On June 11^th 2016, HeMann Promotions in collaboration with SuperSport bring you the legendary Black tie event of African boxing over dinner, dubbed VIP Fight Night, hosted by Benny Blanco and Chris Attoh, at the Kempiski Gold Coast Hotel Ballroom in Accra.

The event will be exclusive live on SuperSport Select 2 channel 234 and GOtv: SuperSport Select 2 channel 132

On the bill are:

• Kylie Fulmer (Australia) Vs Helen Joseph (Nigeria) – The Women’s Exhibition Feather Weight Match:
• Emmanuel (Horse Power) Anim Vs Emmanuel (Mayweather) Martey – National Super Middle Weight Title fight
• Patrick (Mallet) Okine Vs Benjamin (Daddy Lumba) Lamptey – National Super Feather Weight Title fight
• Felix (Ghana) Williams Vs Waidi (Nigeria) Usman – International Feather Weight
• And many more

Tickets available at Honey Suckle Pub – Ring Road and A&C Mall, Plot 7 Nightclub & Restaurant, Kempinski Hotel, DStv Offices in Airport and Tema and HeMann Promotions on 0266086004.

The event will also be televised live to 53 countries across Africa from 7pm, on MultiChoice DStv and GOtv.

After incredible success as a song writer, Akwaboah ready to evolve artistry and re-introduce himself as the new emerging artist to watch

The latest world-music sensation from award winning Ghanaian Hiplife artist Sarkodie’s SarkCess Music record label, Akwaboah, is gaining traction with his recent international hit, I Do Love You, which features top Nigerian rapper, Ice Prince. The acclaimed single is an impeccable display of the newly-emerged artist’s talent for taking the traditional styles of music we know and love and interpreting them in a more contemporary way, carrying through rich traditions to a millennial audience.

Akwaboah’s musical heritage as grandson of legendary Highlife mogul Kwabena Akwaboah and son of the iconic star Kwadwo Akwaboah, formerly of the Marriots International Band, gave him the exposure and know-how that has propelled him to success. He has written award-winning hits for huge stars including Efya and Sarkodie among others, earning him the Song Writer of the Year Award in 2010.

Akwaboah has also featured as Voice Coach and Music Director for Vodafone Icons and MTN Hitmaker 4 in Ghana. He is slated to reprise this role for MTN Hitmaker 5 which is due to start soon. Despite this success, he has remained largely behind the scenes until now.

“I’ve truly loved creating hits such as ‘DaakeDaa’ for Becca and ‘Ayeyi Ndwom’ for DSP Kofi Sarpong, but I’m ready to now step into the spotlight and begin to make the music I’ve always dreamed of and that has always been in my soul,” said Akwaboah. “This passion runs in my blood and I’m so honored that people are connecting to my music and enjoying the art I feel blessed to be able to create.”

Akwaboah is now managed by Africa 1 Media, a professional services firm and agency known for empowering fresh new talent on Africa’s music scene through business strategy and legal counsel. Cynthia Quarcoo, Founder and CEO of Africa 1 Media, which will now manage all Sarkcess Music signees, said they were drawn to Akwaboah by his range of talent which set him apart.

This includes his mastery of the keyboard that has led him to perform with several local and international superstars including Hugh Masakela and Lady May of Big Brother fame, with whom he has a song, which he wrote and produced. He has also found success in producing and writing 2015 BET Award winner Sarkodie’s critically acclaimed album ‘Mary’.

Quarcoo added, “To have Akwaboah join our roster is very exciting for us because he is so incredibly talented as well as dedicated to his craft and produces music that is truly exceptional; we can’t wait to watch his rising success in the coming months.”

Akwaboah

Information Communications Technology (ICT) has been described as a great tool for development and enhancing education for disadvantaged communities.

However, access and the use of computers and internet is still considerably low in most rural communities in the country.

In a bid to provide learning opportunities for students in rural communities using ICT as a tool, the 2015 co-winner of Tigo Ghana’s Digital Change-makers competition, Josephine Marie Godwyll has trained over 150 pupils of Asiafo Amanfro Community School in the Eastern region with digital literacy skills.

Through a week-long ICT Summer camp dubbed: “Digital Innovators Project”, Marie Godwyll was joined by volunteers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Ghana, University of Cape-Coast, All Nations University, Koforidua Polytechnic, Technology University College (GTUC) and Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) who helped with the introductory training.

They taught the pupils basic computer skills and how to use ICT as a learning tool to study Mathematics, Science and English. At the end of the camp, the pupils recorded a 30.9 percent increase in test scores which was derived from baseline and after impact tests conducted.

Teachers from the school were also trained on how to utilize Ananse, a teacher e-learning software developed by Marie Godwyll, who is also the Founder of Young At Heart Ghana.

The ICT Summer Camp is aimed at exposing children and teachers in selected rural communities to practical digital literacy skills.

The International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, pays tribute to Babatunde Jezreel Okungbowa a.k.a OJB Jezreel. We deeply mourn the departure of an icon who played a very significant part in the evolution of the Nigeria music industry.

The renowned music producer in the contemporary Africa passed on at the early hours of Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at Isolo General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. The shocking news of his demise came barely a month to his 50th birthday.

Jigga as he was fondly called by his Gbaja cronies was passionate about showcasing the arts, music and culture of contemporary Africa to Africans at home and in the diaspora. He was very resourceful in the 2014 edition of the All Africa Awards, AFRIMA, by presenting the first two awards with Davina Green (Zimbabwe) to the winners of best female artiste in Eastern Africa (Vanessa Mdee) and West Africa (Angelique Kidjo) respectively.

Reacting to the death of OJB Jezreel, Project Director, AFRIMA, Ms. Kemi Ashefon said, “All of us at AFRIMA deeply mourn the shocking demise of OJB. He was voice of contemporary Africa, an epitome of hope for many emerging African music artistes. He was one of the renowned music icons that was passionate about the successful fulfilment of the AFRIMA vision.”

Ashefon further bemoaned that OJB has left a huge vacuum in the leadership and mentorship bench of African music. “His demise is a colossal loss to the Africa music space. We are immensely impacted by his devoted and enormous contribution to the growth of Africa contemporary music narratives. He will be sorely missed by all of us in Africa and the world at large. The entire members of the International committee of AFRIMA send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans. We pray that OJB finally rest in peace.”

OJB Jezreel was a prominent tutor, mentor and creative producer of many leading African music artistes. He was the creative force behind the numerous hits of a countless number of artistes, such as Ruggedman, 2Face Idibia, Jazzman Olofin, Nomoreloss to Raskie, K-Show & Six-O, C-mion, Abounce, and the list is endless. OJB honed his singing and song writing skills so much that he became as consummate a music performer as he was a producer.

His doggedness in skills acquisition and personal development in his music craft saw him through the emergence from the back street studios to become a front line music producer with indelible mark in the African music industry.

Sarkodie has something new up his sleeves.

Just when one thought the multiple award winning Ghanaian musician and CEO of SarkCess Music, Michael Owusu Addo well known by his stage name Sarkodie would slow down a bit for his colleagues after the mile he’s gone with his career, the musician has switched the notch up higher by taking to a new direction, a mini movie.

The musician who recently revealed his plans to take over Drake’s home country Canada with a historic concert with American Superstar E-40 will soon release his debut mini movie Bossy.

A creative genius and an individual who loves to test new grounds, Bossy is a mini movie about the hustle of an underground street fight in which Sarkodie wrestles an Asian gang.

Your guess at the winner of the fight could be as good as mine.

Bossy was shot in Atlanta by Ghanaian film maker Julius Twum. Stay glued as we countdown to #Bossy.

The official video for Ohemaa Mercy’s latest single “Wobesan Asore” off her 6^th album “Aforebo” is out.

The video which was directed by Skyweb Production comes with an English subtitle for the musician’s fans who do not understand her native language, Twi.

The video for “Wobesan Asore” is released months after she made public the visuals for her “Aseda” song.

Ohemaa Mercy who recently launched her ministry, Ohemaa Mercy Ministries is preparing to host this year’s edition of Tehillah Experience concert slated for August 7 at the CGC Calvary Temple off Spintex Road in Accra.

Enjoy the video below:

Rapid changes in technology trends are forcing humans to keep up in order to stand the chance of surviving in a competitive world. Technology has, and continues to transform every aspect of our lives – education, governance, business and even personal relationships.

A 27-year-old Ghanaian social entrepreneur, Josephine Marie Godwyll, is empowering children to develop digital solutions to conquer the world. What drives her is the belief that children are the future and the only way to reach their full potential is by bringing out the innate creativity in them, empowering them with Information Communications Technology (ICT) and setting them on to become the digital innovators of the future through consistent nurturing.

Introduced to the computer and its functionalities at an early age of five, Godwyll strongly believes that her interest and ability to creatively utilize digital tools as an engineer were harnessed right from her childhood.

As a young girl, she had the heart to share both knowledge and gifts with friends — visibly aware of the opportunities available to her while growing up. Godwyll wondered why others had little or no access to those same opportunities. She therefore took it upon herself to create opportunities for the benefit of others, or at least prepare her friends to take up opportunities.

Narrating how she got into entrepreneurship, Godwyll said: “The idea came when I partook in the annual rural development and education project organised by the International Movement of Catholic Students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi in 2012.”As part of the education project, she was posted to Bredi; a village in the Atwima Mponua District in the Ashanti region.

“There I came face-to-face with the gap in education between rural and urban areas. It was disheartening when a child saw the picture of a computer system unit and said it was a fridge,” she said. “These are children who will sit for the same exams as those in urban areas. These children are expected to compete with others in our technologically advancing world when they have no idea what the mouse does. There I saw a need and I moved to solve that problem,” she fondly narrated with a broad smile.

Determined to stay true to her words, she embarked on her first outreach programme at Bredi in May 2012 and August 2013 with her dream company ‘Young At Heart Ghana’ (Y@H). “I set up Young At Heart Ghana to empower the next generation of digital innovators. We need digitally empowered Africans to create solutions to the many problems we face,” she says.

Currently, Godwyll runs Y@H with a team of six who all work on part-time basis and funding her company has been a bit of a challenge as most of her financing comes from personal finance, friends and family. “People not believing in your vision, difficulty in accessing finance and the system you are trying to change working against you. These are some of the greatest challenges I faced,” she says.

But despite these staffing and funding challenges, Godwyll believes Y@H is on a course to achieve its objectives. She has successfully embarked on several initiatives such as DigiClubs and #ICTSummerCamp.

“The DigiClubs evolved from our ICT clinics. We have organized over 30 ICT clinics and at these clinics, we give students the opportunity to gain practical lessons in ICT. Now, we’ve formed DigiClubs where instead of our monthly clinics, we have weekly and bi-weekly sessions with students,” she says.

The #ICTSummerCamp which is in its third year brings together volunteers from public and private universities to share intensive practical sessions for students in a selected school over a one-week period.

“Last week, we collaborated with ‘The Akaa Project’ – an NGO which has set up the Asiafo Amanfo Community School and a Community Learning resource centre in the eastern part of Ghana. We worked with about 25 volunteers to provide content and practical ICT sessions to the students of the school,” an excited Godwyll narrated.

She was optimistic that consistency will draw her closer to her ambition of empowering the next generation of digital innovators.

Godwyll’s efforts at championing digital literacy for children in Ghana have been recognized by various organizations — the ‘Future Africa Awards Project’ nominated her as one of the top 50 African young leaders championing change, while the Ghana Institution of Engineers awarded her with the Engineering Excellence Award in 2014.

Also, the Computer Society at her alma mater, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) recognised her as the Icon of Computer Society in 2013 as well as being captured by Nsesa Foundation as a Woman leading STEM education.

In 2015, she was named a co-winner of Digital Change-makers Competition, an initiative by the mobile operator Tigo Ghana and non-profit organisation, Reach for Change to support social entrepreneurs in the West African country who are using technology to improve the lives of children.

“2015 was actually the third time I applied for the Digital Change-makers Competition. The experience has been amazing for me – going through the process right up to the finals has really helped me,” Godwyll said.

Looking ahead, she hopes to launch her new App, AnanseTheTeacher by close of 2016 –the App was inspired by the Kwaku Ananse folktales with its origins from the Ashanti tribe in Ghana. The intriguing stories of Kwaku Ananse resulted in the popular 1990s television show called By the Fire Side. There is hope that this application will help children utilize information communication technology better in studying other subjects in school.

Thanks to her drive to empower children in rural Ghana with information communication technology, she has been selected for 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow in the United States.

To become the champion in empowering digital innovation across the continent, Godwyll wants Ghanaian children to become more than Bill Gates. “We want to them to begin from pioneering solutions in Ghana, then to Africa and conquering the world – we believe we can,” she said.

She was very hopeful that the future is very bright for social entrepreneurship in Ghana saying, “gradually, the youth are developing the spirit of volunteerism and seeking to solve problems in their societies.”

Godwyll succinctly advised Ghanaian youth who want to start their own business to “first learn, then set off to do. Be flexible enough and evolve your idea but stick to the fundamental of the problem you want to solve. And network, network, network and create viable partnerships, because when you get together, you go far.”

By Michael Sarpong Bruce

We have a new awards show and this time around, it’s a make-up award.

Makeup Ghana, organisers of the first ever make-up awards in Ghana is calling for nominations for the inaugural Ghana Makeup Awards event scheduled for this August at the La Palm Royal Hotel in Accra.

Makeup Ghana is organising the first Makeup Awards in Ghana to reward trailblazers and budding talents in the makeup industry in Ghana to celebrate makeup artistes whose contribution to the beauty industry has not yet been recognized as well as the younger generation of makeup artistes who are breaking new grounds and pushing the boundaries in the Makeup profession.

The awards is also to acknowledge the work of the makeup brands, retailers and all other industry players in supporting the makeup artistes to develop the makeup industry in Ghana.

The Ghana Makeup Awards follows prior events organised by Makeup Ghana to create a platform for make-up artistes and makeup brands among others to come together to promote the makeup Industry in Ghana.

Makeup Ghana Connects was organized this March to showcase industry players followed by another stakeholder’s engagement at La Palm to deliberate on issues that will promote the makeup industry in Ghana.

The award is the third installment in the series of events earmarked at promoting and celebrating best practice in the Makeup Industry in Ghana.

Nomination for Award Categories starts on Wednesday June 15^th and ends on Thursday 30^th June 2016.

Nomination format will be Name of Nominee + Category + Short Description of nominee and nominee work.

Three finalists will be shortlisted for each category based on pre-determined criteria done by Board made up of industry experts, patrons, etc.

The shortlisted nominees will be announced at the launch of the Ghana Makeup Awards in July 2016.

The three shortlisted for each category from the shortlisted nominees will continue through to the finals.

Award Categories

1. Makeup Artist of the year
2. Trailblazer
3. Most Glamorous Celebrity
4. Best Beauty/ Makeup Blog
5. Best Beauty/ Makeup Vlog
6. Best TV Makeup
7. Best Special Effects Makeup Artist (Movies/Theatre)
8. Best Editorial Makeup Artist
9. Best Bridal Makeup Artist
10. Makeup/Beauty Brand of the year
11. Best Beauty Retail Shop
12. Best Celebrity Makeup Artist
13. Most promising Makeup Artist
14. Best Makeup /Beauty School
15. Most Promising Ghanaian  Owned  Brand

Follow the awards on Facebook at fb.me/ ghmakeupawards and on Twitter and Instagram @ghmakeupawards. Email us at ghanamakeupawards@gmail.com

Ghana Makeup Awards

At the beginning of June 2016,  MultiChoice Africa launched an open month of  its HISTORY channel (186), to make it available to all DStv Compact and Compact Plus subscribers.

As it made its debut, HISTORY®, DStv channel 186, premiered the highly- anticipated television reboot of the classic series, ROOTS, a four-part, eight-hour series developed by HISTORY.

Roots is based on the best-selling novel by Alex Haley, it recounts the journey of one family’s will to survive, endure, and ultimately carry on their legacy despite enormous hardship and inhumanity. Spanning multiple generations, the lineage begins with young Kunta Kinte, who is captured in his homeland of The Gambia and sold into slavery. Throughout the series, the family continues to face adversity that reveals powerful truths about the universal resilience of the human spirit.

DStv hosted a screening of the movie, for subscribers, media men and women as well as members of the Ghana Film Producers Association and Actors Guild at the Best Western Premier Hotel. At the event was Mrs. Olivia Opoku Adoma, Director for Research, Statistics and Information of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts and Mrs. Georgina Quaisie a representative of the Ghana Education Service.

MultiChoice Ghana PR and Communications Executive Pamela Takyi speaking for the General Manager, Cecil Sunkwa-Mills stated, “ it is essential that we do not forget our past as it directly and indirectly affects us in the present. Roots is a prime example of an epic historical take which deserves to be told to a new generation of global viewers. ROOTS on the HISTORY® channel can now be watched on the Compact bouquet under the open month but only until July 13^th 2016. We understand that people are excited about the story of ‘Kunta Kinte’ a story that resonates with Africans in terms of not only culture but as a part of our history as a continent, and we are delighted to share this experience and entertainment with our subscribers.”

Speaking at the premiere, Mrs. Olivia Opoku Adoma, Director for Research, Statistics and Information of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts encouraged the Producers and industry stakeholders available to make use of Ghana’s tourist attractions during production.

She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to the arts “We are always available to help in anyway especially when it comes to showcasing our rich culture to the rest of Africa and the world”. She invited all to attend the Ghana Carnival scheduled for July 2016.

Guests were treated to an ideal African setting to depict the theme of the movie and entertained by Kacey Moore, former Big Brother Housemate and Poet of Kona Live Fame.

The movie Roots will also be repeated on Lifetime on Sundays at 6pm (from June 19) following its debut on HISTORY.

Starring in the series are Academy Award® winners Forest Whitaker (“Fiddler”) and Anna Paquin (“Nancy Holt”); Academy Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Laurence Fishburne (“Alex Haley”); Golden Globe Award® winning and Emmy Award® nominated actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“Tom Lea”); Tony Award® winner Anika Noni Rose (“Kizzy”); Grammy Award® winner Tip “T.I.” Harris (“Cyrus”); Emayatzy Corinealdi (“Belle”); Matthew Goode (“Dr. William Waller”); Mekhi Phifer (“Jerusalem”); James Purefoy (“John Waller”) and introduces Regé-Jean Page (“Chicken George”) and Malachi Kirby (“Kunta Kinte”), originally played by LeVar Burton who is Co-Executive Producer in the new ‘Roots.’

Organizers of the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Awards, Carbon AV Projects & Events have announced that the first edition of the awards will be hosted by actress and Radio/TV Personality Naa Ashorkor.

The award winning actress will have Nathaniel Attoh as her co-host. The event which coincides with Fathers’ Day weekend is set to award hardworking men who have excelled in various areas such as business, fashion, education, technology and communication.

In an instagram post, the host of “The Zone” on Starr 103.5 fm shared her excitement with her fans as she broke the news. In the post the obviously excited actress said, “This weekend!! I will be your host for the first edition of EMY Awards at the State Banquet Hall alongside my senior man, Nathaniel Attoh! Looking forward to this with glee.”

Well Naa we are also looking forward to this Saturday with glee too.

We have seen all the lovely shades of Naa Ashorkor since her first movie debut in perfect picture, which shade do you love best? It may be hard for you to choose but I bet you will start from the most recent shade she showed us. Yea!! We all loved her on the biggest stage in Ghana during the most anticipated event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar the VGMAs.

Following her awesome delivery at the VGMAs we know that she will definitely bring her a game at the EMYs. There is no denying the fact that Naa Ashorkor is gradually becoming the preferred host choice for big events in Ghana.

The EMY Awards will be held at the Banquet Hall State House, Accra on Saturday June 18, 2016.

Naa Ashorkor

ABN Radio, hosted an array of showbiz celebrities, media practitioners, community leaders, business partners and the clergy to a glittering cocktail evening at the Vanilla 31 Great Titchfield Street LONDON, W1W 5BB on Wednesday 15^th June 2016 from 7pm.

The event was the grand launch of the station’s operation in London. The station is the latest addition to Allied Broadcasting Network, owners of ABN TV, the Favourite Black TV Channel in UK.

Among the array of celebrities present were the sensational X FACTOR duo Reggie and Bollie who have recently launched their single New Girl. The duo won the heart of Africans worldwide when they emerged runners up in the 2015 edition of the widely acclaimed talent show.

Award winning Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson and sensational Afrobeats band The Compozers were present as well as the management team of THE VOICE led by CEO Paulette Simpson.

ABN Radio is a cosmopolitan urban station targeting the new African. With seasoned broadcasting managers and a line up of eclectic new on air talents, ABN radio is poised to deliver unrivalled entertainment, education and information that will attract audiences across a wide cultural divide.

According to the Manager of the station Daniel Dankwah, “ABN Radio is an Afropolitan station that will set new trends and serve both existing and new markets with life changing programs”.

Explaining the station’s Afropolitan imaging, Mr. Dankwah said, “ even though the station is predominantly targeting the African niche in the broadcast market, its programmes come with a cosmopolitan appeal”. He added that the talk aspect of it’s programming will focus on African politics, family life and health. Mr. Dankwah further hinted that ABN Radio would posture as home for contemporary African music with emphasis on Afrobeats and African Gospel. He also indicated that with the brand’s competitive edge, advertisers would receive value for money.

CEO of Allied Broadcasting Mrs. Cynthia Appiagyei reiterated the fact that ABN Radio has been started to replicate the immense success chalked by ABN TV within the past 3 years of existence. Paulette Simpson, CEO of The Voice newspaper lauded the partnership between the two media organizations and stressed the need to shape the Black African narrative through the right media channel. The evening ended with a networking session and great entertainment.

ABN Radio currently broadcast across the UK on Digital Radio (DAB), online and mobile. Listeners can retune their digital radio to receive broadcast signals or they can obtain a DAB adaptor from any high street store to convert DAB signals to FM.

The public can connect with the station on major social media platforms.

Social Media Links

Facebook.com/abnradiouk

Twitter @abnradiouk

Instagram@abnradiouk

Website: www.abnradiouk.com

It is a person’s choice whether or not they want to expose themselves to any type of music considered unsuitable and demeaning. If nobody controls what I stick into my ears, nobody should control who runs the lyrics through a beat.

I believe a government or its policies cannot restrict the way people express themselves through music or any other art. Any such legislation will be both undemocratic and paternalistic. We will be sounding like the IGP on the election-social-media brouhaha.

Censoring our music and matching every song’s lyrics boot-for-boot will, to an extent limit our freedom of speech and suppress creativity.

Apart from that, we cannot pin all the world’s failure on profanity in music – bad music is not the only father of bad deeds. After all, it is the media which should ensure that the songs that end up being played on air are in appropriate forms.

Joey B

So the music pundits can pass Joey B’s ‘Tonga’ through a mill and clothe it with the terms, ‘implicit’, to make it less immoral. That never caused me an embarrassment until a curious child walked up to me and asked, “Sir, what is Tonga?”

And it needn’t be a headache if Shatta Wale released a ‘diss’ song, followed by a remix and a remake, then a refix and a full album with more raunchy lyrics – until my younger sister began to sing along. Then it became a sudden, severe throbbing headache that radiates to the heart.

We could pretend it wasn’t a bother when explicit content filled our songs until we started using the back cover of note books to copy song lyrics to memorise.

We were waiting to queue on November 7 to elect 275 lawmakers until we realised musicians were those writing the laws for society. We may have given those Chinese seats, the V8 vehicles and the allowances to the wrong group of people. We queue to vote once in four year for elect political leaders but we make longer queues every weekend for shows. Some people are taking some people’s places.

Pull up! Pull up! We will settle this.

Sarkodie colonised a section of the masses and named his constituency ‘SarkNation’. Stonebuoy led a group of ‘BhimNation’. The list goes on to include ‘M.anifans’, ‘Tiptoers’, ‘Eliens’, Shatta Movement’, ‘Opanka Army’, ‘Nunatics’ and what have you. A certain new artiste, CJbiggerman even has a fanbase, ‘Biggerfans’. So we have been under their territorialism all this while. These musicians are something else.

It is therefore not unnatural to see MzVee have a bigger social media following than Hanna Tetteh; an indication that one of them commands stronger authority than the other. If it is not the one tip-toing, it certainly isn’t the one representing Awutu-Senya West. Check the list of ‘Most Influential Personalities’, you will see the rappers are topping like icing on cake! Sometime ago, Sarkodie was quoted to have said people listen to him more than the President. All those who chastised him on that comment should send him apologies, so we can make progress.

Because music moves our whole being, it plays a role in setting an alignment of ourselves. Music provides a powerful form of expression that, at its most basic level entertains whiles containing the power to cause revolutions. If we can have a more comprehensive awareness of how our art is making a difference around us, we will cheer on only musicians whose acts impact society positively.

They write the trends of the moment through every strike of the guitar strings. They write the laws that chain us through every beat of the percussions. They change the orders by every word and hum they make. They mount the high stages under strong eye-blinding lights, step a foot on the monitor speakers and make the decrees. And right under their noses is a crowd assenting to bill, in all excitement. And there’s a DJ behind screaming ‘Order!’ to keep the process under control.

Okyeame Kwame performs for New York Times, Rolling Stone

In all styles of music nowadays, there are a plethora of songs with content that glorify sex, drugs, drunkenness, lust, infidelity, cruelty, racism and violence. All we are fed with is negativity, in what is disguised as creativity and versatility.

Man lives for a purpose – to make his life better, to impact others and to serve his creator. But the artiste tells us a successful life is all about getting drunk and making love at the back of a Rolls Royce.  Meanwhile, music is supposed to edify, inspire, heal, educate or entertain at least. As told in the Bible, David sang to cast out demons. But for some of these artistes, their music makes them an outcast or a demon or both.

If these personalities are carriers of influence, then why should we sustain their careers when they are miscarrying our values in broad day light?

The BBC began to heavily enforce censorship in the 1960’s. When the Beatles began experimenting with drugs and showing it in their lyrics, the British Broadcasting Corporation was quick to react to it and banned plenty of songs. Even Lady Gaga’s nightclub hit, ‘Love Game’ was banned on radio for its heavily suggested themes – especially the infamous line, “I want to take a ride on your disco stick”.

Culture and music flow together. Plus we look up to these folks and wire our lives around theirs. Inadvertently we find ourselves imitating their ways of lives. We had our way of speaking the queen’s language, a decent way of dressing and dancing until the musician started writing the laws all over again.

Pappy Kojo at 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards launch

In this universe, effect follows cause. I’ve complained about it but, it looks too late to salvage the damage. It’s like a multisystem organ damage, and we are already running out of organs to fail.

Nowadays the artistes are their own producers, directors and promoters. So players like E.L, Lil Shaker, Richie, Ephraim, Charles Nii Armah and Nacy only need a microphone, mixer, keyboard and a booth to change our lives and transform the country. They don’t even account to the people at the end of the day. They run the show without any scrutiny or control whatsoever. Now, just imagine ‘The Maker’ becoming the law maker.

Putting our song writers and artistes on their toes and keeping the charlatans unheard will be our best shot. We should frown on songs that talk about what is inside a woman’s clothes or what happens inside another person’s closet. Blanking, beeping, re-sampling, skipping, distorting, disc-scratching or refusing to download are censorship tools that can be used on radio for songs flagged inappropriate.

***********************************************************************************************************************

By Patrick Fynn

The writer is the author of the motivational book, ‘You Are On Your Own’. He blogs at patrickfynn.com. You can follow him on Twitter @PatrickFynn

Nominees for this year’s edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) 2016 have been made public.

Nigerian Entertainment Awards, an annual award ceremony with primary objective of recognizing the contributions of Nigerian and African Entertainers.

Ghanaian movie and music stars have penetrated into the awards in the Non Nigerian categories including Majid Michel (The Department), Abraham Attah (Beast of No Nation), Henry Adofo (Freetown), Van Vicker (A Long Night), Chris Attoh (Happiness is a Four letter word) and Nuong Faalong (Freetown).

The rest are Ama K. Abebrese (Beast of No Nation), Nana Mensah (An African City), Yvonne Okoro (Rebecca), Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Bisa Kdei, Efya and MzVee.

The awards is scheduled for 4 September, 2016 in New York City.

Check out the full nominees list for the various categories:

2016 NEA NOMINEES LIST – MUSIC CATEGORIES

Best Album

Y.A.G.I (Lil Kesh)
Applaudise (Iyanya)
Eyan Mayweather (Olamide)
Ghetto University (Runtown)
R.E.D. (Tiwa Savage)
Stories that Touch (Falz)
Seyi or Shay (Seyi Shay)
Mama Africa (Yemi Alade)

Hottest Single

Osinachi (Humblesmith)
Duro (Tekno)
Baba Nla (Wiz Kid)
Lagos Boys (Olamide)
Mama (Kiss Daniel)
Jagaban (Ycee)

Best Song

Pick Up (Adekunle Gold)
Oluwa Ni (Reekado Banks)
Vow (Timi Dakolo)
You Suppose know (Bez)
Type of Woman (Iyanya)
Go On (Niyola)

Afropop Artist

Tekno
Wiz Kid
Tiwa Savage
Kiss Daniel
Chidinma
Davido

R&B Artist

Waje
Niyola
Praiz
Seyi Shay
Dare
Iyanya

Rap Act

Vector
MI
Phyno
Olamide
Reminisce
CDQ

Gospel Artist

Uche Agu
Frank Edward
Nikki Laoye
Sammy Okposo
Obiora Obiwon
Onos Brisibi

Dancehall Artist 

Patoranking
Timaya
Cynthia Morgan
Ceeza
Burna Boy
Ketchup

Indigenous Artist

9ice
Flavour
Tillaman
Jaywon
Olu Maintain
Kcee

Alternative Artist

Temidollface
Bez
Mystro
Brymo
Aramide
Timi Dakolo

Best New Act

Niniola
Ycee
Adekunle Gold
Humblesmith
Mz Kiss
Toby Grey

Most Promising Act to Watch

Shobzy
Mr. Eazi
Teeblaq
Spyz
Terry Apala
Coco Benson

Diaspora Artist

Shiikane
Ayojay
Mr. Eazi
Lioness
Duncan Daniels
Stylezz

Best Collabo

Moniegram (Mr. 2Kay ft. Timaya)
Romantic (Korede Bello ft. Tiwa)
My Woman, My Everything (Patoranking ft Wande Coal)
Yaya Oyoyo (Lil Kesh ft. DaVido)
Reggae Blues (Harry Song ft Others)
Your Number (Ayojay ft. Fetty Wap)
Sekem (MC Galaxy ft Swizz Beats)
Finally (Masterkraft ft. Sarkodie, Flavour)

Best Live Performer

Omawumi
Tuface
Solidstar
Yemi Alade
Dbanj
MC Galaxy

Best Music Video

Emergency (Dbanj Dir. Unlimited LA)
Right Now (Seyi Shay Dir. Meji Alabi)
Condo (Kuammy Dir. Moe Musa)
Karishika (Falz Dir. Aje Films)
Duro (Tekno Dir. Patrick Elis)
If I Start to Talk (Tiwa Dir. CP)
Quality (Pasuma Dir. HG2)
Sisi (Sexy Steel Dir. Chad Tennies)

African Male Artist (Non Nigerian / Africa)

Stonebwoy (GH)
FA (LIB)
Sarkodie (GH)
Sauti Sol (KQ)
Deng (LIB)
Papa Denis (KQ)
Bisa Kdei (GH)
Eric Geso (LIB)

African Female Artist (Non Nigerian / Africa)

Vanessa Mdee (TZ)
Efya (GH)
Lira (SA)
MzVee (GH)
Sheebah Ndiwanjawulo (UG)
Adiouza (SN)
Victoria Kimani (KQ)
Knowless Butera (RW)

Music Producer

DJ Coublon
Masterkraft
Young John
Cobhams
Mystro
Jay Pizzle

2016 NEA NOMINEES LIST – FILM/TV CATEGORIES

Lead Actor in Film

IK Ogbonna (Stop)
Daniel K. Daniel (A Soldier’s Story)
Femi Jacobs (Taxi driver-Oko Ashewo)
Ramsey Nouah (Gbomo Gbomo Express)
Joseph Benjamin (Rebecca)
Julius Agwu (Wives on Strike)

Supporting Actor in Film

Sambasa Nzeribe (A Soldier’s Story)
Hafiz Oyetoro (Taxi Driver-Oko Ashewo)
Desmond Elliot (Falling)
Tope Tedela (Surulere)
Femi Jacobs (The Visit)
Olumide Oworu (A soldier’s story)

Lead Actress in Film

Omoni Oboli (Wives on Strike)

Adesua Etomi (Falling)

Genevieve (Road to Yesterday)

Nse Ikpe-Etim (The Visit)

Belinda Effah (Stop)

Fathia Balogun (Ishanna)

Supporting Actress in Film

Osas Ajibade (Gbomo Gbomo Express)

Chioma Omeruah (Road to Yesterday)

Beverly Naya (Surulere)

Linda Ejiofor (A Soldier’s Story)

Kehinde Bankole (Wives on Strike)

Rita Dominic (Surulere)

Director – Film

Akin Omotoso (Tell me Sweet Something)

Frankie Ogar (A Soldier’s Story)

Ishaya Bako (Road to Yesterday)

Walter Taylaur (Gbomo Gbomo Express)

Niyi Akinmolayan (Falling)

Salisu Balarabe (Dadin Kowa)

Best Picture

A Soldier’s Story

Wives on Strike

Road To Yesterday

Tell Me Sweet Something

Taxi Driver (Oko Ashewo)

Ishanna

Best Short Film

Blood Taxi (Folasakin Iwajomo)

Hell Or High Water (Oluseyi Amuwa)

Good People Dead (Nodash)

The Encounter (Tolu Ajayi)

Child Soldier (Folasakin Iwajomo)

Brave (Lowla-Dee)

Best Actor – TV

Basorge Tariah Jnr (Do Good)

Folarin Falana (Jenifa’s Diary)

RMD (Hush)

Keppy Ekpeyong (Festac Town)

OC Ukeje (Before 30)

Kelechi Udegbe (Officer Titus)

Best Actress – TV

Ini Edo (Desperate House girls)

Kate Henshaw (Do Good)

Funke Akindele (Jenifa’s Diary)

Beverly Naya (Before 30)

Oge Okoye (Festac Town)

Abimbola Craig (Skinny Girl in Transit)

Best TV Show

Festac Town

Baby’s Daddy

Jenifa’s Diary

Skinny Girl in Transit

Officer Titus

Do Good

Africa (Non Nigerian) Best Actor

Majid Michel (The Department)

Abraham Attah (Beast of No Nation)

Idris Elba (Beast of No Nation)

Henry Adofo (Freetown)

Van Vicker (A Long Night)

Chris Attoh (Happiness is a Four letter word)

Africa (Non Nigerian) Best Actress

Fulu Mugovhani (Ayanda)

Nuong Faalong (Freetown)

Ama K. Abebrese (Beast of No Nation)

Nana Mensah (An African City)

Yvonne Okoro (Rebecca)

Faridah F. Kuteesa (House Arrest)

Africa (Non Nigerian) Best Picture

Freetown

Ayanda

Beast of No Nation

Silverain

House Arrest

Rebecca

2016 NEA NOMINEES LIST – OTHER CATEGORIES

Male Disc Jockey

DJ TTB

DJ Kelvin (PH)

DJ Enimoney

DJ Vinnie

DJ Tunez

DJ Gavpop

Female Disc Jockey

DJ Lambo

DJ Mystelle

DJ Nana

DJ Sensei Lo

DJ Switch

DJ Soupamodel

Disc Jockey Collabo

DJ Shabsy ft. Kiss Daniel – Raba

DJ Kaywise ft. Oritsefemi – Warn Dem

DJ Xclusive ft Cassper Nyovest, Sakordie, Anatii & Banky W.

DJ Spinall ft. Yemi Alade – Pepe Dem

DJ Jimmy Jatt ft Wizkid – Feeling The Beat

DJ Kentalky ft. Lil Kesh – Blessings

African (Non Nigerian) Disc Jockey

DJ Lebbie (SL)

DJ Bossman (LIB)

DJ Mensah (GH)

DJ Joe Mfalme (KQ)

DJ Slick Stuart & Roja (UG)

DJ Vyrusky (GH)

Music Executive

Don Jazzy (Mavin)

Ubi Franklin (MMMG)

E-MONEY – FIVE STAR

Ossy Chiori (Achievas)

Steve Baba Eko (Xtreme)

Okwudili Umenyiora (Eric Manny)

Radio OAP

Teddy Don-Momoh (Star FM)

Tisan (Raypower)

Toke Makinwa (Rhythm)

N6 (Cool FM)

Ushbebe (Naija FM)

Igos (Wazobia)

TV Presenter (Lifestyle)

Eku Edewor (53 Extra)

Ehiz (MTV)

Bolanle Olukanni (EL)

Adams (Soundcity)

Daala (Ovation)

Nansy Isime (Hip TV)

Comedy Act

I Go Die

Akpororo

Seyi Law

Ushbebe

AY

Basketmouth

Fashion Model

Akpede Oghenekevwe
Mayowa Nicholas
Ndigwe Victor
Uju Marshall
Akomaye Kwen
Opeyemi Awoyemi

Best Online Comedy Act

Craze Clown
Emmanuella
Chief Obi
Iya Ibadan
Foxy P
Wowo Boyz

Business consultant and politician, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom has been crowned the Ultimate Man of the Year at the maiden edition of the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Awards.

The CEO of Group Nduom won the ultimate award in the male division at the awards instituted to recognize, reward and inspire greatness in honouring and celebrating men of excellence.

The award also encourages leadership skills for achievement as well as challenge the youth to aspire to greatness.

Kwesi Nduom won in the competitive category that comprised Dr Kwabena Duffour, CEO of Hoda Group, Osei Kwame Despite, CEO of Despite Group Of Companies and Togbe Afede XIV– Asogli State Council President/SAS Group Of Companies.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe of the Breast Care International won the ultimate Woman of the Year award ahead of Gifty Afenyi Dadzie of Women Aglow International, Dr Joyce R. Aryee of Salt & Light Ministries and Mrs Elizabeth Joyce Villas of Camelot Ghana Ltd.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom

The maiden edition of the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Awards which was also the Ghana edition was held at the Banquet Hall, State House, on Saturday June 18, 2016.

The award was put together by Exclusive Men’s Magazine, Carbon AV and Mediaspace Cyber Media.

By GhanaGist.Com

2012 BET Awards co-winner is still winning!

Sarkodie has picked up the Entertainer of the Year award at the maiden edition of the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Award held at the State Banquet Hall on Saturday, June 18, 2016.

With vote percentages of 60 from the general public and 40 from the Faculty of the awards, Sarkodie managed to scoop home the Entertainer of the Year.

He beat other musician Charles Nii Armah Mensah, known in music circles as Shatta Wale, E.L, born Elorm Adablah, poet Chief Moomen, Adjetey Anang and Richard Asante, popularly known as Kalybos.

The award was picked on his behalf by his Disc Jockey, DJ Mensa who thanked the organisers. He said Sarkodie wishes to dedicate the award to his new born baby girl.

EMY Awards, an initiative of the Exclusive Men Magazine was organized by Carbon AV and hosted by Naa Ashorkor and Nathaniel Attoh with performances from singer Yaa Yaa and saxophonist, Steve Bedi.

By GhanaGist.Com

The Accra Symphony Orchestra’s presents the music concert, “ACCRA GOES TO THE OPERA”. This will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday 9^th July 2016 at 7.30pm.

The Accra Symphony Orchestra has become a force to reckon with as one of the best Classical Music Ensembles in Africa. Created in 2012, as the brainchild of Dr. Mensa Otabil, the Accra Symphony Orchestra was primarily an instrumental ensemble.

With the addition of the operatic voices, LUMINA in 2014, the Accra Symphony Orchestra is poised to pioneer a classical and operatic musical renaissance in Africa.

The Orchestra has a vast repertoire of opera, operative pop and classical music from all world cultures.

On the 9^th of July, the Accra Symphony Orchestra and its stunning vocal section, LUMINA, will thrill patrons at the Conference Centre with an electrifying performance ranging from Carl Orff’s” O Fortuna” of Camina Burana, selection of classics from The Soundz of Music and the music of African giants, Manu Dibango of Cameroon, Osibisa of Ghana and Fela Ransome Kuti of Nigeria.

Accra goes to the opera, a groundbreaking concert not to be missed.

The second edition of the Golden Movie Awards Africa (GMAA) scheduled for Saturday June 25, 2016 at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.

Ahead of the big day, we present to you, the first batch of award presenters on the night in no particular order.

The list includes Jocelyn Dumas, Uti Nwachukwu, Miss Adjei, Blossom Chuwujekwu, Nana Akua Addo, Gbenro Ajibade, Michelle Attoh, Emmanuel Ikubese, Kafui Danku and OC Ukeje.

GMAA aimed at projecting the narrative of Africa through film. This year’s awards gets bigger and better as most movie producers and directors on the continent will grace the occasion.

A night of glitz and glamour wouldn’t be complete without excitement that is why we have assembled your crème de la crème celebrities to do us the honour of presenting awards to deserving winners.

Joselyn Dumas

Most people see her as a fashion icon, red carpet diva, celebrity, model, influencer, multiple brand ambassadors etc.

For some she is a role model whose work has become a source of inspiration. Recently, Victoria Michaels stunned in this photo shoot with different looks. Her style is unique and every picture gives us an evolving perspective of her. This is why we want to delve a bit more into her personality.

Top model extraordinaire, she is definitely your true definition of beauty and brain combined, multitalented, savvy, bright and focused; she parlays a background as a beauty pageant and an exceptional runway/commercial model.

A Social Change Advocate, Victoria’s passion for Women and Children Education led to the establishment of the Victoria Michaels Foundation, a nonprofit organization seeking to empower women and less privileged children across Ghana to discover their potentials and deploy it for greater society use. She hopes to make the foundation’s work an African wide project by 2017.

Victoria’s inspiring leadership has also led to the creation of The Africa Literacy Development Initiative (ALDI), a Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) educational empowerment project for rural and underserved schools in Ghana and other parts of Africa.

International Model Victoria Michaels has been featured on major publications like CANOE, Vogue Italia, O Yes!, Enjoy and Mirror; Groomed by the legendary Kofi Ansah of blessed memory.

Multiple awards winning Victoria Michaels is known to take up leading modeling roles both on the runway and as a one of the most sought after brand ambassador for leading businesses in Ghana.

Lead commercial model for Woodin, face of Bela-Aqua mineral water, Brand Ambassador for the MELCOM Group- Ghana biggest retail chain, she has played major role in commercials for Hertz Rent-a-Car, Da-Viva, Nescafe, Major online Campaign for Vodafone alongside international acts Dbanj and Sarkodie, Face of Ariel Haven’s Spa, Ambassador of SAGE, a nonprofit organization aimed at empowering high school students across the globe. She was chosen by the British Council as one of two representatives of Ghana at the All African Youth Summit in Johannesburg South Africa.

Victoria began her career at the age of 19 when she won as a first Runner up for the Miss Francophone Ghana Beauty Pageant. Participated as a runway model in AU Summit GOLD Show, BBC Fashion Show, Dubai Fashion Week, Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, FAME Nigeria, FIMA International Fashion Show, Dark & Lovely Fashion Show.

Victoria has also been invited as guest to some of the prestigious fashion show in the globe including the London and Paris Fashion Weeks. She was awarded the first Angel of hope award at the Ovation carol night where she was honoured side by side with the former president of Ghana Dr Jerry Rawlings and her mentor Mr. Kofi Ansah who was honored post -humorously.

She backs all these achievements with a solid academic background in Business Management and Communication as she holds a Diploma in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Central University Ghana.

A communicator par excellence, she leverages on a multifaceted experience gained from practice in PR, Marketing/Brand Communication and Banking. A passionate entrepreneur, Victoria has used her management skills to run the successful VM Consult, a company she founded a few years ago.

Glam Team

Photo credit – Tope Horpload

Make up – Bimpe Onakoya

Stylist – Jidereason

Hair stylist – Bernard Smiles

The maiden edition of the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Awards was held on Saturday June 18, 2016 at the Banquet Hall, State House, Accra.

EMY Awards was organized by Exclusive Men’s Magazine, Carbon AV and Mediaspace Cyber Media to honour and celebrate men of excellence and also to encourage leadership skills for achievement as well as challenge the youth to aspire to greatness.

Men who have excelled in their fields of endeavours in business, fashion, education, technology and communication were awarded on the night.

The event was hosted by Naa Ashorkor and Nathaniel Attoh with entertainment provided by Yaa Yaa, Steve Bedi and Paapa Yankson.

Dr Kwabena Duffour of Hoda Group

Below is the full list of winners:

Discovery Man Of The Year: Derry Dean Dadzie – Dreamoval Ltd

Man Of The Year Governance: Dr Kwabena Duffour- Hoda Group

Mentorship/Guardian Award Of The Year: Uncle Ebo Whyte- Roverman Productions

Humanitarian Award: Rev Steve Mensah- General Overseer, Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry

Agric Man Of The Year: Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka – Kristo Asafo

Communication Man Of The Year:  Kwami Sefa Kayi and Kwabena Anokye Adisi- Bola Ray

Business Man Of The Year: Dr Osei Kwame Despite – Despite Group Of Companies

Technology Man Of The Year: Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka – Kristo Asafo

Expat Award:  Bhugwan Khubchandani – Melcom Group

Sportsman Of The Year: Asamaoh Gyan – Football

Man Of The Year – Style: Nana Asante Bedietuo

Entertainer Of The Year: Micheal Owusu (Sarkodie) – Music

Ultimate Woman Of The Year: Dr. Beatrice Wiafe- Breast Care International

Ultimate Man Of The Year: Paa Kwasi Nduom – Group Nduom
By GhanaGist.Com

We concur that; Rev. Counsellor Cyril George Carstensen Lutterodt is just a talkative who knows how and what to say to get everyone talking.

Lately, he’s been trending and everything he says makes the headlines. He has become a regular face on various shows on television to discuss issues concerning relationships.

Some of his utterances are misleading and misguided – at least, that’s views expressed by many but he obviously doesn’t give a hoot.

An example of his utterances …

“Dating more men is capacity building… when you are dating a man, he doesn’t pick you from home; he doesn’t pick you from the office because he’s seeking for demographic data of you. He can’t use your picture as his ‘dp’ [display picture]. That is an insult. It is impersonation and he’s blocking your chances of meeting prominent people. That is why a promise ring is a curse,” he was quoted to have said on Hitz FM’s Showbiz Filla.

Away from all that, Counsellor George Lutterodt as he is often called appears to have something for dancing – off the beat kind of.

Counsellor George Lutterodt

GhanaGist.Com captured him dancing his heart out at the maiden edition of the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Awards held on Saturday June 18, 2016 at the Banquet Hall, State House in a manner that captured the attention of everyone who cared enough to steal a glimpse at perhaps his 16th century dance moves.

He can TALK but do you think he can DANCE too? Watch the video and decide!

By GhanaGist.Com