Miss Malaika 2013 Naa Oyoe Quartey (middle) with her runner ups Nana Adwoa Twumwaa Baafi (right) and Aisha Kaleem (left)

After witnessing the auditioning session for this year’s edition of the Miss Malaika beauty reality series, one is left in no doubt that beauty pageants and the Miss Malaika Ghana pageant by extension has come to stay and the exciting sessions will start airing on Sunday August 31^st at 8 pm on GhOne TV^.

The turn out for the Accra auditions which was held at GhOne Studios  a couple of weeks ago was not only phenomenal but hugely impressive as the caliber of contestants that turned up to be auditioned by the three judges – William Asiedu, Rodney  and Ama Nettey ( Winner, Miss Malaika Ghana 2010) was very high.

The Judges had their job cut out for them as they had the duty of vetting each of the contestants in turn and trim the initial number of about 500 to about a hundred beautiful young women.

16 ladies will eventually emerge out of the process to compete in the nearly 13 weeks of intensive competition. Watching the ladies eagerly join the auditions train, one wonders why so many young ladies find the Miss Malaika pageant an excellent avenue to explore their potentials.

It has been observed that Malaika acts like a finishing school for many of these young ladies who enter the competition. The weekly tasks and the activities planned around the pageant especially the international tourism opportunity has certainly acted as a pull factor for many a beautiful young woman. The Miss Malaika pageant is still the only pageant in Ghana that sends the ten finalists on an exciting international trip.

Malaika as a pageant of choice might also stem from the fact that the competition is one of the longest running pageants in the country and certainly one of the most reputable. The pageant, in its 12^th year, has seen the crowning of some of the most brilliant ladies as queens including Hamamat Montia, Melissa Baba, Laurie Naa Lamle Lawson, Dr.Tamara Aku Dzormeku, Ama Nettey, Jeraldine Parttinton and the current reigning queen, Naa Oyo Quartey.

Charterhouse producers of the pageant have presented it as a beauty reality series that starts airing  the interesting audition episode on GhOne TV from Sunday 31^st  August and every other Sunday at 8PM.

This pageant has no doubt, blazed the trail for other beauty pageants to follow. The culture of “First” has always made the pageant stand out at a time when patrons have become weary of beauty pageants in general.

Myjoyonline.com reports that, nine passengers from Ebola stricken Sierra Leone Friday, claim they were not screened on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport.

According to one of them, they handed over their passports to Immigration officials at the counter and after going through the necessary checks, and were allowed to go without any screening.

They had returned from Sierra Leone where they work for a mining company.

“And after checking; we ended up collecting our luggage and then left the airport. No one screened us; nothing of that sort happened; there was no screening at all,” he told Joy News’ Joseph Opoku Gakpo.

He said even though they told the Immigration officers they were coming from Sierra Leone, the officers did not deem it necessary to have them screened and allowed them entry into Ghana.

“I was even expecting screening for the nine of us considering the Ebola situation in that country but there was nothing of that sort,” he said.

They transited through Senegal to Accra in one day.

Head of Health and Safety Department of the mining company, which has operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, said he was alarmed when his colleagues told him they were not screened at the airport.

Tawiah Agyei said he was told it is only passengers of direct flights from the Ebola hit countries, who are screened.

He, however, urged the port authorities to update whatever systems are being used to have every passenger go through the process of screening.

Ghana’s legendary boxer Professor Azumah Nelson leaves Ghana this Friday 29th August for Australia ahead of the launch of his biography titled “The Professor: the Life of Azumah Nelson”.

The 278 paged book authored by Australian journalist Ashley Morrison chronicles the life of Africa’s greatest boxer of all time and Hall of Famer: thes best and worst moments, wins and losses and the secrets to his enviable career record.

The book was to be launched first in Ghana in July but was postponed due to the death of the Board Chairman of the Azumah Nelson Foundation, P.V Obeng. The Azumah Nelson Foundation is a non-profit founded by Azumah Nelson to support deprived children through sports and education. However, per the schedue, the book is expected to be launched in Australia from September 3-14 in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth so coincidentally becomes the first place to witness the unveiling of the book.

The Ghana launched, which is expected to sit distinguished personalities like ex-Presidents Rawlings and Kuffour, President John Mahama, politicians, corporate Ghana, sporting personalities both local and international, Reps from the WBC, etc wil take place in October this year. Similar launches are planned for Europe, America and other parts of Africa.

The Azumah Nelson Foundation with support from Building Bridges, USA is currently constructing a 6classroom block for an adopted school in Anum Apapam in the Eastern region and plans to do similar in other parts of the country. The key project of the Foundation is the construction of the Foundation Complex, a multi-purpose sports academy at Akuse where the Foundation has vast plots of lands.

Proceeds from the book launches will go to support the construction of the first phase of the project which will include dormitories, classrooms and offices.

Signed,
Yaw Sakyi Afari
Azumah’s Manager

Africa Magic, in association with MultiChoice and proud sponsors Amstel Malta, is announcing the call to entry for the 2015 edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), the prestigious initiative that honours film and TV talent across the continent. A special announcement will be screened on all Africa Magic channels on Wednesday 3 September at 20:00 CAT, when entry for the awards will be officially opened.

The AMVCAs were created to celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry and with the success of the 2013 and 2014 editions, preparations are in top gear for the 2015 edition.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Regional Director for M-Net (West), said: “We are pleased to announce the call to entry for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. The African movie and television industry is brimming with exciting talent, and at Africa Magic we contribute to the industry by not only giving these talents the platform to showcase their art and celebrating their achievements, we also encourage them to keep honing their craft.”

This year, a number of awards in different categories will be presented ranging from acting and directing to scriptwriting and cinematography. Other categories will include: editing, make-up, sound, and lighting amongst others.

John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, expressed his delight at the growing success of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, saying: “There have been two editions of the AMVCAs and so far, the improvement that this award has brought to African film production cannot be ignored. For us as MultiChoice, the success of these awards further showcases our commitment to recognising the amazing skills that exist in this ever-growing industry. Furthermore, our continued investment demonstrates our dedication in helping unearth and celebrate talent in the whole continent. I have much confidence that the next edition in 2015 will leave an even bigger impact on the African film production industry than the previous two.”

Also expressing her excitement for being part of the AMVCAs, Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, Miss Hannatu Ageni-Yusuf said: “As the number one premium Malt brand inNigeria, Amstel Malta is again pleased to be part of this year’s Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards. It is truly a unique platform which aligns perfectly with the brand’s essence, encouraging and also rewarding young ambitious Africans. Last year on this platform, Amstel Malta launched its new campaign, tagged ‘the journey’. This year, the brand is set to allow consumers to witness the joys of being focused on their goals and even beating their best, while on their journey to success.”

The first edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony took place in Lagos in March, 2013, and was broadcast live to DStv and GOtv audiences across the continent. The event drew big names from across the continent’s TV and film industryand saw the Best Actor and Best Actress in a Drama awards going to Nigerian OC Ukeje and Ghanaian Jackie Appiah, in the respective categories.

In the 2014 edition, multi-award winning actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim, took home the award for best while Ghanaian film producer/director, Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s movie The Contract won in several categories. The 2014 AMVCAs also saw renowned film and TV veteran, Pete Edochie, clinching the prestigious lifetime achievement award.

Entry for the AMVCAs is free and the closing date for submissions is the 31 October, 2014. Entries should be sent t to: AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards, PO Box 2963, Pinegowrie, 2123, South Africa, with attention to the Manager, Local Productions Africa. They can also log on to www.africamagic.tv for more details on the submission procedure and requirements.

The Ama K. Abebrese Foundation is to partner the Ghana Girl Guides Association.

A formal, meet-and-greet event to concretise the relationship was held at the latter’s offices in Accra on Tuesday, where the actress had a rare interaction with members of the association.

Important in many ways, the relationship will see the Girls act as ambassadors of the I Love My Natural Skin Tone campaign against skin bleaching, which is spearheaded by Ama.

Officials of the institution say they agreed to be part of the campaign because they saw in it, a useful social cause that must be supported.

They also added that it largely blended in well with their “Free Being Me” campaign.

Several promotional efforts aimed at whipping up excitement and support for the campaign will go live in December, Ama K said.

“It’s a self-love campaign and not a judgmental one to point fingers,” she says.

“The aim is to inform as many girls as possible so partnering with GGGA which is already a big girls guide will give the campaign more ambassadors apart from the celebs we have now to give it a bigger voice and reach across the country.”

She adds: “The rule to avoiding skin bleaching or toning is simple, when in doubt about the content of the cream, use natural shea butter or other products you are certain will not bleach your skin.

“And one thing many of the girls believe is that, when they are two or three shades lighter, they will be beautiful or look better in front of a camera but that is not true.”

“The celebs ambassadors of the ‘I Love My Natural Skin Tone’ campaign will be supporting these girls from time to time whenever the need arise at their events to give it the prominence it deserves.”

Talking more on the partnership, Mrs Alberta Mensah, of the Girl Guides Association said:

“We are happy with this partnership and will put in all the efforts we can to project the message of not toning or bleaching their skins.

“And since it conforms with our own program “Free Being Me” we will use her and her ambassadors as mentors to create awareness.

“We will have a big walk, a talk and we are still planning more activities that will factor in this message of the girls being themselves in pursuing their goals without toning or bleaching.”

A successful campaign thus far, the I love My Natural Skin Tone campaign has received great support nationwide.

In a sound and silent war against bleaching, it continues to push for women to embrace their natural skin tones.

MORE INFO:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilovemynaturalskintone

You can also visit the Ghana Girl Guide Association @ www.ghanagirlguides.com

The Accra Film School AFS has announced that admissions are open for the 2014/2015 academic year.

The school is currently considering applications for certificate courses in the various disciplines in film and theatre. The results of the application will be communicated to applicants as soon as they are available towards the end September.

Prospective candidates for admission must be 16 years and older; and hold at least a WASSCE, its equivalent or higher to pursue courses such as Film Editing, Acting, Directing, Script writing, photography and television presentation; at the school.

Executive Director of the School, Rex-Anthony Annan has high hopes for the next session. He says, “The time to raise the pertaining standards in Ghana’s film industry is overdue hence the Accra Film School’s unique mandate to churn out next generation of fantastic film makers.” He added that AFS courses are sure to substantially create deeper passions for telling the African and Ghanaian stories excellently.

The Accra Film School opened in 2012 and has since graduated 50 professional film makers and is expected to quadruple this number in 5 years.

Admission details can be found at www.accrafilmschool.com.

Kay Elliott

Ghanaian born actor K Elliott in Yvonne Nelson’s “Single and Married” has penned the director cum scriptwriter as the possible bearer of his breakthrough to Hollywood in his budding life in the Ghanaian Movie Industry.

Elliott also named Leila Djansi as his dream director “She has it, she is very professional, her movies go far, she is just the director I would love to work with.” He added however that his ultimate dream is to be in Hollywood.

Apart from Leila Djansi, Kay expressed his gratitude to his brother Mallon Kwabena Bartels of Barco Studios and Yvonne Nelson for unearthing his acting skills.

“Yvonne Nelson was my breakthrough. Giving all that people are saying and the rumours, she has made up her mind to do one thing and she has remained focused on it, and I believe that will take her and her talents very far.”

The actor went on to express his gratitude to the producer stating that his role in the movie really made people recognize his talent “My friends and family have always been on my case to be an actor, but I didn’t have any interest in it, until 3 years ago when I had a call from my friend Yvonne Nelson.

She asked that I audition for a role in her movie Single and Married, I did, got picked and now I am booked till January 2015, and I tell you her Single, Married and Complicated is going to be a big thing” he revealed.

Speaking in an interview with The General Telegraph on the issues pertaining to Ghana’s movie industry, the artiste added his voice to the numerous calls for a well-structured Ghanaian Movie Industry. He opined that, “the government of the nation should be aware of and interested in what filmmakers are putting out there because it is a way of marketing the nation, and it should be well regulated and coordinated.

The Graphic Designer/Entrepreneur/Model/Actor entered the Ghanaian movie industry about two years ago and has since rubbed shoulders with the likes of Chris Attoh, Nadia Buari and Anita Erskine, a situation he described as very challenging.

“My debut role was challenging because there were the big shots, but once I was there I felt I also had something to offer and had to join them so I worked hard behind the scenes to be at par with them and I enjoyed it.”

Elliot is up for challenges but loves to focus on one thing at a time. As such, the actor has currently put on hold, MK Solutions; his ad consultancy firm, to enable him give all his attention to the movies he is currently shooting. He is also taking up radio hosting lessons from Caroline Sampson of YFM.

He however revealed to The General Telegraph that he is yet to act his challenging role “a serial killer”. “My most challenging role so far has been playing Elvis in “Heartbreak Hotel” on TV3. Elvis is a James Brown fanatic so he incorporates his dance moves whenever he gets the chanceto entertain an audience. At the same time Elvis is in a love triangle.

Speaking about the mostchallenging role he would love to play, Kay says I would love to play a serial killer sometime. I wonder what goes on in their minds and how they manage not to be spotted. I wonder how they juggle being a psychopath and being normal.

Unfortunately, he has always been typecast as the player or married man in most of his movies, but yet to be challenged into other characters than that, “I think it’s just because I look the type but I would love to do some other roles, like a psychopath to know how they think and conceive their ideas, a doctor or someone with a life threatening disease like cancer just to inspire them to hold on and others around them”.

After starring in Single and Married, K has featured in five more movies, (Purple Rose, Devil In a Dress, Love Regardless, If You Were Mine, Cheaters) 4 movie series and still counting more to his credit. I am very picky when it comes to roles and scripts, I read, know my character and I look at the production crew. I believe that because I started with the top notch, I should maintain myself there, so am very picky which accounts for the fewer movies I have done so far.”

On settling down as a celebrity, and the perception on the subject? “Whoever you are, there is always someone out there for you but people think actors are very peculiar, they are unstable, always out, having affairs on set. Acting is just the person’s job and we are really done after the set. Most of us have wives and girlfriends. Partners who understand that we are and what we do on set its just business.”

He added that rumors will always go around but do not need to be responded to. “I heard rumors of me dating Yvonne Nelson and my naked pictures being on Ghana Celebrities and I didn’t react to in anyway because I believe I believe any publicity is good publicity”. In the not too distant future, K Elliot would want to integrate his acting career with that of his ad consultancy.

The friendly, well spoken, opinionated gentleman is the last of two children and is known by close friends as a “Mama Bee”. He schooled at Tema SOS, did Junior High at the AkosomboInternational School and continued at Mfantsipim, but left in the second year to the UK. There he studied HND Graphic Designing in college and continued to the University where he gained a degree in Graphic Designing and Digital Media, worked with Sky News for a year as well asSaachi and Saachi in East London.

The Denzel Washington inspired actor has an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for neatness, is a fetish for neat female feet but hates his own toes. “Am ‘always’ in socks because I don’t like my toes. When asked if he was in a relationship Elliot stated “Am very single, not married and not complicated. He closes his interview saying my future Mrs. Kay Elliot should just be able to stimulate him mentally.

For fans of Kay, he can be reached on the following social media handles:

Submitted by: Martha Teiko Daitey and Eyra Doe/The General Telegraph 

Some members of MUSIGA AMWEF Fund (P.K. YAMOAH sitting 2nd from R-L)

The Musicians Union of Ghana announces with heavy heart, the demise of Veteran musician Peter Kwabena Yamoah aka P.K. Yamoah of Serwah Akoto fame.

The 86 year old veteran died on August 26, 2014 after a short illness at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

P.K. Yamoah nurtured many musicians in Ghana and gave Nana Kwame Ampadu his break in the early 60s prior to Nana’s formation of the African Brothers band. P.K .Yamoah is also credited with grooming the likes of Agyarku and Smart Nkansah who went on to form the Sunsum Band and Lee Duodu of Bisa Goma and Akoote Brofo fame.

P.K. Yamoah who was based in Kumasi after an initial sojourn in Accra is one of the most influential musicians whose imprint on the Ghanaian music scene was widely recognized. In 2008 as part of the ninth edition of the MTN Ghana Music Awards, Yamoah was celebrated with a Certificate of Merit for his immense contribution to the Ghanaian music scene.

Yamoah’s repertoire of hits included songs like Fa Asem Kye, Onantefo and Obido Me, Sika Mpe Rough and Nya Asem Hwe.

In a statement, MUSIGA President Bice Osei Kuffour noted that PK Yamoah  who was a member and a beneficiary of  the Unions Ageing Musician Welfare Fund (AMWEF)  was a real pillar of the  music industry and very supportive of the Union.

He is survived by four children.

Jim Iyke (James Ikechukwu Esomugha) is a Nigerian actor and singer-songwriter. He is one of the highest paid Nollywood actors and has featured in over 150 films.

• Have you listened to Jim Iyke talk in movies? He sounds as if he makes his own lines and completely ignores his scripts. He is so intense! Lol, but I love it.

• Pay attention to some of his infamous poses during interviews. Jim’s legs are always crossed on top of the other, as well as his fingers between each other a majority of the time when he is trying to make a point. As well, how dare I forget “the shades never come off”. I can’t tell you the last time I noticed eye contact during one of his interviews.

• He has a show called ‘Jim Iyke Unscripted’ that “clearly” is partially scripted! How ironic?! It’s just not authentic enough. Even his ex-fiancee Keturah Hamilton said she had to act as a “crazy jealous lover” to draw attention for the show.

• Jimmy released an album in 2010 titled ‘Who am I?’. Myself and many others couldn’t tell the head or tail behind the reasoning of this. In his first single also titled ‘Who am I?’ with TuFace, I couldn’t even identify his voice. Its funny how a lot of Nigerian actors branch from one extreme field to another in any kind of way. It unfortunately didn’t work out for him as planned.

• We are all happy for his relationship with Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari. I just think its hilarious how couples give each other shoutouts on social media. He confirmed their relationship on Twitter with this comment “She calls me Skittles. I named her Space. D gift of laughter, companionship n trust is incomparable. BFF. Love is a f***ing beautiful thang!”.

Culled from Nigeriafilms.com

On Thursday August 21, 2014 Miss Giuseppina Nana Akua Baafi celebrated her birthday with the children of the Royal Seed Home (RSH), a residential children’s home based in Ofaakor, Central Region of Ghana.

Supported by her family and friends, Miss Baafi took the opportunity to make some donations worth 10.000 Ghana Cedis to the orphanage. Some of the items donated were bags of rice, stationary, gallons of cooking oil, biscuits, drinks etc.

Founder of the Home, Naomi Esi Amoah thanked the beauty queen for her kind gesture and her entourage.

“From the staff, kids, we are giving this [certificate] to our big family [Giuseppina Baafi and her entourage] and we say a big thanks to the whole family. God bless you”, she said after presenting a certificate of their visit to the Home.

The children joined hands to sings the ‘Happy Birthday’ song to her and wished her well in her endeavours. They helped to slice her birthday cake.

Miss Baafi said “God bless you too. Thank you very much for receiving us. And this beautiful kids, they are like our brothers and sisters, we will do anything to support them. They are our future leaders and thanks for having us.

The donation and the party were supported by ICA Ghana, YOKS Car Rental and others.

Watch video

Jefferson Sackey

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Sherry Ayittey and Ghanaian international Journalist with the Multimedia Group, Jefferson Sackey are among this year’s recipients of an Honorary Doctorate Degree Awards from the Dayspring Christian University in Mississipi, USA.

Samia Nkrumah, Daughter of Ghana’s first president and NADMO boss, Kofi Portuphy will also be honored for their exemplary roles in national development in their various fields.

A special convocation will be held at the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences of the University of Ghana this Saturday to confer the awards on twelve other personalities including the Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson and TUC boss Kofi Asamoah.

Past recipients of the Honorary Doctorate Award from the US University are Ghana’s Speaker of parliament, Right Hon. Dr. Doe Adjaho and Coach of Ghana’s national football team, Dr. Kwesi Appiah.

NBCUniversal and Multichoice continue to pull out all the stops by showcasing the best telenovelas on the small screen

For a year, Telemundo Africa on GOtv channel 13 has been gripping GOtv subscribers across the continent with its offering of high quality, first-run telenovelas featuring dramatic storylines, glamorous cast and exotic locations.

To mark the milestone, Telemundo launched a brand new telenovela titled Broken Angel, which features real life sweethearts and Telemundo favourites Carlos Ponce and Ximena Duque along with Gaby Espino and Aaron Diaz.

Broken Angel which is a 136 episodes, follows the story of a woman on a quest seeking revenge for the murder of her husband, as she falls in love with her accomplice.

Telemundo launched last year with four telenovelas, namely: Aurora, My Heart Beats for Lola (which became Telemundo’s most popular telenovela locally), Behind Closed Doors and Precious Rose. This year, Telemundo brought viewers more top rating telenovelas from the US including Labour of Love, The Queen of the South and Someone’s Watching.

Since the channel’s launch, a number of high profile Telemundo talent from as far afield as Mexico, Columbia and the US visited the African content including Angelica Celaya, AylinMujica, Catherine Siachoque, Rafael Amaya, David Chocarro, Jorge Luis Pila, Ana Layevska, Fabian Rios, Ximena Duque and Carlos Ponce.

Undoubtedly fans across Africa will continue to feel Telemundo’s passion for many months to come with great new telenovelas playing out on the small screen at the moment, like the gripping thriller Someone’sWatching, the eerie love story of Elena’s Ghost and the tale of two empowered female bodyguards in Fearless Heart. The last premiere of 2014 will be Where Is Elisa that launches in October.

Naa Ashorkor and Sydney Hushie

Young, beautiful and sassy actress cum TV host, Naa Ashokor, will host this year’s British Council’s Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) Fashion and Design Award with Sydney Hushie on Friday, August 29, 2014.

Naa Ashorkor, favourite TV face for many, is a second of three girls who hails from Teshie Tsui Bleoo. For a lady who holds her own, she exudes beauty with brains and is a strong believer of educating and empowering women so they are confidence and competent in taking control of their lives.

Sydney the host of last year’s Cambridge International Awards, works with the British Council. His talents in events hosting inspires him to take the stage and drive programs home with style. Together, the two talents will lit the stage as they steer the Awards Night home.

The British Council’s Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) Fashion and Design Award will honor one winner out of the five finalists. The YCE Fashion and Design 2014 Award winner will participate in a shared tour of the UK’s fashion and design sector which runs from 13^th – 19^th  September 2014 in London.

Join the British Council Ghana celebrate talented Ghanaians later this evening (18:00 – 20:00pm), Friday August 29, 2014 at the British Council Hall near the National Theatre.  See you there!!

The Interim Board of the Ghana Music Right Organization (GHAMRO) has released a statement spelling out strategies it intends to use in ensuring transparency with the affairs of the organization.

The statement, read by a member of the Interim Board and music publisher, Enock Agyepong, during the first press conference of GHAMRO on August 28, 2014 at Oak Plaza, said as part of building transparency, the board will publish its financial Statements monthly in dailies at the Office Notice board and also a copy sent to AG. The board will also hold Stakeholders meeting in October.

“There is going to be an Open Door Policy. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Linkedin and YouTube have been created for questions and suggestions and interactions”, he added.

Under the theme, “Current State of GHAMRO And The Way Forward”, the first Press Conference was organized, according to the board, to lay bare the current state of affairs of GHAMRO, what has been done since assuming the office and the way forward.

The interim Public Relations Officer, Kwame Nsiah Apau, also talked about the current state of GHAMRO’s account. He revealed that since their appointment as Receiver Managers, they have been able to receive an amount of twenty five thousand Ghana Cedis and saved in a Guaranty Trust Bank account.

The conference was also attended by veteran musicians like Nana Ampadu, Kojo Antwi, Ekaw Micah, Randy Nono, Akosua Agyapong, Ben Brako and others.

Nana Akufo-Addo

By GhanaGist.Com

The opposite New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to go on Special Delegate Congress across the country on Sunday August 31, 2014.

The NPP will be voting in the special election to reduce the seven persons contesting for the party’s flagbearership position.

There has been several endorsements, the latest to join are movie director Socrate Kwabena Safo and music producer Mark Okraku Mantey of Creative Arts for Change (CAfC) have endorsed two-time former flagbearer of the party, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

CAfC is a collection of creative arts professionals who seek to lobby institutions – state, private, social or political – for the interest of our industry.

Read their statement below available to GhanaGist.Com and copied to the Delegates of the Special Electoral College, the Chairman, Paul Afoko, all Regional Chairmen and the media.

To Delegates of the NPP Special Electoral College.
C/o The Chairman, Paul Afoko
Cc: All Regional Chairmen
Media

Dear Delegates of the NPP Special Electoral College,

We humbly write to you honourable members of the upcoming Special Electoral College of your party, the New Patriotic Party, regarding our support for one of the contestants Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. It is our prayer to you to consider our lobby for him.

Creative Arts for Change, CAfC, is a collection of creative arts professionals who seek to lobby institutions – state, private, social or political – for the interest of our industry.

We were formed in 2012, having taken notice of the fact that if we did not actively take up our responsibility regarding the choices we make for our industry we would continue not to be taken seriously beyond what people perceive us to be – entertainers. After deliberation and consideration of our interests, and having weighed the candidates out there, we publicly and openly endorsed Nana Akufo-Addo, and by extension the NPP. We are however not partisan or pro-NPP.

We have a support base of over 500 sympathizers within the industry. This was proven by the numbers who joined us to visit Nana Akufo-Addo in his house at Nima to endorse him officially. This was further proven in the showing in Kumasi at the Cultural Center in 2012 of these sympathizers we mobilized to hear Nana Akufo-Addo present his policy and vision for the development of the creative arts industry, a notable first in our political history as far as we know.

Our supporters/sympathizers in turn can be argued to represent thousands of other industry professionals and associates such as our agents in distribution, marketing and sales of our products. We also access the general Ghanaian public through film, theater, music and all other aspects of our industry.

We, again, after further consideration over the period, endorse Nana Akufo-Addo for the 2016 election.

We take note of the fact that we are not card bearing members of your organization and therefore have no direct influence on your decisions. At best we can only lobby you for support and endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo in the process of your primaries, specifically your Special Electoral College of this Sunday August 31st, 2014. We still believe that Nana Akufo-Addo is our best bet for the development of our industry by all indications.

We have looked again at our interests, considered the depth of his understanding of those interests and taken cognizance of what the Ghanaian public has been saying publicly and privately. We believe he is the candidate we will work for to win the next general election. We therefore, humbly, urge you to endorse the candidacy of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo at the Special Electoral College.

We wish you well.

On behalf of the members and sympathizers of CAfC

Mark Okraku Mantey
Socrate Safo

Welcome to this week’s Piece of Peace. Today I would like to share with you on the topic: STICKS AND STONES

There is a basic fundamental need we all have as humans to belong to a social group and to be accepted by other people. This fundamental need means we consistently crave the comfort that our social circle brings. It means that, as we grow up, our friendship circles become more and more imbedded in our lives. They help shape our moral fabric, they determine to an extent the levels of happiness we exercise and they shape our opinions on how well or not we are doing in life. Our need to belong and to feel accepted forms the cornerstone of the level of success we feel we have attained.

For example, for most people, success does not really mean a lot to us, unless society validates our efforts. Thus if everyone can see and acknowledge that the new sports car that you have purchased is impressive, then we are more likely to be excited about our success. This validation need we have means that, we are consistently bombarded with differing thoughts on how we should live our lives. People are temperamental. They are unpredictable. Today you may be the best thing they have ever seen, but tomorrow those same people will treat you like a plague.

You simply cannot rely on public opinion to validate the progress you are making in life. It is the surest way to fail. There was once a time that Michael Jackson was hailed by everyone as the greatest and most amazing talent ever seen. Those same people called him a pedophile and mentally unstable at a later stage. The validation we want can only come from within.

Every one of us is on a unique path to greatness and it means that no two journeys will ever be the same. Sometimes when your journey seems to be bearing more fruit for you than others, the envy and the jealousy means that people will move from support mode to attack mode and if you are someone who is heavily reliant on the opinions of people for validation, you will begin to undo all the blessings that God has given you thus far. When you get to a stage where everyone seems to want to be your friend, know that it is the first warning sign that you are doing something wrong. Success has no friends. Not real ones anyway. It brings with it a lot of fake people who want to share the limelight of God’s blessings in your life.

It is important not to let the comments of negative people weigh you down. It takes a lot more effort responding to negativity than it does to ignore them. People who disregard the way you feel and try to bring you down do not need any extra attention. Some things are simply not worth the fight. There comes a time when the much sort after love that we crave from people will no longer be available.  What will happen then? Focus your energy on positive self-development and always being a blessing to every person around you. The only person’s opinion you can trust is that calm assuring voice from within. Some call it instinct. I like to think it is the presence of God directing us on a path that is just perfect for us. Learn to trust that voice and block out the negative comments from people.

Remember be yourself, everyone else is taken.

Much love,

Peace Hyde.

Television Awards Ghana launch

The growth of Television stations in this country has risen tremendously especially with the introduction of digital TV sets and digi-box in the country.

Research shows that there are more digital TV stations than the analogue ones and that also translates into the quick rise in digital TV sets as compared to the analogue ones now in the country.

Also very soon TV stations will migrate unto the T2 platform, a plat form according to experts will add exceptional TV experience to viewers. Experts also said that the new T2 platform will allow viewers to track programming, time and schedules of a TV station.

This then means that very soon the people in the villages will have to buy a digital TV to enjoy these new services the stations are about to migrate to.

With this interesting growth in both TV sets and TV stations in the country; do we (viewers) get the best of services in terms of programs from these stations and who is checking to make sure that a TV station provides the best of service to its viewers?

Could it be that because of the rapid growth of TV stations and programs a lot of institutions are taking the advantage to introduce series of awards into the system?

Another question on the minds of people is the credibility and sustainability of these awards in the industry. Are these awards inspiring the TV stations to provide the best or they are just adding up to the numbers.

Recently we heard of the launch of a new awards scheme called ‘Television Awards Ghana’. The scheme was launched at the Alisa Hotel with the aim of promoting the core values in television broadcasting.

The big question is how credible this scheme is; looking at past experiences from other similar awards schemes.

Television Awards Ghana is championed by Showtime production who doubles as a production company with three TV shows on TV3, therefore the credibility of the show is at stake. We are just asking, what if they give all the popular awards to their TV shows with the lie that they had the highest votes.

Another questionable thing about this new award scheme is the clarity and transparent of activities; we have never heard anything from the board of trustee, faculty and organizers; as to whether the trustee or faculty is working we can’t tell because we have never heard anything like that and as to whether these boards will not be a nine day wonder just as the rest we yet to see.

We know the award was launched but we don’t know the board of Trustees or the faculty. Who are the personas forming these board and how credible are they. What are their contributions to the Television industry and how transparent will they act in delivering their services as board of trustee or faculty.

One thing we lack in Ghana is a system that checks the credibility of things that revolve around us and also we lack the spirit of holding people accountable for what they promise to do. We often know the two weeks syndrome in the country where stake holders will argue and share opinions on an issue but will not push to see the end results from the said topic and not to even or people have been held responsible.

We think that the people behind the Television Awards Ghana should be called to answer a few questions; as to who and who form the board, how they meet, if possible hear from some of the board of trustee to question them on their roles.

The emotions of viewers of various shows to be submitted for nominations should not be toiled with especially when they have to vote for their favorite to win in the most popular category.

Seriously, let us ask, have these people open for nominations and if they did how come we did not hear anything about it. If they have not, then we need to know so we can follow suit.

The television awards we are sure is to reward hard working deserving programs and so forth but for the sake of transparency we want to hear more from the organizers.

 Submitted

Jonathan Eze Nwadinobi

By GhanaGist.Com

Blame here, blame there! Ghana-based Nigerian musician, Eze, has schooled MUSIGA president, Bice Osei Kufour (Obour), on how to deal with the body’s many problems.

In an interview at his Dansoman studio in Accra, the organizer of the Loud in Accra concert sought to question the organizational acumen of the body’s structure, insisting they’ve done little to help the average musician.

“They are not doing well”, he said when asked to speak briefly on the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and Ghana Music Rights Organisation of Ghana (GHAMRO).

“I’m blaming it on the structure of the industry so far. They are not doing so well. The way I expected MUSIGA and GHAMRO to play their role, they are rather deviating from the points.”

Eze adds: “If I’m supposed to be given that opportunity, which of course I will not adhere to it because of criticisms and so on, I would rather play a backyard role like the way I started from the music and promotion.”

According to him, Ghana is gifted with music talents but the industry has failed to indentify and take advantage of it. This, he said should be blamed on the fact that, the appropriate authorities have failed to tackle the basic problems in the industry.

“Ghana is blessed with music and we refuse to identify that… if you go to Nigeria or other developed country to be able to decide who leads in a year its being measured by the number of CDs you sold, even in the States, even in UK, everywhere.”

Eze said one of the many problems in the industry is the cost of CDs. “How many CDs you sell this year, it’s not how many times your song is played on air. Now the CDs are very expensive for people to afford.”

According to him, even though the target market for CDs are mostly students, they are not able to afford even a Sarkodie and Kojo Antwi CD because they are sold over 10ghc, which he finds very expensive.

“That is the problem we are having. That’s the first problem. I see that they are neglecting that are,” he noted.

He continued, “That is the first problem I expect MUSIGA to handle. I have said it many times to Obour and his conglomerate but I think they feel it’s too primary which is the foundation of the beginning of success in music industry in Ghana.”

On the Ghana Music Right Organisation (GHAMRO), Eze said, “I feel GHAMRO is too small to stand on its own. I see it as a branch of … a subsidiary of MUSIGA. But I see now that, even MUSIGA is trying to sue them. Which means … these two people are different, is not supposed to be like that.”

Eze bemoaned the lack of appropriate Commissions in the MUSIGA set up to regulate affairs of musicians, calling for different Commissions.

One of such he is pushing for, is a Screening Committee that will look into the artistic life, behavior and standardization of the musicians in Ghana.

“Anybody gets up [and says] I’m a musician. Even a carpenter can say I’m a musician. Is that how the musicianship goes about [in Ghana]?”he asked.

Enjoy the rest of the interview

Disc Jockey and Queen of the decks, DJ Cuppy, shares her recent journey in Lagos and build up to the successful Lagos launch of her recently released compilation mix, House Of Cuppy.

Cuppy On A Mission: Lagos Diaries comes in 3 parts and in each part Cuppy gives details of what her general day in Lagos is like. From the House of Cuppy promo to Djing at events and private parties. Each part gives Cuppy fans an insight to the talent and brand known as Cuppy.

In part 1, Cuppy shared her first day back in Lagos, for her House Of Cuppy promo, as she Dj’d at the reopening of Club Quilox to meeting artiste Iceprince were we found out she is working on a project with him, we cant wait to find out what they have cooking in the studio.

Part 2 shows the 21 year old Dj as she takes us on her Radio and TV network trips as well as her press conference.

Press play, enjoy and get to know Dj Cuppy.

Cuppy On A Mission: Lagos Diaries part 2