music business?

Its show business, so the show part is your singing, the business part is your marketability. So you have to have songs that will appeal to the people who are listening. You have to have the right image, although you may be a good singer, people buy image. You have to appeal to the market. You have to manage your appearances well; scandals can put you in trouble. Ask Kwaw Kese, he can tell you. That’s the business side of music. It’s like any other profession, if you don’t have any a good reputation, you may be talented but nobody will mind you.

Thank you Kafui Dey for your time.

Alright! Have a nice weekend. Bye-bye

Are you mad about football? Show your love with SuperSport and DStv/GOtv by sharing an image of yourself on our DStv Gh or GOtv Facebook page showing us how you are supporting your national team, the Black Stars, as they play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Be as creative as you can – wear the team colors, paint your face or whatever that will better your chances of winning. The winner will receive the opportunity to host an all expense paid viewing party for 20 friends at their home, when the Black Stars take on South Africa.

Terms &Conditions apply http://www.dstv.com/News/Ghana-show-your-love-for-the-Black-Stars/115095

Africa’s biggest soccer tournament is coming to GOtv. From the 17^th of January – 08 February, GOtv subscribers will be able to catch a selected number of games, including the kick off and the final matches during the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which will be showcased live on SuperSport Select 1, Channel 30 on GOtv.

On the 15^th of January 2015, MultiChoice Ghana and SuperSport launched the activation of the channel on lower bouquets as part of the #AfricaShowYourLove campaign for the competition.

The event was held at the Bedouin Lounge inside Lizzy Sports Complex. Present at the event were notable sports journalists and personalities to discuss the various groups and their chances of winning. Guiding the conversation around the championship with the compere Gary Al-Smith was Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, DStv General Manager  & GOtv Ghana Director, Felix Awogu General Manager, Strategy, Supersport in West Africa, Carl Tuffuor, ace sports journalist and analyst and Victor Ikpeba former Nigerian local and international footballer.

“Afcon is Africa’s biggest football event and we are delighted to offer it to our subscribers on our multiple channels and platforms,” said Cecil Sunkwa – MIlls. “The channel that has been dedicated to Afcon will bring our subscribers closer to the soccer action and convey the excitement of the Afcon taking place in Equatorial Guinea.”

The soccer action kicks off with the opening ceremony at 16:00 CAT.  The build-up for the kick-off game will begin at 16:30 CAT and will be headlined by Ghanaian-born former France international player, Marcel Desailly whose expert opinion is highly sought-after by broadcasters around the world given that he has won almost all the trophies there are to be won by an international player. His honours include the FIFA World Cup and Confederations Cup, the Euro Championship, the Uefa Champions League, the Super Cup and many domestic league and cup titles.

Other recognizable personalities to look forward to on SuperSport’s stellar panel of football analysts include former South African national team captain Neil Tovey, Ghanaian former Bayern Munich defender Samuel Kuffour and the straight-talking Benni McCarthy.

“The AFCON coverage forms part of GOtv’s commitment to provide our subscribers with world class soccer action that covers some of the biggest football events in the sporting calendar,” said [COUNTRY GM] “If you have already gone digital you are guaranteed an enhanced viewing experience. This is why we encourage football lovers to make SuperSport and GOtv their viewing destination of choice for the live 2015 AFCON action”.

To add to the Afcon excitement, Anne Sackey, the Marketing and Communications Manager for MultiChoice Ghana explained that under the official #AfricaShowYourLove campaign hashtag, football lovers across the continent are urged to show their love for the beautiful game by engaging with GOtv on our social media platforms namely Facebook and Twitter. She encouraged subscribers to show their support for their favorite teams by uploading pictures of themselves dressed up in their football fan regalia onto the GOtv Facebook page to win great prizes.

For the best in entertainment and sports programming, get GOtv today and join in the digital revolution.

How much did you make insulting Deborah Vanessa for posting her nude photos online? She made $8,000 from YouTube views!

Model and singer, Deborah Vanessa in an interview with Starr FM’s Kafui Dey, said posting her nude photos online was a “business decision” and not for fun

According to her, she has been paid $8,000 for her YouTube views last year when she posted a nude picture on her personal twitter page with the caption “tag a friend who will be happy to come home to me”.

“I thought that me ‘koraa’ my YouTube views were slowing down so I thought let’s get some views.”

“The photographer that took this picture said ‘ooo Debbie I’m putting this on my Instagram and we put other ones on his Instagram and there was no’, well I did have backlash for one with my palm on my vejayjay. And then some people who follow him picked it up and were Tweeting you know…positive tweet. Things like Oo I’m going to watch this and sleep tonight… So everything was positive, boys were excited”.

Versatile rapper Okyeame Kwame has celebrated 6th anniversary of his marriage to wife, Annica Nsiah-Apau in a grand style.

On his Facebook page, the rapper posted these words to celebrate his wife.

*Best Friends

I was afraid that a best friend would become a wife who would then become an enemy

I was afraid that innocent children and unrelated family members would be caught up in the middle of the fierce social media display of hatred and disgust for ourselves as ex-best friends.

*Sexy Trendy Body

I was afraid that a sexy trendy girlfriend would become a shapeless boring wife.

*Perfect in impections:*

I was afraid that the perfect imperfections of a girlfriend will become a terror stare every morning and during nights when I run out of excuses to stay late at work.

*Co-equal

I was afraid that a humble respectful girlfriend would become my co-equal and develop a sharp tongue which will slice my ego in public with Tweaaa

Losing Fame

I was afraid that the illusion of my artistic persona will diminish as I constantly exhibit my human errors and imperfections.

*Anadwo Ede

I was afraid that three times a day of excitement would reduce to once a night but with looooong hours of begging.
I was afraid I will loose you to religion and that our all nights will become your all night in the fellowship of spiritual mmaa kuo sisters whilst the winter in my bed drives into the summer of another woman’s bed.

But six years after facing the fear of marriage.

*Friendship*

Our friendship is stronger than best friends had ever experienced
The joy of raising our offsprings together blooms into a beautiful unit and this makes our families (extended) love each other even more than we love ourselves

*Sexy trendy body*

Your sexy trendy body though has increased in inches is still the number one reason why I am always in a hurry to be with you. This feeling is skin deep.

*Perfect in impections:*

Your imperfection is a constant reminder of my imperfections. Overcoming our personality differences increases my knowledge and consciousness of self and others. I love that side of you that I am yet to conquer.

*Co-equal*

I now understand that though I’m the head of this body. However, you are the neck that makes it turn. Though to your advantage most of the time you make the head turn in a positive direction so your tweaaa comes not in public.

*Losing Fame

You have sacrificed your personal dreams and my goals are your goals. You illuminate my strengths and dim my errors. My stars hide when yours shine.

*Anadwo Ede

Three times a day of excitement has reduced to once a night and long hours of begging but it is because we are chasing other very important dreams during the day

*Religion

We have found an important balance of sacred and secular. You know that increment in spirituality only makes physical beings more sensitive to other people’s needs.

HAPPY SIXTH ANNI – VERSARY. YOU COMPLETE ME, ANNICA NSIAH APAU. May our next Sixth anniversary have a zero after it.

Leti Arts Wins the ‘Best Established Developer’ Prize at the Global Final of the Vodafone appStar Competition in Bengaluru, India.

Leti Arts, an interactive media studio with offices in Ghana and Kenya,won the global final of the Vodafone appStar competition, at an event held in Bengaluru, India on January 15, 2015 and will be awarded an expense paid trip to Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona, Spain.

“appStar is the Annual Developer Contest conducted by Vodafone, for developers across several countries of African & Asian continent, to promote local talent & bring them to the international stage.”

Leti Arts won the Best Established Developer category in the global final with their Android mobile content distribution app, Africa’s Legends representing Ghana among the field of developers from five (5) countries, Kenya, India, Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa.

The Africa’s Legends app, is a mobile content distribution app for delivering content related to the Africa’s Legends superhero franchise, to consumers worldwide. TheAfrica’s Legends superhero franchise reimagines African folklore and historic legends, interspersed with fictional characters, as elite superheroes fighting crime in present day Africa.

“ As a mobile content distribution app, we know Africa’s Legends is innovative, and we are glad it has been recognized on a global platform by Vodafone. We will continue to push Africa’s Legends in 2015, through innovative digital formats, such as games, digital comics and interactive apps.”
 Eyram Tawia (CEO, Leti Arts)

Leti Arts CEO, Eyram Tawia, was joined at the competition by fellow Ghanaian developer, Abideen Adelu, (Vicinity App) in the Best Upcoming Developer category. Adelu is currently an Entrepreneur-in-Training (EIT) at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Accra where Leti Arts is housed at the MEST Incubator.

Content available in the Africa’s Legends app include digital comics and games, with additional content (videos, wallpapers, ringtones) scheduled for future release. TheAfrica’s Legends app and its sister app, Leti Center, are available as a FREE download from the Google Play Store and Windows Phone Store.

It’s somewhat inspiring to see a woman rubbing shoulders with her male counterparts in the predominantly male Engineering profession. What more, is when that Engineer, breaks the odds to take up make-up artistry not only as a hobby but an occupation on the sides.

That’s the story of Mrs. Evita Joseph Asare, a mechanical engineer who got into make-up some three years ago during her wedding preparations. “I did a very nice make-up of myself and went to the fitting already made-up. “The tailor asked me if I intentionally went to get made up. I said no- and she said to me, you can actually be an artist you know.”

Over the years Evita has got better at make-up just as she gets at Engineering and shares her thoughts on make-up in Ghana.

It all started in Paris

In 2008, “I had the opportunity to be in France, Paris, and I happened to be among a group of girls in Paris who were always talking about Make-up. Each morning, they would sit me down and do all sort of things to my face. I simply fell in love with make-up and shopped a lot of make-up, pencils, eyeliners and concealers. That was the first time I heard of concealers.”

Indeed Evita flaunted her newly acquired make-up skills upon her return to Ghana and was soon known by her friends as the “Concealer Lady”.

These incidents coupled with remarks of other people including her tailor, got Evita thinking about turning her new found love into an occupation. But she dreamt big about this occupation and knew that she wanted to go international right from the start. “And that called for starting right, which called for my having the right education and certification. If I wanted to go international then I needed to get certified as a professional make-up artiste.”

So whiles on her Maternity leave in 2010, Evita enrolled at the Hair Planet College of Cosmetology, where she took up courses in make-up. She coupled this with a lot of reading from world renowned make-up brands and magazine including the Bobby Brown Make-Up Manual.

Four years down, and the “Concealer Lady” is now a Mac Professional and Make-Up Forever Professional Member. “I want to be called one day to do international shoots, and I want to be recognized everywhere. All of which I believe depends on your certification.”

It wasn’t easy getting these down since she was down here in Africa, but she did owing to her determination to be part of the world’s ace make-up brands and professional bodies.

Views on Make-Up Artistry in Ghana

In her view make-up artistry in Ghana, though is improving still has some way to go. “The industry is very green, but I feel people are also just rushing into it. In the US, you cannot just have access to someone’s face. But there is no such licensing agency here in Ghana, so people seem to just be doing things without any structure or plan.”

According to her, the Ghanaian industry seems more concerned at the aesthetics of the process rather than the science behind it. In sum, “I think people are not learning and that’s our main problem. Having lots of pictures on facebook of make-up you’ve done doesn’t make you a makeup artiste.  You must have a professional backing and a certification to prove what you have. Take the course, practice, seek and share knowledge. There is science in make-up and that’s what we should be yearning to discover.”

Evita believes that this will allow artists in Ghana to get better at their jobs as they would understand the rudiments of the trade. “Understand the colour wheel, face shapes, skin tones and all that’s there to be learnt. This will enable you transform faces through make-up and not deform them instead.”

The bridge between Engineering and Make-Up artistry

So what does engineering and make-up have in common? Asked this question, Mrs. Joseph Asare responded “Engineering generally makes me a very analytical person. And for my make-up artistry, it causes me to visualize and analyze each project, before I do it. So I always go a step further by researching before I pick up my brush. Engineering requires you to have speed and accuracy, virtues which has made me better at make-up because they are required here too. Make-Up is Science, just as engineering.”

Evita has been working at Total Petroleum Ghana as a Maintenance Supervisor following her studies of Mechanical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2000.

Why Mechanical Engineering

“I had an Uncle at Mechanical Lloyd who always used jargons to explain things to people; I took an interest in it. “I had wanted to do Civil Engineering because I liked structures and was fascinated by them. But the course included drawing and I’m not a drawing expert so; I opted for Mechanical Engineering instead.”

Working as a Female Engineer

“In my Class we were 124 and that included 4 ladies. And currently in my office, there are just two of us. “Back in school it was very tough but we managed to finish. It’s quite challenging but in all I would say the profession is a bit favourable to me as a woman. Engineering makes me feel empowered as a woman. People think engineering is male dominated but am there and I have observed that as woman in that field, the little things I do make me shine. “I don’t regret studying engineering at all.”

The Future for Evita

With all these going for her, it’s just natural to wonder what the two faced artist has up her sleeves. I have plans of taking my engineering professional exams, so I can be called Engineer Mrs. Joseph Asare. I will quit engineering after 10 years and focus solely on make-up. I want to set up a world class make up school in Ghana.”

Evita surely minces no words when it comes to her dreams, a trait of her personality “bold, assertive and someone who speaks her mind no matter what.”

She currently owns an online shop the “EJ beauty store,” has two male children and is professionally managed by her husband.

By Martha Teiko Daitey

DOUBLE CROSS is a must watch Ghanaian romantic movie which won two beautiful gongs at the last Ghana Movie Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Make-Up & Hair Styling.

The lady behind the makeup and hair styling on the set of the whole project is no other than NANA AMA ATSU of Dzidzis brand.

She is the damsel who invariably brought out the beauty on the faces of the casts that shone in movie. She has worked with a bunch of top notch celebrities and still counting. Her passion in adding that sparkle to turn everything into beauty from the hair to the face has stood her out, even as it did on the night of one of Ghana’s biggest awards events.

With the premiere of this movie coming up in Ghana on the 6^th of February, 2015 at the Silverbirds Cinemas both at the Accra and Weija Mall as well as the West Hills Mall; we caught up with the pretty lady to first of congratulate her and also to find out more about her.

Enjoy…

Congratulations on your current feat as the Best Make-Up artiste & Hair Stylist. Tell us about yourself because most people don’t know you…they only hear your name

My name is Dzidzor Nana Ama Atsu-Agbomanyi. I’m a graduate from the University of Ghana -2009-2013. B.Sc. Administration (Marketing) but I have a keen interest in beauty therapy. I run a brand called DZIDZIS. This brand mainly deals in Spa, Beauty and Makeup Services. This brand currently runs a day spa which is Dzidzis Spa located at Sakumono. Aside that we offer mobile beauty services which includes Makeup and Hairstyling and it is with this service that we were honoured with an Award at the Ghana Movies Award.

How long have you been doing this?

Doing this came naturally and I feel it’s been long but professionally I will say I have been in the beauty industry for 5 years but the brand DZIDZIS was introduced 2 years ago.

Do you have pleasure and also get money in this choice of passion?

Oh yes! I derive a lot of pleasure in my choice of passion. Adding glamor to the faces of my clients and offering them haven of respite in my day spa brings me a lot of joy. The money comes naturally. I get paid for my work so I think this passion is truly worth giving my

What has the experience being like for you working with top notch celebrities in this line of your career?

It’s been a great experienced. I’ve been humbled to be allowed to offer my services to wonderful and supportive celebrities.

Let’s talk about the recent project you were involve in-DOUBLE CROSS, what was the experience like working on that set?

It was actually a fun and stress free experience. The director, producers, actors and actresses on board made my work fun and easy. They were supportive in every way. I must say that I will love to work with these people again and again.

Some people or celebrities tend to undermine your profession; did you encounter such on this set?

Not at all. They understood the importance of my job, so we had a great time on set. I had a special feeling of teamwork and togetherness was prominent during my work with DOUBLE CROSS.

You have seen the movie, what will you tell fans who haven’t seen it yet as they come out on the 6th of February to expect?

They should expect professionalism in all aspect. It’s not your everyday romantic story but it’s definitely something you are going to get hooked on. When we were on set, everything looked so outstanding and that alone gave me a clear perspective on how the outcome was going to be. I wasn’t too surprised at the finish work. Professionalism was at its play.

Any last word to clients out there in regards to what you do?

A big thank you to my clients for supporting me to this level. We promise to bring you the best services every times. We hold you high esteem because you deserve it.

Nana Ama Atsu

Despite not running for any elective position in the land, the incumbent president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, is surely delving into politics. She has been everywhere campaigning for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in the forthcoming elections.

In fact, Ibinabo is leaving no stone unturned in her bid to ensure that Mr. President remains in office beyond 2015. During the week, the actress took to her facebook page to explain why Nollywood practitioners have endorsed Jonathan’s re-election bid.

She accused Nigerians of being ‘unappreciative’ of Mr. President’s intervention in most sectors of the nation’s economy.

According to her, “Let me briefly explain why Nollywood and indeed the creative sector seem to have endorsed GEJ for second tenure.

He sets up a $200 million loan scheme residing with bank of Industry and Nexim bank, already accessible to numerous stakeholders, building big screens, DVD/CD replicating plants… Through Project Act initiative, 240 practitioners have benefited in skill enhancement trainings in the US, India, UK, South Africa and Nigeria respectively.

I am one of the beneficiaries. Also, he approved film production grant of an average of 7million naira to 120 film producers and directors…I am also a beneficiary of this project. In addition, he provided N2 billion through project Act for the development of Nigerian film distribution among others.

No president has demonstrated such huge love, respect and support for the creative sector.”

Source: Vanguard NGR

Nigeria’s President GoodLuck Jonathan