AND SOME FASHION!

Kencar, a US based company which specializes in modeling, advertisement, and public relations, in other parts of the world, including the Caribbean, have officially settled in Ghana as well, with the launch of their latest fashion magazine.

The Launch took place at Zanzibar restaurant, with the support of fashion-lovers, media, and friends. The night was a night for celebrating Ghanaian fashion like never before and featured up and coming designers, whose works were awesome. The House of ZInzi displayed remarkably artistic bridal wear, and the night progressed to casual, trendy and classy couture by the other designers showcased.

The CEO and Chairman, Mr. Enoch Agyeman and Mr. Ashuk, have high plans for fashion in Ghana. Work is going to be aimed at training and grooming Ghanaian models for the international stage. Thus, a fashion reality TV show, Next Supermodel West Africa, which would be covering Ghana, Nigeria and Benin, would be on screens in December. This show is going to be drawn from America’s Next Top Model. Also, Kencar is organizing an Accra Fashion Week, a big fashion fiesta which would be featuring Eva and Takora from Next Top Model. This fashion fiesta would be held nowhere else but at Fiesta Royale on the 21^st and 22^nd of October.

So fashion-lovers, get your plates and cutlery and eat your heart out!

LAUNCH OF THE ME COLLECTION AT CITIZEN KOFI

AfroModTrends launched their very first collection, the Me collection which drew quite a number of powerful faces around, including Kofi Amoah, Kofi Ansah, Naa Ashorkor, and a classy clientele. What does that tell you about the line? It was unique!

Exploring creative ways of playing with beads and buttons, the Me collection is an apt description of the personality of the designer; simple lines, unfussy yet chic, classy but sexy and definitely worth a second look. The collection is made up of 3 mini collections named after the personalization of the primo components of buttons, beads and patchwork, hence, the names ButtonMe, BeadMe and PatchMe. These components are everyday design materials that AMT has focused on to become the hallmark of its designs.

AfroModTrends focuses on ready-to-wear and bespoke outfits. There are no over –elaborate cuts or avant-garde styles but only appealing clean lines with the appropriate finish and finesse. This helps achieve its everyday chic sophistication.

There were a few hitches such as the clothes designed being made before models were found for them, instead of the clothes being made for the models. So there were problems such as the clothes being a bit big and not fitting properly on some of the models.

The line is great and is definitely a must-buy!

TREY SONGZ LIVE IN GHANA!

This year is definitely the year for cool and sexy rhythm and blues for Ghanaian stages. Following the aftermath of Mario’s shirt-off, winding, and girl-screaming performance last month, Trey Songz landed this month to show his screaming fans that he is everything they see on screens and much more. And if there wasn’t the ever-present bevy of girls clawing the edges of the stage at the Dome, struggling to get a piece of that sexy meat, Trey may as well have kissed his career a smacking goodbye!

In an army blazer, a long-sleeved fitting grey wool shirt and sagging jeans he commenced to assure his screaming fans that “I invented sex” in a sweet and smooth play of tenor and moaning. The girls had no problem swallowing that exaggerated confession. “I need a girl”, “Can’t help but wait”, “Say Ahh,” “Already Taken”, “Keyz”, “Over (no frigging tags)” and hit song “Successful” , followed and had everyone on their feet, or standing on their chairs for a chance to see the African-American connecting with his people from his motherland and lost origins.

But Trey did not use his period on stage only to sing but also talked to his screaming fans. He advised  that “nobody can stop you from doing what you want to do” after pointing out that he’s has made it all the way out here in Africa performing on stage, after his very humble beginnings in the small town of Petersburg in Virginia. A journey which took about six years. But the cute female-hypnotist would not be complete if he did not announce his single status to the storm of hungry, hormone-driven females in the Dome that fateful night. The roar of joy was deafening and one could scoop out the hope that soared in the air as girls saw their chances to ensnare Trey Songz. Trey called for the intelligent women in the house, and informed his audience that “it takes more than beauty to win a real man, you dig?” and groaned that “I don’t wanna be a player no more”. He then proceeded to undertake some serious ad-libbing, supported by his great band, taking his audience on a journey to the different magical notes his voice could reach. The ad-libbing went to higher levels when he began to sing other people songs: Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love the way you lie”, heating things up with Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation” and Ginuwine’s “Pony” and becoming emotional with his very own “Can’t be friends”. Trey then finished this ad-libbing off quite dramatically with his head down and hands on his eyes to give his audience the impression that he was as moved as they were. Boy, what an emotional party!

But Trey was not done driving his audience to crazy bits. He went off stage, for a spell, to put on even more sexy gloves, and his next set of songs heightened the sexual tension in that huge dome.  The Trey-induced Global warming rendered the air conditioners up in there very useless. He proceeded to welcome his audience to “super-duper Jupiter love”, assuring his girl fans that “your body’s talking and I’m loving what she says”. Singing “Feeling Myself”, he mentioned again that he “ain’t no player, just a young man whose hot and body’s full of love” and raised hopes once again when crooned that “don’t ever think you ain’t got a chance/ cause if I see you and I like/ you coming with me tonight.’ That absolutely did not help the crowd pushing, pulling and fighting near the stage to increase their chances to  be seen “and liked and taken home that night”. “Holla if you need me” was definitely not left out. This selection of bump n grind was accompanied by Trey teasing his female fans, slowly taking his shirt off and slipping his hands a short way down his pants. How much crazier did he want to drive these people?

Ghanaians definitely had a blast that night despite the numerous problems. Men who brought their women were most probably ignored! But hey, it could have worked the other way round, right? It is definitely a great thing that Ghana is fast becoming the destination for these African-American achievers who pick our country in a bid to find their roots and bring Hollywood closer to us. Our only hope is that through them, Ghana’s voice would also reach their borders.

Trey Songz tweeted, "Just touched back down in America. Ghana was so good to me! Thank you so much for your love. Will not be my last time"

020LIVE CONCERT: SUCCESS OR FIASCO?

Vodafone definitely intended to take Ghana by storm with the 020live concert which took place at the Dome on Founders’ Day. But it did and it didn’t. Performers on the bill were definitely star quality: Dbanj, Wande Coal, Five Five Dr. Cryme, VIP, R2bees, Stay J, Vodafone’s RnM, and of course, Trey Songz. The MCs of the night were Eddy Blay and Amber Rose.

Amber Rose doing the Azonto

The Dome was already filled to its high brim by 6pm; a boast for the organizers but an unexplained punishment for the eager audience who had to wait about 4 hours before the show started. A round of hyping the audience by the DJ provided a good but long prelude before the MCs came on stage. Eddy Blay and Amber Rose finally appeared on stage to commence the night. Amber Rose looked breathtaking in the Ghanaian Afrocentric fashions she was clothed in. Her body just had the men by their necks. Unfortunately, it would have been very helpful if the organizers made it clearer to the people that she was only there to model our fashions and not MC, or at least, she should have perused the program before coming on stage! Beautiful woman and all, with two MCs on Stage, we do not need one repeating everything the other says. We just heard what Eddy Blay just said okay! Oh and don’t just stand there looking lost, sweetheart.

Eddy and Amber

Five Five opened the doors with their hit songs including “Mugyebaya”. Dr. Cryme opened his first show with a marching band, complete with drums and trumpets. Talk about a perfect way to begin your performance! He had his fans roaring. However, after the first song was performed, the marching band was still on stage, and looking quite useless. A crowd of men waiting for their leader to finish performing so they could march off the stage. Dr. Cryme’s performance was not so stellar after all, with problems of a not-so-smooth voice. Some artists sung with their voices and no miming over their CDs . This did not help some of the artists, Dr Cryme involved!

Dbanj, recently signed on to Kanye’s record label, GOOD Music, came on with heavy swag ushered on to the stage not only by his entourage of supporting singers but with love from his Ghanaian fans. His voice was off in the beginning, but it picked up. Songs like, “Scapegoat”, “You Bad” with Wande Coal, “Give it to me” with Prince “Mr. Endowed” and “Oliver Twist” turned the Dome into a popping club. In his search for his “Coconettes” to give “Cocomobiles”, Dbanj got some girls up on that stage to have a feel of him and let the audience have a feel of them too. Dbanj went off stage only to surprise the audience with yet another performance after Wande Coal and R2bees, and VIP performed. He truly showed why he is one of the fastest rising African stars who is making his voice heard far beyond the borders of Africa.

Ghana’s own VIP’s stellar performance deserved the resounding applause they got. They did new and went old school, which just typified the swagilicious style of VIP. Songs like “Besin” brought back the first hit days so much to the audience there was so much screaming and sing-along. And the new: “Change Position”, “Away” and several others. There is a reason why VIP, despite the increasing competition, has remained Top Dog. Friction, who was once a member of VIP, was pulled on stage by his former buddies, to perform with them once again, just like in the old days.

Ghana’s own Destiny’s Child hit their biggest stage that night so far since their win as the Vodafone Icons. RnM came on stage performing their single which has already hit the airwaves, "Let your hair down" and treated their audience with other songs they are compiling for their album. Their first appearance on stage raised shouts of “Ei!” Which Ghanaian female artistes have ever come on stage carried by big, buff guys? However, it seemed the crowd’s mesmerized silence was not in awe of their songs which are different, but in seeing, first of all, a girl group, and secondly, perform so differently from what they are used to. Their formation dances were definitely a reminder of something very western but was quite shaky. You could see their lips moving as they quietly talked to one another to move in step, and there was constant looking down or at themselves instead of their audience. But, congratulations on a good first job!

A crowded night like that would not have been complete without controversy. R2bees did not come on stage when they were introduced by Eddy Blay, which leads us to assume they did not come early. Apparently, they came later but were not going to be given their turn again, however, there was no way they were going to miss this golden opportunity to sing to their fans! They came on stage with Wande Coal to their collaboration, "Kiss your hand", and announced to their fans that “We came early but they did not want us to perform”. Hmmmm

A crowd would always draw rowdiness and quite a number of fist fights took place. Pickpockets had a field day with the number of phones and purses that were stolen.

Unfortunately, this problem of GMT (Ghana Man Time) would probably be the hugest pitfall of the otherwise remarkable concert. It seemed the organizers adamantly wanted to refuse attempted progress from this problem of time which is a Ghanaian problem. So they decided to go overboard and start the program about three hours later than the stated time. And later, it seemed the organizers wanted to give the audience a chance to bond with themselves, so they put their very faithful audience in darkness, with no music at least to fill the vacuum, for about 40 minutes, as the stage was prepared for Trey Songz! Talk about a perfect dumper to happy spirits! Though Trey Songz’ performance was great, he did not have the chance to complete his selections before people started to leave. It was just too late, and waiting, too long and tiring! However, Trey tweeted, "Although at no fault of mine, I wanna apologize 4 goin on stage 2hrs late & thank thank thank u all 4 stayin!!! Ears still ringin!!! "       

But then, perfection is a rarity in human dealings, thus, Vodafone still deserves a snapping of fingers for their efforts. It was worth seeing Amber try to do the azonto and people were standing on their chairs throughout the night. Great work done!

TROTRO

Public Transport, affectionately or derivatively called ‘Trotro”, is a huge part of every Ghanaian’s life, and this play titled “Trotro” did a fantastic job in bringing this to the stage. The play established powerful, subliminal messages of the power in unity of all Ghanaians no matter which section of the social stratum they belonged to. 

Laughter was the order of each night this play was performed, the comedic characters were not laughed at simply because of their comedic acting but also the niggling truth that everyone recognized the various characters in reality: the frustrated trotro owner who is not reaping his benefits the lazy trotro driver who over speeds, drinks before driving, and cheats on his wife, the very lazy mate who cannot wait to get his driver’s “Lasince” (Licence) so he too could become the driver, the orange seller (as well as a female Casanova to the ‘mates’ or ‘aplank3s’ around), the stutterer whose every word requires something of a Harlem Shake, the ‘too known’ teenage girl with popping gum, a short skirt and stunners, the know-it-all University graduate who cannot help but show off his knowledge of laws and intellect to a very uninterested audience, a nurse, a fitter who constantly corrects his fellow passengers that he is a an “automobile mechanic”, the fish seller who stinks up the whole trotro, the corrupt policeman who stops cars only to collect ‘tsoboe’ and finally, the Trotro driver’s girlfriend who has the special front seat.

The typical issues are brought to the fore and that made the audience even more rowdy with helpless laughter: very worn out and plastered money no one wanted, people wanting to cross the queue, money that was ‘too big’ to find change for so raised a verbal argument between the mate and the passenger, front seat saved for the driver’s girlfriend, mischievous men pushing their waists very close to the well-endowed behind of the woman in front of them in queues. People fell off their chairs in laughter as they recognized each of these issues in their daily lives. Direct translations from Twi to English, such as, “Remove your eye from my eye” and supposedly ‘affectionate’ pet names like “Adwoa Commando”, and a funny gimmicks like “Haala il a” were just the delicious icing on top of cake.

Despite all the hilarity, one could not mistake the strong undertones of important advice to us, as Ghanaians. Occupations like the nurse, and the University graduate pushed their noses up at the other ‘lower’ occupations such as the fish seller and the fitter, including the trotro driver and his mate. However, there was the constant admonishment such as “Why? Don’t you people eat fish?” from the fish seller, and. “The way you also take care of sick people, I also take care of sick cars,” says the mechanic. These messages definitely implied that every occupation was important to the growth of our economy. There was a heavily symbolic scene when the trotro’s weak engine finally refused to start and required the joint efforts of the people in the trotro to push it. One man could not push the trotro alone. All the people, from different walks of life, had to stop bickering at each other and unite in their efforts to push the trotro forward in order for it to start and take them to their various destinations. It is needless to say, the weak, sputtering, problematic trotro was heavily representative of our economy. To start the engine, keep it running, and provide the first spark of growth and development of our beloved nation, Ghana, requires a suspension of division and a unity of efforts. What better, creative way to say this tired, ignored advice than through sharing it in a trotro experience?

This play written by Sackey Sowah, and directed by Daphnies Selasi, was staged at the Efua Sutherland Drama Studio at the University of Ghana was definitely a must-see.

Kudos to all behind this production and may they take it further!

ADAMS' APPLES, CHAPTER 4

The tale goes on this September at the Silverbird Cinema. This time, Shirley gives the inside stories of the controversial Adams’ women and the characters that revolve around them. There is more explanation of emotions rather than drama which made it a bit dull for its audience at the premier but for the good of all, everyone understands the characters much better!

Gerald is in a coma after his terrible accident and Ivy is in a serious emotional fix, knowing she probably was the trigger to the accident. Much of the chapter is spent by Ivy in the hospital by her boyfriend’s side, who ends up losing his memory in his terrible accident (whose graphics Shirley pulled off quite well).

Mrs. Adams has succeeded in establishing a tentative mother-son relationship with Albert and is exceedingly happy when he calls on her, and nobody else, to share his problems about his young daughter. He calls on her yet again, when his heart begins to beat in the name of love for the young, pretty lawyer, Michelle, who was a part of the scam that took his parents’ land away from him and then brought it back. It looks like Albert made a huge mistake doing that because it just drives his mother to ask the lawyer to stay away from a relationship that could have been one of the best things that would have happened to him.

Jennifer, after numerous unanswered calls, finds out the hard way through her archenemy, Ivy, that her lustful self had been seriously duped by a man many years younger than she was. What is really interesting to note in this scene is that Jennifer looks much more hurt than angry. She looks quite bruised – so much that it culminates in her getting wasted in a bar. Could she have crossed the borders from a strictly sex diet to wanting more of an emotional dessert to top it up? But, hey presto! Yet another shiny Prince appears to save the day. But instead of the tall, dark Prince from the Land of Far, Far Away who would fulfill every woman’s love needs, there is a light-skinned, though tall and well-built, psychologist who it seems would not be fulfilling love but sex-starved needs where Jennifer is concerned. Let us all raise our glasses to yet another saved disaster story!

Baaba and Chris cannot seem to get their hands off each other when the opportunity presents itself. Despite her fear-driven desperation to divorce Chris, the two yield uncontrollably to the the greater force of lust brewing in their bodies and almost have sex once again after a staged run-in. Baaba just had to run in on Chris stepping out of the bathroom with nothing more than a towel. And he just had to have water glistening off his body,with slick, shiny hair too! Which recent ex could resist that? These two seem to have serious sexual attraction to each other. And just when it seems like everything is going to be all rosy and filled with sunshine (not just in bed, but their marriage, thank goodness!) the story is given yet another twist. All cannot be rosy in the Adams’ land. Chris' paramour is pregnant and is intent on getting Chris involved. Meanwhile, Baaba’s ex, Eric is back!

Kuks seems to have put Chidi behind her back just a day after another round of uncontrollable sex. She has noticed Denu’s sudden attentions and is reveling in it quite deliciously. And it just so happens, there’s a huge workload Denu wants to share with her during lunch. Kuks’ car also seems to be part of the plan to throw the two together when it simply refused to start, and who should be the Prince in shining armour who would sweep her away in his shiny Escalade? A million bucks for the first guess…Denu! It seemed the chemistry that was dulled by Denu’s discovery of another beautiful woman (driven by Kuks’ unexplained snubs, if I may add) was certainly sparked sizzling hot. Unfortunately, no fireworks occurred in any bedroom, or in the car  (if Denu had been sharper), because Kuks’ guilt caught up with her in the form of Chidi’s watch which he left in her house. Talk about the perfect way to ruin a great date! Definitely a huge bummer for Denu and Kuks supporters. Instead Denu found himself seeking solace in the arms of the good woman he had snubbed earlier because of Kuks. 

Shirley portrays all her women as go-getters; individual women with power and respect. And most of the time, it is the women who do the chasing; Jennifer, Linda, Aseye . They, and not the men, ask for kisses and sex as plain as the words go. Shirley also takes quite the daring step in bringing issues like masturbation and female orgasms, which Ghanaians would typically like to lock up in a closet and have the key thrown away. One scene finds all the Adams’ women talking about having orgasms, and the difficulty of females experiencing them. Linda is beat up by her man when she sneaks to masturbate in the bathroom after sex where she failed yet again to orgasm. Questions arise whether it is truly authentic for daughters to talk with their mother about orgasms. It is kind of rare in our societies. Perhaps, Shirley is sending a message: the more we can talk about it, with our mothers especially, the more help women can have with sexual problems and be supported!

There was some comic relief. “Ma, Ma, aponkye no wuu oo” (the goat is giving birth), created quite a frenzy of laughter in the Cinema, as well as harsh but true comments passed by Jennifer.

However, there were a few drawbacks where the acting was concerned. The scene with Mrs. Adams and her old auntie was a bit too stilted with one-line answers, and both characters seemed to be waiting for their turn to speak like in a primary 6 play. But as a very wise person once said, “Nothing can be perfect in this world”, and thank goodness for that!

Chapter 5 premiers in October 2011

CLUB MISS TOURISM GHANA 2011

Beauty, tourism, and education was definitely in the air at the National Theatre on the 17th of September where the third edition of Club Miss Tourism Ghana was held. After a three week camp in the Crown Apartamento Hotel, during which the contestants were treated to a completely new experience, that was not just about fraternizing with other girls, or finding out more reasons to be vain, but learning and actually having to care about the our natural resources and everything that has to do with protecting and packaging them appropriately for tourism.

Club Miss Tourism Ghana stands out in that it seeks not just beauty but also to find youthful ambassadors to create awareness of the needs of the tourism industry, and to also awaken in the authorities: the municipalities, district assemblies, NGO, etc, to act as a matter of priority, in involving the youth in developing the existing and prospective tourism potentials in their localities. It is also to cause awakening everywhere that there is in every locality what it takes for—

. Conservation of biodiversity,

. Job creation within the locality, thus alleviating poverty

. Building a self-reliant economy within the community, and

. The generation of foreign income earning, even from the locality.

Areas which will help improve the living standards of the people and offer a helping hand to the government’s policy of creating a better Ghana, through the growth agenda.

Quite a number of important personalities were present to add glamour to the event: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Akua Sena Dansua, and the Zimbabwean High Commissioner, Mrs Pavelyn Tenclai Musaka, as well as Nana Obesebea Gyanwa I (Abontedom hemea of Aburi), Nana Achia Kofi Ababio (Nsaakrahene).

The night began with a wonderful choreography to Lynx Entertainment’s rendition of “Yen Ara Asaase Ni”, quite appropriate to the theme of the event. The ten contestants were then officially outdoored to their audience:

Jennifer Annan Akun (Upper West Region), Evelyn Naa Ababio (Greater Accra Region), Michaella Araba Etwire (Western Region), Golda Aba Dayi (Central Region), Patience Avorgbedor (Northern Region), Evelyn Enyonam Hadzor (Volta Region), Emefa Akosua Adeti (Upper East Region), Priscilla Asare (Eastern Region), Sandra Dankwah (Ashanti Region) and Ida Seidu (Brong Ahafo Region).

The night saw the girls displaying their talents in various ways from acting to drumming to themes such as: keeping our environment clean, protecting our natural resources and the evils of sex tourism. The girls had their excited audience cheering them at every step. After the worthy talent show, was the all-important regional presentation in which the girls dressed up in the cultural garbs of their regions and told their audience exactly why their regions were the best regions in Ghana. This session looked as though it could have used more rehearsal. To show the girls were not just brains, and caring citizens of our Motherland, Ghana, their exquisite beauty was quite the sight coupled with the great designs in a DaViva Fashion show and an evening wear release by the House of Micky.

The tension began to heat up the air-conditioned hall of the National Theatre when judges began to cut down the Ten to a competitive Five. The following made it to the next level: Evelyn Enyonam Hadzor (Volta Region), Golda Aba Dayi ( Central Region), Emefa akosua Adeti (Upper East Region), Patience Avorgbedor (Northern Region) and Priscilla Asare (Eastern Region. However, other awards were given to appreciate the girls for their various efforts during the competition. Miss Darling Hair Queen went to Patience Avorgbedor and received a cheque of GH c 500 for this award. Best Swimwear and a GH c200 went to Jennifer Annan Akun. Michaella Araba Etwire of the Western Region was recognized as Most Beautiful Skin which came with a GH c200.

The night was punctuated with musical performances and some comedy to provide a much needed release of the tension that was building up in the Theatre. Growing artistes such as Andy, Don Echi, Lil C, HItz Discovery winner, Belbon Fly, Cute family were given the stage to perform to the best of their abilities. The night was crowned of with Chemphere and Dr Cryme. The Legend provided comedy for the night.

At long last, the Queen and her two princesses were selected. In Club Miss Tourism Ghana, things have been twisted a bit. Instead of a 1^st runner up and a 2^nd runner up, these two are princesses. Thus the 2^nd Princess was Patience Avorgbedor, 1^st Princess was Golda Aba Dayi and the Queen, who is also Miss Tourism Ghana 2011 went to Priscilla Asare.

The judges for this competition were Mrs. Carolyn Antwi (Ministry of Tourism), Kofi Akpabli (Ghana Tourism Authority), Philip Norley (Accra Brewery Limited), Mrs. Rita Bucknor (USAID), Chester Anie (Potpourrie), Antonie Van Eldert (The Venue Restaurant and Bar), Charles Nii Ayiku (CEO of CNJ Consult) and George Ribeirio (Che restaurant).

The night ended with a large part of the audience storming on stage to congratulate the winners. A huge sigh and raising glasses to all!

This program was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, sponsored by Accra Brewery Ltd, the Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Tourism Federation, Ghana Tourism Development Company, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Metropolitan Insurance company, Emefa Jewellery, Crown Apartamento Hotel, DaViva, Darling Hair, CNJ Consult, The Venue, MJ Grand Hotel, Citizen Kofi, Fiesta Royale, Set’s Gift Shop, Nudufe Restaurant, UB Hair, Multi-pak Ltd, Kick Energy Drink, Sigma, Sky Natural Mineral Water, Africa Cola Company, Juben House of Beauty, Dreamz Fitness, E-Jam Records, Sankofa Magazine, Travelcare.

Designers of the event: House of Micky Creations, Jessica Torks Clothing, KS Fashions, Restoration Point Company, Sako Wear, Seasons and Occasions Collections, VIDOL Collections, Alloette (Make-up), Wendy L’artisane (Jewellery).

Media Partners were Adom FM, Homebase TV, Hitz FM, GTV, eTV, Metro TV, Pink FM, Grphic Showbiz, The Mirror, Daily Graphic, New Times, Spectator, Ticket Ghana, Choice FM.

CURRENT HOTSPOTS

MERCY JOHNSON SAYS, "I DO" ! 

Nigerian Star actress tied the knot with Prince Odianose Okojie in Lagos at the Christ Embassy Church. The reception was held at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in Lagos.

Mercy’s dress had a sweetheart neckline, A-line silhouette with a dramatic cathedral length train, she completed her look with a lace petticoat, glittering necklace and cathedral length veil.

Many powerful personalties graced the occasion, including some of our Ghanaian stars like Majid Michel and Yvonne Okoro, who was her bridesmaid.

OBOUR AS MUSIGA PRESIDENT

Obour has officially been inaugurated as the president of MUSIGA. With long-term goal of "Rebranding the Music Industry", there is hope of a minimum wage system to be implemented for musicians. Obour's presidency, unique already in the youthfulness of Obour, started off on a high note with a donation of US $100000 by Dr. Kofi Amoah, owner of Citizen Kofi. Read Post, "Obour as MUSIGA President: Rebranding the Music Industry" for inside scoop.

VODAFONE GRABS GHANA MUSIC AWARDS FROM MTN

Major sponsors, MTN, of the annual Ghana Music Awards, organized by CharterHouse every year, have been replaced by their competitors, Vodafone, after about a decade of sponsorship. According to the organizers, Vodafone has shown its readiness and loyalty to the growth of the music industry. The Awards would now be known as the "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Festival".

Uche Ofodile, Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone Ghana commented, "We are excited by the new ideas and concepts Charterhouse have in mind for the Ghana Music Awards. It’s a massive event in the calendar of the music industry and we are pleased to be able to support in the changes you will see in the GMA next year will create a more vibrant festival with a transparent and fair judging process”. She also talked about a new Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Foundation to support up and coming musicians as well as teach musicians the best practices in the music world that would enable artists to become better with their craft and their career as musicians.

Vodafone seems determined to prove itself the most friendly and approachable network in Ghana. It has recently signed a lucrative 3-year contract with 4syte TV to sponsor the popular 4syte TV show, and bought the rights of the 4syte Music Video Awards. Vodafone introduced the first edition of Vodafone Icons last year which continue this year. Soon to come, on the 20th of September 2011, Vodafone is organizing the '020live concert', a concert which has already caught fire with its major attraction, Trey songz, American RnB crooner. Amber Rose, model, ex-babe of Kanye West and current babe of Wiz Khalifa, would join Eddy Blay as Master of Ceremonies of the event.

THE SEARCH FOR MISS TOURISM GHANA 2011

The search for the woman who would prove herself the best youthful ambassador to Ghana's Tourism Industry gathers momentum this week. Join the girls in their journey to the throne by watching Diaries of Miss Tourism Ghana 2011. The final event to crown the deserving Queen is at the National Theatre on the 17th of September.

Contestants for the Miss Tourism Ghana 2011 crown





OBUOR AS MUSIGA PRESIDENT: REBRANDING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

                                                                                                 

The long battle for the presidency has ended. Thankfully, the period of stepping on toes, backbiting, mixed feelings and simmering tempers have ended and a new period of relief and a hopeful future for MUSIGA is looming in the horizon.

Out of the four persons contesting for the presidency (Nana Tuffour, Gyedu Blay Ambulley, Willi Roi and Obuor), Obuor wins the throne of MUSIGA, thus his inauguration and the inauguration of the other new executives to head the next four year term. Obuor polled 64 votes, Nana Tuffuor 51, Gyedu Blay Ambulley 24 votes and Willi Roi with 2 votes at the August 18^th elections held at MUSIGA’s congress in Tamale. Kaakyire Kwame Appiah is the new 1^st Vice President, Bessa Simmons, 2^nd Vice President, Deborah Freeman as General Secretary, Chizzy Wailer as Organizer, John Victor Owusu as the new National Welfare Officer and Oheneba Kisi as Financial Secretary.

The ceremony of inauguration which was held on the 8^th of September in the main hall of the MUSIGA head office was quite the celebration. It would definitely be a landmark in MUSIGA history, first of for being the first inauguration to be open to media and the public. At the high table were ex-MUSIGA president Diana Hopeson and her past executives, Dr. Kofi Amoah (Business mogul and owner of Citizen Kofi) as Chair of the event. In front of the high table, were pictures of the past presidents of MUSIGA who had to be honoured as the pioneers of this important Union for musicians. Other important personalities present were some honourable Ministers of State, special guest of the Occasion, Kofi Asamoah, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress, Alhaji Sidiki Buari, Ben Braku, and Daddy Bosco, (popularly known as Idi Koko). K.K Kabobo who was disqualified from the elections because of his failure to be present at the vetting made sure he would not be in the books of disqualification again this time by showing up at the inauguration. And, as a formality and support, big names of the Music industry were present: A. B. Crentsil, Bibie Brew, Mary Ghansah, Okyeame Kwame, Efya, Richie, Zigi, Tinny, Sydney, Asem, Nana Kwame Ampedu, to name a few. Actors, Pascaline Edwards and Augustine Abbey were also present. Interestingly enough, Gyedu Blay Ambulley and Willi Roi who lost the presidency were not present. Are hopes for Unity in danger?

The event, at which David Dontoh was Master of Ceremonies, was filled with speeches by respected personalities from notable organizations such as the Ghana Concert Party Association, the Copyright Association, the Film Producers’ Association of Ghana, the Ghana Actors Guild and the Trade Union Congress. The advice of “Unity” rang through. Obuor’s goal for his four-year term, Rebranding the Music Industry, became a mantra in all the speeches made by any of his executives, including Bessa Simmons. The Special Guest of the ceremony, Kofi Asamoah, began his speech by commending the past presidency of MUSIGA, repeats Obuor’s hope of instituting a minimum wage system for musicians, drags in the need for a pension system for Musicians (“developing life after work schemes”) and resounds on the need for togetherness to achieve. However, the highlighted speech of the day was that delivered by Dr. Kofi Amoah, chairman of the event.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Kofi Amoah states that this “youthful presidency” would inspire the youth to achieve. He refers to MUSIGA as “the little hen coming out of its egg to take its rightful place in society”. Advocating for Ghanaians to recognize the worth of our own music, he says, “Music is big business and we have to understand that”. He asserts, quite rightly, that music is not just emotionalism but a practical tool. He also hints at the need in the renovation of the MUSIGA head office building, in that it should truly represent the headquarters of this Musicians’ Union and concludes that, “We should think big”. And to demonstrate exactly how big we should think, He publicly declared his contribution of US $100,000 to MUSIGA. Titters, applauses, handshaking took quite a while before the crowd could digest the news.

There is certainly hope for a more money-acquiring, business-directed MUSIGA with Obuor as its current president. Gone will possibly be the days of music as an industry done for the love of it while cooking pots are empty at home. According to Obuor, “It is time for us to come to that very important realization that music transcends just entertainment to a huge empire of business, and development of our industry will only come in an atmosphere of tranquility and unity. We can solve our problems of the industry as individuals, but it is only when we unite that we can change the industry. Together we can change the status quo which has reduced our industry to one of poverty although the industry represents wealth in our jurisdictions.”

There are plans on the ground for a minimum wage system for musicians which would be divided in a grade or class system. Certain criteria would have to be satisfied, of course. We hope for the smooth running of this system.

Music as a whole is an industry that can garner a profound amount of wealth for a country. However, it has the tendency of being concentrated at the top where the power lies. This attempt at decentralization of the wealth in the industry would certainly go a long way to attract more talented musicians into the industry and, possibly, make Ghanaian music serious competition with its international competitors.