.. From 4 April young ones watching DStv Compact and Access can also join their favourite movie characters

Saturdays are made for fun, and Animania is just the ticket for kids with cabin fever! It’s a great block of kiddies’ animated movies that kicked off last week on M-Net Movies Smile (available to DStv customers). And here’s the best news: starting tomorrow (4 April), Animania  will also be available to DStv Compact and Access subscribers on the M-Net Movies All Stars and M-Net Movies Zone channels.

Mom and Dad, it’s indeed the break you’ve been wishing for! The collection of “fun-tertaining” films have been carefully curated to comprise amination hits that are also educational and motivate teamwork, problem-solving and social skills.

Animania will keep the kids occupied on Saturday afternoons throughout the national lockdown and beyond, into the month of May. On M-Net Movies Smile (DStv Channel 105 on DStv) the line-up kicks in just before 11:00 CAT, and for the delightful stories on M-Net Movies All Stars (DStv Channel 111) and M-Net Movies Zone (DStv Channel 139), the kids have to be ready shortly thereafter.

To find out what’s in store on the three channels,  and at what times the movies start, scroll through your Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) or have a look at the full channel schedules on DStv.com

• Topping the bill on M-Net Movies Smile are two instalments of the How to Train Your Dragon film series; the first two Kung Fu Panda movies; Home Alone; The Incredibles 2 and the original Hotel Transylvania.
• On M-Net Movies All Stars, Rugrats in Paris and The Spongebob Movie: Sponge out of Water, and a trio of flicks with Barbie in a starring role are among the crowd pleasers.
• Wreck-it-Ralph and Cars 2 on M-Net Movies Zone were selected with adventurous spirits in mind, while Shrek and the Bee Movie spin laugh-a-minute yarns with surprises at every turn.

This weekend’s line-up:

Saturday 04 April 2020

M-Net Movies Smile                     

10:55     Sammy’s  Adventures 2

12:35     How to Train Your Dragon

14:15     Home

15:52     Hotel Transylvania

17:25     Grand-Daddy Day Care  

M-Net Movies All Stars

12:00     Barbie As Rapunzel 

13:30     Barbie & Her Sisters in The Puppy Pursuit 

15:00     Wild Thornberrys Movie

16:32     Scooby Doo 2 – Monsters Unleashed

M-Net Movies Zone

11:25     Meet The Robinsons

13:00     Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs

14:23     Treasure Planet

Across the world, the Coronavirus has not only become another disaster to wipe us all out of the earth but has also put the spotlight on the level of competence of our political leaders.

In Africa, the case is not different as governments are putting in draconian measures to halt the spread just like their counterparts in Europe and Asia.

With the eminent role health ministers are playing in fighting this global pandemic, I delved into a special finding to uncover the female faces leading the battle and definitely deserve commendation for the works, they have put in so far albeit sorrowful to know that, their works are faced with several challenges because of the under-resourced facilities they manage and how they will be risking their lives in the battle against the virus.

Beyond their competence, they have proven to stand tall in the delivery of their duties as their role in this pandemic go beyond providing counsel to the presidents but an opportunity to manage the global crisis, as they provide all kinds of support to doctors, nurses, and other health workers in their countries while also collaborating with their counterparts to make sure patients receive treatment and citizens are well informed about the situation in their countries.

In my research on 51 African countries, Africa has only 13 female ministers in charge of health across the continent. Out of the 13, 9 are medical doctors and the others were appointed based on their political leadership track records.

The countries that deserve applaud for such laudable appointments of women are Angola, Burkina Faso Congo Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.

Prince Akpah, Managing Director of leading African PR & Rating Firm, Avance Media, presents the list of 12 Female Health Ministers in Africa leading countries to help fight the Covid-19 disease.

1. Amna Nurhusein, Minister of Health, Eritrea

She was appointed in 2009 as minister of health in Eritrea. She previously held positions such as Minister of Tourism and is a leading member of the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice in Eritrea.

2. Dr Fawziya Abikar, Minister of Health, Somalia

Dr Fawziya Abikar is the health minister of Somalia

3. Dr Hala Zayed, Minister of Health and Population, Egypt              

Dr. Zayed served as President of the 57357 Academy of Health Sciences, Chairwoman of the Supreme Committee for Combating Corruption at the Ministry of Health and Advisor to the Minister of Health and Population

She also held other positions including; Director General of the General Department of Hospitals in the Medical Therapy Sector of the Ministry, the Head of the Central Administration for Monitoring and Follow-up and the Head of the Department of Grants and Loans at the Ministry

Dr. Zayed holds a Master’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a doctorate and Master’s degree in Business Administration

Dr. Zayed supervised a series of national projects in the health sector, in which the World Bank, the World Health Organization and many international donors contributed

4. Dr. Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, Minister of Health and Population, Congo Republic      

Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo is Congo Republic’s Minister of Health and Population since May 6, 2016. She was previously Public Procurement and Regulatory Coordinator at the Department of Major Works

At the 69th World Health Assembly, held May 23–28 in Geneva, she presented the Congolese Health Program, entitled “The march towards development”, which sets itself as a primary goal to facilitate access to health for the population with inexpensive and quality care over the period 2016-2021. This goes through several achievements such as the establishment of universal health insurance, the construction of general hospitals in all departments, the strengthening of the management of certain diseases or the maintenance of free access to care for certain segments of the population

5. Dr. Léonie Claudine Sorgho/Lougue, Minister of Health, Burkina Faso

Dr. Léonie Claudine Sorgho / Lougue is a radiologist doctor, university Professor of radiology, medical imaging and radio diagnostics. She was Director of the Research and Training Unit in Health Science, Ouaga I Joseph KI-ZERBO University in Burkina Faso from 2015 to 2019 and member of the jury of the 18th and 19th Human Medicine, Pharmacy, Odontology, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production aggregation competitions at CAMES.

Dr Sorgho / Lougue teaches Radiology, Medical Imaging and Radiodiagnostics at Ouaga University I Professor Joseph Ki-Zerbo and supervises medical and specialization students. She is also Director of the UNESCO Chair “Gender, Women, Science, Society and Sustainable Development” of universities, institutes and research centers, Head of Radiology and Medical Imaging Department and Director in charge of University Hospital Planning and cooperation at the Center Hospitalier Universitaires Pédiatrique (CHUP) Charles De Gaulle.

Dr Sorgho / Lougue is also a member of several university and learned societies: evaluation group of the International Conference of Deans of Faculties of Medicine of French Expression (CIDMEF) and member of the board and the Board of Directors of said Conference, Conference African of the Deans of Faculties of Medicine of French Expression (CADMEF) of which she is the General Treasurer, Burkinabe Society of Radiology and Medical Imaging (SOBURAD) as a founding member and Treasurer

6. Dr. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin, Minister of Health, Ethiopia

Dr Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin is Ethiopia’s minister of health. She was previously the executive director of the Center for International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan. She previously served as project director for the Maternal and Child Survival Program at Jhpiego Ethiopia. Lia also led research in Reproductive Health, Public Health and OB-Gyn.

She earned her doctor of medicine and master of health care administration at Jimma University, and specialized in obstetrics and gynaecology at Addis Ababa University.

7. Lizzie NKOSI, Minister of Health, Eswatini

Senator Lizzie Nkosi is Eswantini’s health minister.

8. Maria Inácia Có Sanhá, Minister of Public Health, Family and Social Cohesion, Guinea Bissau

Maria Inácia Có Sanhá, is Guinea Bissau’s Minister of Public Health, Family and Social Cohesion. She graduated in Potuguse at the Escola Normal Superior Tchico Té in Bissau.

She was President of the Instituto de Mulher e Criança, Director General of Social Solidarity and Family, Head of the Department of Information and Professional Guidance, Employment Technician of the General Directorate of Labour, Employment and Professional Training (DGTEFP) – Ministry of Public Service and Labour.

She twice occupied the portfolio of the Secretary of Hospital Management in the current government before she was promoted to take up the role of Minister of Public Health, Family and Social Cohesion.

9. Dr. Nazira Abdula, Minister of Health, Mozambique

A paediatrician by profession, Nazira Abdula graduated from Maputo Central Hospital with complementary stages in the Hospital São João do Porto in Portugal. Abula earned a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietitian from the University of Flinders, Australia, in 2006. She worked as a general practitioner at Medical Mavalane General Hospital from 1993 to 1997 and was involved in the program to combat malaria in the Mavalane area. During the cholera epidemic of 1997, she led the cholera infirmary of Maputo Central Hospital. She has taught at the Catholic University of Mozambique, and in the Health Sciences Institute of Maputo and Beira. Having been Deputy Minister of Health from 2010 to 2014 in the previous administration, Abdula was appointed Minister of Health in January 2015.

10. Dr. Ruth Jane Aceng, Minister of Health, Uganda

Jane Ruth Aceng is a paediatrician and the Minister of Health in the Cabinet of Uganda.

She previously served as the Director General of Medical Services in the Ugandan Ministry of Health.

Her service began when she was a medical officer in the health ministry. Before her appointment as the Director General of Medical Services, she was serving as executive director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital.

Dr. Aceng has vast experience both as a manager and a practicing medical personnel, which she accumulated while serving in various capacities as: Medical Officer, Senior Medical Officer, Medical Officer Special Grade, Medical Superintendent, Consultant Paediatrician, Senior Consultant Paediatrician, Hospital Director, and the Director General of Health Services for the Ministry of Health, Uganda.

11. Dr Silvia Lutucuta, Minister of Health, Angola

Sílvia Paula Valentim Lutucuta, is a Physician, Cardiologist and University Professor, Head of the Postgraduate and Scientific Research Department at the Faculty of Medicine, with experience in Research – Molecular Biology and Genetics of Cardiovascular Diseases.

She entered the Faculty of Medicine Universidade Agostinho Neto-Huambo at just 16 years old, completed her degree in the 6 years established in 1990, as she was the youngest and best student, at just 21 years old, she was offered a scholarship. Immediate Postgraduate study and inspired by her maternal grandmother, a great nationalist Angolan woman who always defended the importance of advanced training in women, her emancipation and economic independence who suffered from severe Heart Disease, she specialized in Cardiology at Hospital Santa Maria in Lisbon – Portugal- Head of Service Celeste Vagueiro and integrating the team of Prof. Doctor Fausto Pinto.

She started his teaching career at just 19 years old, as a Monitor in the Department of Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine in Huambo in the Department of Morphology Chair of Histology.

With the growing need to reinforce the teaching staff of the FMUAN Department of Medicine, she was then transferred to Luanda during the internship and became a supervisor of this department and after completing her degree she moved to the Assistant category, an activity that was interrupted during her training abroad.

12. Ummy Ally Mwalimu, Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Seniors and Children, Tanzania

Ummy Ally Mwalimu is the Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Seniors and Children in the Cabinet of Tanzania since 2015. She is a two-term Member of Parliament, appointed to a seat reserved for women.

She completed her schooling from the Korogwe Girls Secondary School in 1993. In 1998, she received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Dar es Salaam. She received her Master of Laws degree from the University of Pretoria in 2001. Between 2000 and 2010, she worked in various governmental and NGO agencies in legal, research and governance roles

In President Jakaya Kikwete’s administration, she served in a succession of ministerial roles as Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children and Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

13. Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, Minister of Health, Liberia

Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah is Liberia’s minister of health but was previously the head of obstetrics and gynaecology at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, Liberia,

She helped provide medical services to young survivors of rape, many of whom require fistula repair surgery and has practised medicine in Liberia for a very long time.

Author, Prince Akpah

MultiChoice Ghana Ltd has partnered with the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to support the distribution of the Ghana Learning TV channel on both DStv and GOtv platforms from 14th April 2020 to allow Ghanaian learners access to GES approved educational content.

The introduction of this new learning channel on DStv and GOtv comes on the heels of the launch of Mindset Pop, launched by Multichoice across Africa, dedicated to Primary School learners with key focus on the Class 1-6 curriculum.

Ghana Learning TV is a 24-hour free-to-air channel launched by the Ministry of Education and the GES dedicated to broadcast of educational materials for senior high school (SHS) students, while content for the Junior High School (JHS) and basic school students will follow in due course. The Ghana Learning TV will also produce educational content for KG to Senior High School during this COVID-19 crisis as well as post crisis.

The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) has secured a distribution partnership with Multichoice Africa through the Ghana office to support the distribution of the 24-hour dedicated Ghana Learning Channel for the broadcast of educational materials signal free-to-air.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Ghana, Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, believes the introduction of the learning channel on DStv and GOtv platforms will afford all learners who are home to continue learning amidst the partial lockdown. He added “we continuously look for ways to support Ghanaians at all times by constantly offering them more choice, great value and content, and also using the power of entertainment and technology to enrich lives at all times”.

According to Mr. Sunkwa-Mills, “this is part of DStv and GOtv’s ongoing efforts to ensure learners of all ages have unfettered access to quality learning material during this period when schools across the country have been closed as a result of the rapidly spreading COVID-19.” We are glad to announce the Ghana Learning TV channel will immediately air in the clear on our GOtv platforms and thus accessible to all DTT decoders and Digital television sets in the territories of Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Takoradi, Sunyani, Tamale and Obuasi. That is, any digital TV or decoder will be able to watch this channel without having to pay for it, he explains.

Ghana Learning TV will be available to DStv customers on active Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus and Premium packages on channel 315. On GOtv, active and inactive customers on Lite, Value, Plus and Max can access Ghana Learning TV on channel 150 uninterrupted.

MultiChoice Ghana is commitment to delivering the best edutainment experience to customers by telling the best local and international stories, giving access to nail-biting sporting action and up-to-the-minute news, as well as leading international series, movies, documentaries and children’s edutainment.

High School students are encouraged to tune in to DStv channel 315 and GOtv channel 150 daily to join the e-learning class.

“Show me the money!”

Yes, the famous line from Oscar award-winning movie Jerry Maguire is coming to SuperSport’s screens this week, as the sports broadcaster brings you an epic line-up of the greatest sports movies of all time, starting this Friday and running every evening at 20:30 CAT on SuperSport 1.

The new films slot allows SuperSport viewers to get their daily fix of drama, action and intrigue from the sporting – albeit fictional – world. Until our real-life heroes return to the pitches, tracks and circuits, these icons of the silver screen will keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat.

Following  Jerry Maguire will be the Formula 1 classic, Senna (Saturday), which investigates the genius of arguably the greatest motor racing driver of all time; American Football epic Any Given Sunday (Sunday); the Sylvester Stallone boxing legacy of Rocky 1-5 (next Monday to Friday); and a movie close to South African hearts, Invictus (next Saturday), the story of how Francois Pienaar and President Nelson Mandela inspired a nation to heal old wounds and drive the Springboks to 1995 Rugby World Cup glory.

“We’ve negotiated with all the major studios to bring viewers this incredible line-up,” said Gideon Khobane, Chief Executive of SuperSport. “There really is something here for everyone, many of them classics with lines and scenes that resonate as strongly as ever.”

The titles range across a multitude of sports, from rugby to boxing, from baseball to soccer and cycling and more. There are serious movies, such underdog boxing tales from Cinderella Man and Million Dollar Baby, the wacky slapstick of Adam Sandler cult classics The Waterboy and Happy Gilmore, Oscar winners The Colour of Money and Jerry Maguire, to outright tear-jerkers (Rudy, Rocky) which will leave even the most stoic of sports fans with a lump in their throat.

Don’t miss the best sports entertainment on DStv. Visit www.dstv.com  to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream the action on DStv Now.

Don’t get stuck in lockdown limbo!

Exercise is one of the greatest antidotes for stress, and DStv and Virgin Active have partnered to bring viewers workouts designed by the very best instructors and fitness experts from around the world.

You  may not be able to get to the gym to train but the gym is coming right to you through DStv, giving you easy-to-follow workouts ranging from high intensity, that will make you sweat, to more mindful, restorative practise to feed your soul.

Starting on Thursday (April 16), the workouts will be broadcast daily on SuperSport Blitz CH 200, at 8am and 5pm.

Each workout is designed to cater to any level of fitness, with the progression or regression of each movement demonstrated so that participants can work out according to their ability and fitness level.

Don’t miss the best sporting entertainment on DStv. Visit www.dstv.com  to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream the action on DStv Now.

It’s 5am and I stir. My stomach feels cramped. I have slept no more than four hours. My mind races. The problems cascade through. I hear the birds and do my meditation. My wife Angie and I are in the middle of an Easter study on the Book of Daniel, and I can’t help but think of the writing on the wall: “mene mene tekel upharsin.”

Have we been weighed and found wanting? But I am optimistic there will be a few who will stand up and become modern-day martyrs, not only to defeat this pandemic but to create a new era.

On our minds is the question of surgical and N95 masks for healthcare professionals. I make two calls to China to speak to our ambassador about ventilators, and another to Israel to a fellow from the Aspen Global Leadership Network about face masks, gloves and other forms of protection, and discuss a charter of a plane to bring these items to Ghana.

Then a follow-up call to Vera Songwe, head of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and Tito Mboweni, South Africa’s finance minister, to formulate our strategy for debt relief and commiserate on the downgrading of South Africa’s sovereign rating. Are the rating agencies beginning to tip our world into the first circle of Dante’s Inferno?

It’s time to go to work and I grab my made-in-Ghana face mask. First, though, we call Dad and Auntie Ellen. They are in their eighties and we can’t visit them. I drive into Accra, which is in lockdown — a strange and eerie feeling of apocalypse. Where are the schoolchildren, the women frying doughnuts, the newspaper sellers, the beggars? Where are our youth selling everything from dog chains to gum?

The street supermarket is gone, replaced by police and military officers ensuring people stay at home. Our economy is over 90 per cent informal, and the informal market is in lockdown. Growth in GDP, which was projected at 6.8 per cent, could fall to 1.5 per cent, according to our projections. How long can we sustain this?

I arrive at the office, park my car, wash my hands under running water in front of the ministry. My temperature is checked: 35.6C. It must be a good day. I am given hand sanitiser and go upstairs to my office. We are focusing on three priorities: presenting to parliament on the alleviation programme; a post-Covid-19 strategy for a more resilient economy; and a co-ordinated African effort to get support for international debt relief.

I look at the schedule for the day with Michael, my special assistant, and it is almost surreal. We had had such a great start to the year with a landmark $3bn eurobond issue (whew! A lifesaver, as the markets are now closed).

In the past three years, we had successfully completed an IMF programme, brought inflation down and acted to ensure fiscal discipline. Then the Covid-19 pandemic struck, potentially wiping out 10-15 per cent of our GDP.

The president was swift and decisive: requesting a $100m preparedness plan, ordering the borders closed, quarantining all airline passengers for at least 14 days and ordering mandatory testing. We also introduced social distancing, and closed schools, churches, mosques and places of entertainment. The race was on for contact tracing, testing and treatment.

Economic activity has been massively disrupted; hotels are closing, industry is tottering, airlines are grounded, and our toast-of-the-region airport lies asleep.

The Bank of Ghana cut rates by 150 basis points and reduced the reserve requirements by 2 per cent, enabling banks to increase their lending to the private sector by some $500m — a good effort, but an underwhelming response to what should be done. I need answers.

A U-shaped recovery is touted, but ours will likely be a steep drop, then a two- to three-year downward slide before a recovery; a trapezoid-shaped recovery!

Back to completing our schedule for the day. [Bank of Ghana] governor [Ernest] Addison and I finish Ghana’s application for the IMF’s rapid credit facility.

However, Ghana and Africa desperately need fresh capital. We will work with the World Bank for a renewed approach. (I wonder what past bank heads such as [Robert] McNamara and [James] Wolfensohn would have been thinking at this time.)

We are interrupted by a call. One of our major partners in the energy sector from Europe has triggered a letter of credit facility for $200m. I am outraged at such callousness.

I am reminded of the parable in Matthew where a man’s debt is forgiven, but he then finds the fellow servant who owes him and has him thrown in jail. I am now even more convinced that the African finance ministers’ proposal for a debt standstill and issuance and/or mobilisation of special drawing rights should be extended for two years and not be limited to low-income countries only.

So, what is the world coming to? Extraordinary times, sobering times. Ghana, at the last count, had 636 cases and eight deaths. Analysis by the University of Ghana’s Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research indicates that about four-fifths of the first 300 cases were direct imports; the virus’s genetic sequencing shows its origins are from Wuhan through Norway, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Hungary and India.

What does an African finance minister do now? How can we restore 10-15 per cent of GDP over a two- to three-year period? This is not a passing blizzard, as a friend said; more like a long winter, even a mini ice age.

But there are some structural elements that need fixing; our health sector, digitalisation of the continent to formalise our economies; and Africa’s debt — the most controversial element and the topic of much discussion. Africa’s external debt stock is more than $700bn. Africa needs to pay $44bn to service our debt this year.

There is a lump in my throat as I think of Africa’s predicament. I question the unbalanced nature of the global architecture

The world is changing. The German chancellor doesn’t want to hear about debt-to-GDP ratios. Unthinkable stimulus packages are being announced, trumping orthodoxies and with no talk of a moral hazard: the G20 packages may end up close to $8tn. Their generous tool kits are not available to us.

I am green with envy. To be honest, there is a lump in my throat as I think of Africa’s predicament. I question the unbalanced nature of the global architecture.

I have, in one fell swoop, lost more than $1bn of revenue as domestic taxes continue to shrink, compounded by lost productivity and job losses. We still have an obligation to service our debt portfolio.

These are grave times, surpassing the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918. Where is the leadership and global task force that would mirror the 1944 Bretton Woods monetary conference?

This unprecedented crisis has brought capitalism “to a juddering halt”, as Arundhati Roy wrote in FT Weekend. I think of Ben Okri’s poem [with the line] “Will you be at the harvest?” where he inspires us to remake the world for a new era through our human genius, so our future becomes greater than our past.

It is 1am. We have had a long day. We had to launch a sanitation campaign; we had video and teleconferences with [former UK prime minister] Gordon Brown, African finance ministers, the World Bank’s David Malpass and Kristalina Georgieva of the IMF, the Center for Global Development and the faith-based organisations — our partners in distributing food.

I have also been tested for COVID-19 and am anxiously awaiting the results. I am sleepy. I murmur through Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd . . .” .

Get the Facts. Mobilize Resources. Support African Leaders. Join Us.

On Wednesday April 29, 2020, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation, and the Access Challenge are launching a campaign called One by One: Target COVID-19. The campaign will support efforts by the African Union and its COVID-19 Fund by advocating for increased financing for Africa CDC to raise its capacity for securing essential diagnostics and medical supplies needed for COVID-19 response in Africa.

One by One: Target COVID-19 will collaborate with media houses, celebrity influencers and other stakeholders to disseminate key messages about COVID-19 to different population groups in Africa, aiming to reach every household across the continent.

This Campaign will galvanize action against COVID-19 by drawing attention to the need for widespread testing and social prevention measures across the continent, in support of the Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT): Trace, Test and Track and the Africa Joint Continental Strategy for COVID-19 of the African Union.

“There are four things we must do: scale up testing and isolate infected individuals, protect our healthcare workers, focus on communities to ensure that the community response is strong, and ensure a constant supply chain component. There is a big gap in testing on the continent and PACT is to support countries and increase their ability to test and trace for COVID-19. We see this as a movement and we call on the media, the community, the private sector, and everyone to partner with us,” said Dr John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC

“COVID-19 may soon hit Africa with full force. If this happens, we can expect widespread calamity on a scale that dwarfs even the worst of experiences in China, America or Italy. Most national health systems lack sophisticated respiratory machines and intensive care units to care for severe COVID cases. It is therefore imperative for us to get ahead of this virus on the continent. Collectively, we must engage the public, build trust between governments and their constituents, and mobilize financial resources to ensure that essential medical equipment is available,” said Kate Campana, CEO of The Access Challenge.

The campaign will engage popular celebrity artists, athletes, and cultural and business leaders as informed mouthpieces for disseminating accurate public health information; help pan-African leaders to amplify their messages on COVID-19; and engage donors and the private sector to invest in system-wide capacity strengthening in Africa through the African Union COVID-19 response mechanism.

“As COVID-19 continues to spread, it is important to understand the impact it will have on a system that is already burdened by other health challenges across the continent,” said campaign co-founder, H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. “We have made great progress in the recent past on advancing Universal Health Coverage. There has never been a more critical time than now for countries to take bold and decisive actions to support UHC – not only to protect citizens from COVID-19, but from all other health challenges. We cannot protect people from deadly pandemics, over-burdening NCDs, advance gender equality, or achieve any of the other 2030 Sustainable Development Goals without accelerating progress towards universal health coverage.

For more information, visit the One by One: Target COVID-19 campaign page at www.targetcovid19-africa.org.

On the evening of Sunday 26th April, a silent procession took place at Black Star Square in Ghana as a sign of solidarity with the Africans who have been marginalized and abused in China during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The action was initiated by the Freedom Movement, as a peaceful demonstration to raise awareness for the mis-treatment of black people in China and urge for a public apology to all Africans and Black people worldwide.

“As a concerned global citizen, I was deeply disturbed by the treatment I saw of black people in China being evicted from their homes, forced into quarantine and even being denied admittance to restaurants, hotels and other businesses. I was also surprised that even despite the close relationship between China and most African countries, there hasn’t been any public denouncement or apology from the authorities. I felt the need to use my voice to let the world know that Covid-19 simply cannot be used as an excuse to dehumanize or deny the civil rights of black people in China or any other nation,” says Freedom Jacob Caesar, an industrialist, developer and a nation-builder.

During the procession, signs reading captions such as “Africa is a Beacon of Hope” and “Africa is separated by culture but united by colours” were held up by participants who maintained social distancing measures and wore face masks inscribed with the words ‘Freedom of Speech”. Police and other security personnel were also on hand to ensure that the demonstration remained peaceful.

“Although, African diplomats in China have expressed concerns to officials there, this mal-treatment is an issue for every black person in the world. Any one of us from the continent or the diaspora whether it be Jamaica, America, France, or Nigeria living in or travelling to China might suffer these same abuses. If we simply remain silent, this treatment and disrespect will continue and even become more widespread in China and other countries. Black people are not animals as we have been depicted in museums and galleries in China and these actions are unacceptable considering the eminent value that Africa and our resources play in global economies and supply chains,” adds Freedom who recently distributed food and other supplies to vulnerable communities and the less privileged in Accra amidst the lockdown that was issued as an effort to contain the spread of the Corona Virus.

“Ghana has gained a reputation as a model of democracy in Africa and Freedom of Speech is a fundamental principle that is supported in our democracy. It is important for young Africans and young black people globally to understand the power of our collective voices to effect peaceful change. I will continue to use my voice and platform to change perceptions of Africa, build unity and forge deeper connections between Africa, the West and the East,” said Freedom who operates an international real estate development company in Ghana and other countries and has hosted personalities at his hospitality ventures including Naomi Campbell, Idris Elba, Conan O’Brien, and Chinese billionaire entrepreneur Jack Ma.

“I believe that this virus does not know gender, race, religion, age, or colour and this could be a sign telling the world that we are all equal and need to come together as One World and One Universal people to overcome the crisis and restore humanity together.”

The Freedom Movement’s procession is one of the first public demonstrations on the continent that has been held to bring awareness to the issue of the treatment of blacks in China and urge for a public apology from the country’s authorities on behalf of African and Black people worldwide.

The working relationship between Caroline Sampson and Y107.9FM has come to an end, the award-winning radio personality announced, Friday.

Caroline who had been with the subsidiary of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company for close to a decade confirmed to GhanaWeb her appointment was terminated by the employers with immediate effect.

The decision for the termination, she said, is not as a result of non-performance on her part. According to her, the company is faced with financial difficulties as the ripple effect of coronavirus deepens.

“I understand it perfectly,” she said, indicating she holds no grudges against her former bosses for axing her from the company.

Speaking on her next move, the celebrated on-air personality disclosed that she had been receiving offers even before news of her contract termination was served her. She mentioned that she will look before she leaps in order not to land in an organization which is not financially stable as news of salary delays in some institutions are rife.

“I have businesses on the side. I’m okay. It’s not that bad. I’ll still survive because I have other things I’m into,” she said, stressing that her love and passion for radio is fervently active.

Caroline’s comes barely two days after Multimedia Group Limited, operators of Joy FM terminated the appointment of Naa Ashorkor who joined the company in 2017. Although Naa Ashorkor did not give details of the development, there are claims she was not the only casualty.

Speculations are rife Naa Ashorkor is one of the many who were laid off by the employer because the company is struggling to fulfil its financial obligations to employees.

Meanwhile GhanaWeb has gathered that almost all the big names at Y109.7FM have been laid off for same reason. Our sources say there has been a significant dip in revenue from advertising as companies that do business with the radio station are badly affected by the pandemic.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

At an unprecedented time in our era when livelihoods are being threatened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Salt Media Ghana Limited, through it’s National and Global reach , Salt 95.5 Fm and Salt Digital, has launched a fund that will highlight the role of Women in peace, stability, unity and the wellbeing of our communities.

To jumpstart it’s first year, Salt Media, with special focus on Agogo and neighbouring townships such as Konongo, Kumawu and Afram Plains will launch a Mother’s Day On Air Marathon. Driven by Salt FM’s multitalented On Air Personalities, the marathon will rely on Religious Leaders and Community Elders to encourage citizens to form closer bonds with their mothers and mother figures.

The second part of the campaign will focus on a give away celebration to selected beneficiaries on Mother’s Day , Sunday 10th May 2020. Leading up to this giveaway, the beneficiaries would have gone through a qualification process by joining the Salt FM On Air campaign on Friday May 8 and Saturday May 9 which allowed Women 60 years old and above, who have either lost their child (children) or who have faced the harsh reality of never having children by birth.

‘I believe Women are the bedrock of our communities. Mothers and Mother figures have always jumped in to mitigate any potential threat a child may face. Mothers provide a very unique guidance and I believe we become better citizens when we acknowledge the powerful role our Mothers play in making us respectable citizens.’ Says Salt FM Founder and CEO, Charles Ohene Kwame Frimpong.
With the imminent formal launch of it’s operations, Salt FM has already mandated its major shows, Salt Morning Show, Salt Mid-Morning Show and the Salt Drive, to dedicate at least 35% of it’s running time to community building and development.

The Salt FM Mother’s Day Campaign is phase one of the Women’s Fund and will climax with a gift distribution to the qualified Mothers on Sunday May 10, 2020. Salt Media GH has fully exhibited it’s 100% commitment to helping Ghana achieve high scores in it’s pursuit for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through various projects which will be announced shortly.

‘I want to use this opportunity to sound to our community leaders that as we all do our best to brace this very difficult season, let us not forget the most vulnerable. I am fully dedicated to preparing a post COVID survival plan for our Women in the various communities and will ensure that we do not leave our Women and Girls behind’. Says Salt FM Founder and CEO, Charles Ohene Kwame Frimpong.

The African continent is filled with colourful cultures. In celebration of Africa Month, we will be bringing you a key contributor that has helped shape and mould the African culture into what it is today – music. So tune in throughout May for the best music videos our continent has to offer.

Playlist

If you’re passionate about Ghanaian music, celebrity news, lifestyle, entertainment, culture and more, then Trace Jama on DStv is the place to be. Playlist, on Wednesdays at 19:45 CAT on Trace Jama, DStv Channel 333 or GOtv Channel 160, brings you the top-streamed songs every week, straight to your TV.

Mziki Hot 10

Turn it up with the hottest music videos from East-African artists. Genre’s include Afro-pop, Afro-beat, hip-hop, R&B, Ragga, Dancehall, Bongo Flava, Afro-fusion, Afro-trap, to name a few. On Mondays at 16:15 CAT we will count down the top 10 chart-topping music videos only on Trace Mziki, DStv Channel 323 or GOtv Channel 74

Official Naija Top 10

Just because we’re in lockdown, doesn’t mean we have to stop the party! MTV Base brings 48.5 million Africans the continent’s chart-topping music videos, 24/7, and during the lockdown, MTV Base will be bringing you some great unique music with #MTVbaseDJTakeoverLive every Saturday from 22:00 – 00:00 CAT. Tune in to MTV Base Africa on DStv channel 322 or GOtv on Channel 72.

New

TRACE Naija is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest Nigerian and Ghanaian music, with the best of Afro-pop, Afro-beat, hip-hop, R&B, Ragga and Dancehall. On Mondays at 17:00 CAT tune in to Trace Naija on DStv Channel 325 for brand new videos, featuring the freshest artists in the music scene.

Afro Music Pop

Bringing to life an African flavour of urban and electric dance music, Afro Music Pop brings together South African, Nigerian rhythms with R&B, Hip Hop and pop music. And you can listen to it 24/7 on Afro Music Pop, DStv Channel 326 or GOtv Channel 76.

#LockdownHouseParty

Clubbing and partying may be prohibited in the current climate, but the doors are always open at to the Channel 0 #LockdownHouseParty. Turn up from the comfort of your home, every Friday at 18:00 on Channel O, DStv channel 320.

Whatever your flavour, you will find the music to make you move, this Africa Month. So, tune in and celebrate the colourful and gifted we are all part of

This May, DStv and GOtv are bringing you exciting new episodes of all your favourite shows as well as some brand-new ones! With a ton of kid-focused content already available, you’re sure to be entertained all day, every day!

From Monday, 18 May at 17:00 CAT, join Gabo as he discovers more of his family’s secrets while leading his football team to victory in brand new episodes of Disney 11 on Disney© XD (DStv Channel 304).

The Sensational Six are back with even more Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures from 25 May, weekdays at 16:30 CAT. Join Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto as they race around their town of Hot Dog Hills – and the world – transforming cars in a mixed-up motor lab! You can catch them on Disney© Junior (DStv Channel 309/GOtv Channel 60).

It’s a full house with eleven-year-old Lincoln Loud and his ten sisters in The Loud House Stunt: Team Lincoln on Nickelodeon (DStv Channel 305/GOtv Channel 62). Luckily, his right-hand man, Clyde is there to help him navigate through the craziness from 25 May, weekdays at 16:40 CAT.

Zoom through the universe with the colourful PinCode crew and their Umflier – a craft that can travel through time, space, volume, and dimension – in search of scientific knowledge. Discover a fun and exciting world of science on Da Vinci Learning (DStv Channel 318/GOtv Channel 66) from 16 May, every Saturday at 15:00 CAT.

Discover the big city with Apple & Onion as they settle into their new home and try to fit into their new surrounds, weekends on Cartoon Network (DStv Channel 301/GOtv Channel 67) from 30 May.

You can enjoy all your favourite shows on the go with the DStv Now app at no extra cost – which means that you never need to miss an episode.

In need of catching up on some account admin? Updating details, making payments, and clearing error codes are a breeze with the MyGOtv and MyDStv apps – available on Google Play and the App Store.

Following the success of the fourth season of the biggest and most viewed event on African television, Big Brother Naija, MultiChoice has announced that the fifth season of the show will premiere in July 2020.

For its fifth season, the BBNaija show will run an online audition process started Wednesday, May 20 till Saturday, May 30. Potential contestants are expected to record a two-minute video of themselves stating why they should be picked to be a Housemate in season 5 of Big Brother Naija. Following this, they are to log on to www.africamagic.tv/BBAudition to fill out the online registration form and upload their videos. The online audition is free and open to Interested male and female participants who are of Nigerian nationality with a valid Nigerian passport and must be 21 years of age by June 1, 2020.

Speaking on the return of BBNaija, the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe said, “Big Brother Naija has been widely regarded as one of Africa’s biggest entertainment exports, being the biggest showcase of Nigeria’s diversity outside of core Nollywood. This fifth season promises to be more adventurous, exciting and entertaining, and will undoubtedly be the biggest thing on African television in 2020.”

With the Big Brother Naija reality show, MultiChoice Nigeria is committed to providing premium content and entertainment on its DStv and GOtv platforms. As the new edition draws near, fans and viewers can get ready for the excitement and entertainment this season will bring as they enjoy weeks of unending drama, intrigue, romance, Friday night games, the famous Saturday night parties and an overall battle of wits as the Housemates vie for the ultimate prize.

Mr Ugbe added: “The timing of the show is also particularly important, given the dominance of the COVID-19 pandemic; auditions for the fifth edition will now hold online and viewers and stakeholders alike can rest assured knowing that global best practices, precautions and preventive measures will be followed throughout the show, even as we guarantee the premium entertainment BBNaija is renowned for.”

The Big Brother Naija reality TV show continues to produce some of the country’s biggest TV personalities and pop culture influencers since its maiden edition in 2006. Some of these personalities include Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Gideon Okeke and more recently, Mercy Eke, Mike Edwards, Miracle Ikechukwu, Tobi Bakre, Cynthia “Cee-C” Nwadiora Bamike “BamBam” Olawunmi, Tunde “Teddy A” Adenibuyan, Efe Ejeba, Bisola Aiyeola and Tokunbo “Tboss” Idowu.

For more information on the fifth season of BBNaija, please visit www.africamagic.dstv.com/BigBrotherNaija You can also follow the Big Brother Naija social media fan pages for news and updates with #BBNaija on Twitter @bbnaija, Instagram @bigbronaija and Facebook www.facebook.com/bigbrothernaija

This Africa Month, DStv and GOtv are excited to announce the launch of The Africa We See campaign, a heart-warming celebration of the excellence and power of Africa, its people and the rich stories that come from the continent.

Now more than ever, Africans are shaping and owning their own narrative through stories and music and this Africa Month, DStv and GOtv are proud to serve as vehicles that share these stories far and wide.

“Although the current climate demands everyone to physically isolate it has, in so many ways, called people to come together and unite in celebrating what matters the most: resilience, sense of community, creativity and so much more. Attributes that perfectly illustrate the very essence of who we are as Africans” says MultiChoice Ghana Managing Director, Cecil Sunkwa Mills, “It is in light of this, that we celebrate the distinctively African talent and entertainment offered on our channels which reflect the stories and lives of our treasured viewers across the continent”

Diverse Channels That Speak to all Africans.

With a myriad of stories to be told, diverse audiences to reach and an abundance of talent across the continent, DStv and GOtv are platforms that bring about impactful and inspiring local content across several channels and cater to all corners of the continent.

The wide-ranging channels provide a variety of content and genres, ranging from telenovelas, reality, drama, comedy, lifestyle, music and movies.  DStv and GOtv are home to Mzansi Magic and  Zambezi Magic which provide enthralling locally-produced content for markets in Southern Africa, Maisha Bongo the leading content creator for Tanzanian viewers, Pearl Magic, the flagship channel for the Uganda Market and Maisha Magic East, an entertainment channel that offers the best in Kenyan shows. Also, home to Nollywood is Africa Magic that never fails to provide viewers with a variety of popular Nigerian series and movies and has become a staple in homes across the continent.

Home Brewed Talent

With the purpose of promoting local content produced by Africans for Africans, DStv and GOtv have continued to play an important role in giving local talent a platform to tell African stories and to act as a reflection of African communities and their families, instilling pride not just locally but globally. The television promo which launches this new campaign features famous faces from across the continent, familiar to DStv and GOtv audiences, such as the cast of Tinsel, one of the most popular telenovela’s in Africa,  Chimange Chinalula of Zambezi Magic comedy Shi Mumbi  and Jason Goliath from South Africa who can often be seen on Comedy Central, only to name a few. These stars, who have put African narratives on the map, openly express their hopes and dreams for the continent.

Honouring The Africa We See

Through The Africa We See campaign, DStv and GOtv aim to instill pride in all Africans and awaken the comradery, especially now as the world treads on foreign territory and demands that we all pull together. Viewers from far and wide are encouraged to participate in the #AfricaWeSee conversation by sharing messages, pictures and video content in celebration of Africa Month.

Share your unique #AfricaWeSee story with us:  https://www.facebook.com/DStvGhana/  and GOtv https://www.facebook.com/GOtvGhana/  to play your part. Stand tall and be proud to be African!

For more information on DStv and GOtv local content offering, products and services visit www.dstvafrica.com or www.gotvafrica.com . To manage your account, download the MyDStv App or MyGOtv App. To enjoy all the extra entertainment on the move, download the DStv Now App which allows you to watch from wherever you are.

Celebrate Africa Day on DStv and GOtv this Monday, 25th May 2020. The “Africa Day Benefit Concert At Home” presented by YouTube & ViacomCBS Networks Africa in partnership with Idris Elba will feature the biggest names in African music along with global superstar presenters to celebrate Africa Day.

The Africa Day Benefit Concert At Home will be a 2-hour special that will broadcast to millions of viewers in Africa and around the world on MTV and BET at 7pm.

The two-hour special aims to not only entertain viewers at home but also to raise funds that will support food and health needs for children and families in Africa affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. All proceeds pre and post the virtual concert will be directed to The World Food Programme and UNICEF who have joined forces in support of those most impacted by COVID-19.

“We are excited to celebrate Africa month as a continent, and there is no better way to celebrate our beautiful and vibrant continent than with music, the one universal language. Viewers can enjoy their favourite artist in the comfort of their home,” says Cecil Sunkwa Mills MD, MultiChoice Ghana.

The humanitarian concert, which will be hosted by Hollywood superstar Idris Elba, will feature star-studded special appearances from Trevor Noah and performances from African legends Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ismael Lo together with some of the most talented artists across the continent, including Burna Boy, Stonebwoy, Tiwa Savage, Sho Madjozi, Davido, AKA and Tiwa Savage with newly announced performances from Drizilik, James Bks, Wavy Boy Smith, M.anifest and more who are uniting to commemorate Africa Day and provide hope and inspiration during COVID-19.

The benefit concert will feature African musical legend, Yvonne Chaka Chaka together with Rita Ora, Richard Mofe Damijo, Masai Ujiri, Amadou Fall, Francis Ngannou, Pearl Thusi, Nelson Freitas, Boity Thulo, Eliud Kipchoge, Bonang Matheba, Timi Dakolo, Anika Noni Rose, Cobhams, Skepta, Wale, Jidenna, Serge Ibaka and French Montana with previously announced African and International stars who are all adding their messages of support.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of many and disrupted economic activity, increasing the threat to food security and children’s survival and wellbeing. All funds raised from the concert will be donated to UNICEF and The World Food Programme to support COVID-19 affected communities in Africa. The benefit concert will be made available after Africa Day to continue encouragement for organisations and individuals to contribute towards fundraising through The World Food Programme and UNICEF campaign website uni.cf/Africa

The full list of stars, artists, humanitarian champions and personalities that you can expect to see at the historic Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home includes:

Performers:

Adekunle Gold (Nigeria), Afro B (UK), AKA (South Africa), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Bebe Cool (Uganda), Burna Boy (Nigeria), Busiswa (South Africa), C4 Pedro (Angola), Davido (Nigeria), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Drizilik (Sierra Leone), FALLY IPUPA (DRC), Ismael Lo (Senegal), James BKS (France), Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa), M.anifest (Ghana), Nandy (Tanzania), Nasty C (South Africa), Ndlovu Youth Choir (South Africa), Niniola (Nigeria), Reekado Banks (Nigeria), Rema (Nigeria), Salif Keita (Mali), Sauti Sol (Kenya), Sho Madjozi (South Africa), Stonebwoy (Ghana), Teni (Nigeria), Timi Dakolo (Nigeria), Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), Toofan (Togo), Wavy Boy Smith (UK) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).

Contributors

Adesua Etomi-Wellington (Nigeria), Amadou Fall (Senegal), Anele Mdoda (South Africa), Ange Eric Nguessan (Ivory Coast), Anika Noni Rose (USA), Anthony Hamilton (USA), Banky W (Nigeria), Boity (South Africa), Bonang Matheba (South Africa), Brian J White (USA), DJ Cuppy (Nigeria), DJ Fresh (South Africa), Douglas Lwanga (Uganda), Dr Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Nigeria), Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya), Falz (Nigeria), Francis Ngannou (Cameroon), French Montana (USA), Irene TTYA (UK), Jidenna (USA), Kida Kudz (UK), Ludacris (USA), Maphorisa & Kabza de Small (South Africa), Mark Angel (Nigeria), Masai Ujiri (UK), Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde), Nomzamo Mbatha (South Africa), Not3s (UK), Omari Hardwick (USA), Pearl Thusi (South Africa), Rita Ora (UK), RMD (Nigeria), Robbie (UK), Rotimi (USA), Sean Paul (USA), Serge Ibaka (Congo), Seun Kuti (Nigeria), TBO Touch (South Africa), Toke Makinwa (Nigeria), Trevor Noah (South Africa/US), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Winston Duke (USA), Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South Africa) and Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa).

Catch the Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home on Monday, May 25^th at 7pm across MTV Base (DStv channel 322 and GOtv 172), BET Africa (DStv channel 129 and GOtv Channel 121) and at 9pm on Comedy Central (DStv channel 122) channels.

• Benefit concert to air on DStv and GOtv across Africa
• Will Feature Performances and Appearances by Top African Artistes, Personalities from their homes
• Funding raised to support health care professionals across the continent

As part of efforts to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, MultiChoice has partnered with the One Africa Global Foundation for a continent-wide broadcast of the COVID-19 Hope For Africa Concert on Sunday, May 31^st from 20:00 CAT on Africa Magic Family (DStv channel 154 and GOtv channel 102).

The One Africa Global Foundation, the development arm of One Africa Global, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization working for the social development of vulnerable and less privileged people. The COVID-19 Hope For Africa Concert is part of its efforts in supporting the eradication of the coronavirus currently plaguing Africa and the rest of the world.

The 3-hour televised special will feature performances by top African music artistes as well as appearances by media icons and other prominent personalities on the continent. The star studded line-up includes: 2Baba, Akothee, Banky W, Betty G, CIC, Cobhams Asuquo, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Denola Grey, Diamond Platnumz, Eddie Jay, Jahprazah, Jeff Maximum,  Kyee Benda, Osas Ighodaro, Princess Jnap Sessay, Praiz and Waje, all of whom will give goodwill messages of hope and encouragement to every African, from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Speaking on the partnership, GM of MultiChoice Ghana Ltd, Mr. Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, “As Africa’s biggest storyteller, we are committed to giving back to the communities where we operate. We are passionate about the development of the African continent as we continue to use the power of entertainment to give hope, enrich lives, and bring people together especially during these uniquely difficult times. This is why we are partnering with the One Africa Global Foundation to broadcast the COVID-19 Hope For Africa Concert in more than 49 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.”

The funding raised from the concert will be dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of health care professionals across the continent who are on the front lines in the fight against the virus. These funds will be used as special interventions for accessible, functional medical equipment, COVID testing stations and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure to the virus.

Chief Executive Officer, One Africa Global Foundation, Paul Okoye said: “As the world unites to fight this pandemic, Africa needs to play its part. We have done well so far but we can definitely do more together. Which is why the One Africa Global Foundation ‘Hope for Africa’ COVID-19 Virtual Benefit Concert was put together for us to dig deep in our hearts and lend a hand to the Continent that has given so much to the world. You and I and the rest of Africa can only play our roles diligently and hope. We are stronger together and flattening the curve will not yield results if as individuals we don’t play our part. We at One Africa Global Foundation stand united with all citizens of our great land, to protect, preserve and empower Africa in this crisis”

 For more information about the COVID-19 Hope For Africa Concert, please visit www.OAGFoundation.com and follow One Africa Global Foundation @oagfoundation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtags #OneAfricaGlobal #HopeForAfrica.

MultiChoice has announced the return of Big Brother Naija Reunion Show starring the housemates of the Pepper Dem Season on Monday, June 1 on Africa Magic Urban (DStv Channel 153) at 7pm and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 and GOtv Channel 129) at 7:30pm.

Fans of the popular reality TV show will be treated to the most epic reunion show yet that promises to be filled with emotional outbursts, wild surprises and other OMG moments served by the BBNaija Pepper Dem gang. The show will also let viewers in on the lives of the BBNaija alumni seven months after the show’s finale.

This is no spoiler alert but there will be laughter, tears and confrontations as the ex-housemates along with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the show’s host, revisit the events that rocked Biggie’s house last season.

Fans and viewers will also hope to get answers to some burning questions and perhaps witness the end to the rivalries between some of the ex-housemates.

The Big Brother Naija Pepper Dem Reunion will premiere Monday, 1 June and will air Mondays through to Thursdays on Africa Magic Urban at 7pm and Africa Magic Family at 7:30pm, available to customers on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access and GOtv Max and Plus.

To not miss a moment of the drama, visit www.dstvafrica.com or www.gotvafrica.com and download MyDStv or MyGOtv Apps to pay your subscription or switch your package.

Meanwhile, auditions for BBNaija season 5 is still on. Interested persons can log on to www.africamagic.tv/BBAudition to fill out the online registration form and upload a 2-minute video of themselves stating why they should be picked to be a Housemate in the upcoming season.

The online audition is free and open to interested male and female participants, who are of Nigerian nationality with a valid Nigerian passport, and must be 21 years of age by June 1, 2020.

Keep up to date with news and information on the Pepper Dem reunion show by following the Big Brother Naija social media fan pages on Twitter @bbnaija, Instagram @bigbronaija and Facebook www.facebook.com/bigbrothernaija, with the hashtag #BBNaija.

FRANCIS DOKU APPOINTED NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF TV3

Management of Media General, Ghana’s leading media company has this morning Friday 29th May 2020 announced new appointments and changes in its management team effective 1st June 2020.

Francis Doku, a career media professional as well as a consummate marketing communications specialist with almost two decades hands-on experience in media strategy, planning, buying and brands communication has been appointed as the new General Manager of TV3 Network, the nation’s number one television platform.

Mr. Doku has almost two decades of experience in journalism out of which he has been writing a column on radio and television related subjects for a decade and half. He is focused on developing the best marketing solutions for clients using his in-depth knowledge of the media landscape and its effect on brands and communication. Francis previously served as General Manager of Digital and MG Radio at Media General.

Micheal Oti-Adjei who is currently the Group Head of Sports will assume the role of General Manager, Digital.  Afeafa Nfojoh, the current Head of Production of Adesa Production Limited will take over the vacant role of General Manager, Adesa Production Limited.

Head of News Planning and Research, Sedem Ofori takes on the position of General Manager, News, and Abraham Asare assigned as the acting General Manager of MG Radio.

The appointed managers all come on board with a wealth of experience in their areas of expertise and are expected to champion a revolution to strengthen the group’s lead in the industry and make it Africa’s leading Media company.

Source: Pep Junia