Category: Entertainment

Fourteen-year-old Adjoa Gyakoa Appiah-Kubi, Junior High School (JHS) Two Pupil of Efutu M/A Basic School in Cape Coast has won this year’s School’s Sanitation Solutions (Triple S) Challenge competition, and crowned Child Sanitation Diplomat for 2023/2024.

The laureate, beaming with smiles walked gaily from her seat, after the grand finale of the competition, held at the National Theatre, in Accra, to the front of the stage, to receive her prizes, amidst flashes and display of lights, music and joy from the audience.

She shed tears for the win, for which as a diplomat, would attract both local and foreign engagements.

Adjoa-Gyakoa had beaten thousands of contestants in the nationwide competition, the fourth edition, launched earlier in the year by World Vision, Ghana (WVG), a Christian humanitarian organisation, and some partners, to encourage pupils to identify and address sanitation problems.

As Legal Practitioner and Quizmaster Dan Afari Yeboah, waited for the scores of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation ‘What Do You Know’ quiz competition, that climaxed the competition to be announced, the contestants sat quietly in anticipation of which of them might take over from Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah, the outgoing Diplomat, whose term comes to a close at the end of September 2023.

When the results were announced, Adjoa Gyakoa, had won, with 33.5 points, beating Vanessa Lamisi Asiedu of St Bernadette Soubirous School in Dansoman, Accra, who had 27 points; Hannah Fokuoof Biadan Methodist Junior High School, in Berekum in the Bono Region; and Vanessa Wenaba Adune, a Class Six Pupil of The Great Victory Academy in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region.

Aside being decorated with a sash by the outgoing Diplomat, Adjoa Gyakoa received a cash prize of GHC 5,000, a certificate of honour signed by the Ghana Director of World Vision, a plaque of honour, a Galaxy Samsung A8 tablet, a modem router, a laptop computer and a printer for her school.

The elated laureate, on receiving the award, promised to educate, during her reign, people on how to manage their solid waste and other wastes.

She said: ‘I was very excited when I was announced as the winner of the challenge. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t expect to be the winner, but I am grateful to God for making me the winner.

‘I’m grateful for my friends and family for their prayers and support in making me reach the finals and win as the Child Sanitation Diplomat. For the one year, my focus will be on solid waste management. I would educate people on how to manage their solid waste and other waste that they produce.

‘I would also encourage other colleagues to learn and study so that they can also get to this point.’

The other finalists were given undisclosed cash prizes, tablets, certificates, plaques of honour, a desk top computer, and other souvenirs.

Dr Freda Prempeh, the Minister of Sanitation, in a speech read on her behalf by the Director at the Ministry of Sanitation, Patricia Dovi Sampson, promised that the Government would ensure better access to proper sanitation, reduce the prevalence of open defecation and improve the overall public health.

She noted the negative effects of poor sanitation and hygiene in schools, communities, and workplaces, and said they reduced productivity due to ill-health.

Dr Prempeh, however, gave an assurance that the Government was passionate and committed to investing in the health and wellbeing of people through the improvement of water sanitation and hygiene delivery services nationwide.

‘Government would also ensure that there are places of convenience in every school,’ she added.

Madam Laura Del Valle, National Director of World Vision commended efforts to empower children to advocate the removal of barriers and promote access to improved sanitation was a noble cause and called on all stakeholders to continue to empower, support and lead advocacy for improved water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Children’s Sanitation Fair is a platform through which students send out sensitisation messages through drama, music, dance, and poetry.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr. Kwame Baah, the Chief Executive Officer of Yve Digital, a music aggregation platform, has been named the Best Music and Entertainment Personality at the 2023 Forty Under 40 Achievers Awards.

The renowned music entrepreneur was recognised for his hard work in pushing the works of Ghanaian artistes, including the likes of Okyeame Kwame, Fameye, D-Black, Wendy Shay, Sista Afia, and many more.

Some of his innovative works, like the ‘Get the Artiste’ platform, have helped in the facilitation of booking artistes for both local and international shows.

In his acceptance speech after receiving the award, Mr. Baah expressed his gratitude to those who have helped in his stellar journey in the music industry and said he would dedicate more of his time to promoting the works of Ghanaian artistes.

‘I want to first thank God for where he has brought me thus far and also the Chief Executive Officer of Farmhouse Productions, Mr. Ivan Quashigah, who has been very supportive.

‘Special thanks also go to the team at Yve Digital and all those who have believed and had confidence in me. Congratulations to us all,’ Mr. Baah said.

He further stated his zeal to support young and upcoming artistes as he was open to supporting them reach the top of the music industry not in Ghana only but on the international stage.

The highly prestigious Forty Under 40 Achievers Awards is a scheme that seeks to identify and celebrate a cross-section of the nation’s most influential and accomplished young business fellows under the age of forty (40) who are making an impact in their respective industries.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The 2023 Basic Schools Art and Culture Festival has been held in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region.

The programme, which was held on the theme: ‘Relevance of Culture Education to Ghanaian Economy,’ involved poetry recital, drum language, ampe, traditional dressing, choral music, dance, drama, and sight singing.

The national activity would be held in Wa, the Upper West Regional capital.

Mr Michael Zowonu, the Kadjebi District Culture Co-ordinator disclosed this during the Kadjebi Circuit’s Art and Culture celebration at Kadjebi.

He said Festival of Art and Culture celebrations in basic schools educates both students and the public in diverse ways and that Culture was the lifeblood of a vibrant society, expressed in many ways as we told our stories, celebrate, remember the past, entertain ourselves and imagine the future.

Mr Zowonu said celebrating festival of Art in our schools makes Ghana children appreciate the core principles and ideas upon which an entire community exists and relies upon for existence and harmonious relationship.

The District Culture Coordinator said festival was also used to shape Ghanaian children into whom they would be as they gain knowledge, learn the language, symbols, values norms, customs, and traditions.

He said children felt more comfortable and safer with these differences later in life.

Mr Zowonu explained that the festival allowed the children to interact in a wider range of social groups and that made them feel more confident in themselves and in their interactions with others.

He said celebrations also influenced how the children see the world and the community they live in and how they communicate with each other.

The District Culture Coordinator said unfortunately, some reduce the understanding of the celebration as fetishism, archaic and anachronistic acts, while others considered it as just drumming and dancing. Meanwhile, we had other disciplines such as poetry recitals, drum language, choral music, traditional dressing, still life drawing, exhibition, among others.

He thus advised parents to give their children the proper training they deserve, for a brighter future.

Mr Zowonu said the current generation ought to make good use of their culture and forget about the foreign culture which was destroying us and leading us to unknown destinations.

Mr Reuben Kemevor, the School Improvement Support Officer for Kadjebi Circuit, charged the students to avoid copying foreign culture blindly as God knows why they were created Africans.

The Kadjebi Circuit event saw ten Junior High Schools (JHSs) and twelve Primary Schools competing in poetry recital, drum language, ampe, traditional dressing, choral music, dance, drama, and sight singing. A similar programme was organised for the remaining seven Circuits in the District.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hiplife Musician, Belinda Ekua Amoah, popularly known as Mzbel, was among hundreds of participants who joined the all-white remembrance procession, announcing the start of this year’s Chale Wote Street Art Festival in Accra.

The walk, which took off about 4pm, Monday, was to pay homage and pave the way for a successful celebration of the week-long festival.

The participants, led by a chief priest, started the procession from the Osu township, through the Lokko Street, Starlets 91 Road and the Black Star Square, before finishing at the Christiansborg Castle.

Mzbel at the start of the journey, told the Ghana News Agency that she could only endure the exercise for about an hour, however, the entire trip turned out to be somewhat shorter than expected.

Asked what she thought about the new venue for this year’s event, she said the Black Star Square was ‘much better’.

‘I have always been a part of Chale Wote, doing business from my restaurant, but this is the first time I am taking part in this ritual.

‘Chale Wote is growing and I think the Independence Square is the right place to be. It is spacious and it makes it easier for people to identify where all activities are taking place.’

The ‘Awoso me’ singer who delivered a baby girl recently hopes the entire celebration ends successfully, as she remains a part of the large audience telling the rich indigenous story of the locals through arts and culture.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The 2023 Chale Wote Art Festival has taken off with a customary ‘remembrance’ procession in the Osu community in Accra.

The walk started at about 1600hrs on Monday with the ‘train’ making its first stop at the Osu Klottey Shrine, near the Christiansborg Castle, where the team sought spiritual ‘clearance and permission’ from the gods to proceed whilst seeking their blessings.

Dressed in all-white outfit with ‘nyanya’ leaves – believed to purify, heal, and ward-off evil spirits around their necks, the about 500 men and women took part in the procession, which lasted for about 30 minutes.

The participants were led by traditional leaders through some principal streets where libations were poured at every road intersection with spiritual leaders ringing bells and children carrying small calabashes.

The significance, according to the traditionalists, is to pave the way for a smooth celebration and to bring blessings to the Osu community.

Some residents stood along the streets to catch a glimpse of the entourage, which included the convenor of the Charle Wote Festival, Mantse Ayikwei, Nii Aryetey Aryeh, and popular musician, Belinda Ekua Amoah, aka Mzbel.

Amidst singing and drumming, the participants made their way to the Independence Ark, where Numo Gbelenfo III, Chief Priest of Osu, poured libation again to officially indicate commencement of the festival and ask the gods to ensure peaceful celebration.

Though the procession temporarily caused vehicular traffic on the Osu-Teshie main road, some passengers appeared to be enjoying the display of rich Ghanaian culture.

The deafening sound of traditional drums accompanied by exotic dances and performances announced the end of the opening ceremony of the event.

Some participants returned from the walk looking exhausted, but said the spiritual exercise was worth the time.

Ms Adjele Hosanna, a Ga Language Advocate, participating in the walk for the first-time, described it as ‘challenging, but insightful’.

Mr Anny Osabutey, who has been part of the organisation of the festival since inception, said there were more exciting activities line-up in the coming days, and urged everyone to experience the celebration.

‘The art is created for the people by the people. Chale Wote will not be where it is today without the active involvement and acceptance of the people so, we want all of them to come out to see amazing pieces of work on display at the grand finale on Saturday and Sunday,’ he said.

The remembrance walk paved the way for a movie screening event known as the ‘FilmLab’, which would continue until Friday.

The opening saw performances by members of the Saakumu Dance group, along with other live music events at the Castle Gardens.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cameroonian artist, Philbill says he is being unlawfully detained and his passport confiscated in Germany by Rosette Loe, of Newol entertainment.

Diyani Bill Munyenge, popularly known as Phillbill says he was hired by Newol entertainment for a European tour that was scheduled to take place this August but unfortunately he was not booked enough.

He made the revelation in a live video on his Facebook page on Thursday August 17, where he explained:

“Rosette Loe of Newol entertainment is the one who brought me here for my European tour but unfortunately the date was not yet known and she proposed I stay with her friend in Switzerland. A proposal I turned down because I enjoy privacy and so I rpaid my way back to Cameroon because there were no performance days booked.”

He further says while in Cameroon, the lady informed him that he had performance dates and so should return to Germany for a tour. To his greatest surprise upon arrival, there was no tour.

“As I discovered that there were no dates booked yet, I asked what should be done. She took my passport claiming it was to establish a residence declaration but kept me in an apartment. Here in my apartment there is no food. She complained that there were no funds for it and that she had spent a lot and so I decided to take on the charges again.

“She kept on assuring me, telling me that I cannot perform just anywhere because I am not just any celebrity. Even my manager proposed 6 dates which she all rejected.

“This lady doesn’t want me to go out and even if I’m going out, it should be with her or her team.”

Phillbill further says he discovered that the tour was already a failure and wanted them to part ways after the treatment he received from his business partner. He tried in vain to get his passport. He adds that he had a performance in Nuremberg, Germany but couldn’t make it because Rosette was retaining his passport.

Philbill announced he has filed a complaint at the Police. This he says was after Rosette and her team made a recent outing which he considered was damaging to his career and defamatory.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Ghanaian musician Andy Nii Akrashie, known by his stage name OJ Blaq has passed on at the age of 40.

The ‘Biggie Boy Lover’ as he is popularly referred to, has been battling with a persistent kidney ailment over the past recent years, but the cause of his death is yet to be known.

OJ Blaq embarked on his musical journey in the early 2000s but his inaugural album ‘The Blaq Mixtape,’ brought him into the limelight.

His ‘Chalewote’ track featuring Asem remains one of his biggest hit songs as he won awards and top charts in the late 2000s.

OJ Blaq also enjoyed popularity in the film industry, gracing the screens in notable productions including the popular Ghanaian television series, Sun City.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Legendary Ghanaian musician, Pat Thomas, often referred to as the ‘Golden Voice of Africa,’ delivered a nostalgic performance during his Highlife concert held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

The 76-year-old musician, displayed high-level and flawless performances, wowing some patrons of Highlife gathered at the AICC to celebrate his illustrious career in Ghana’s music industry spanning more than five decades.

The concert was also a fund-raiser for Pat Thomas’ School of Music, Arts, and Culture project in the Ashanti Region, which is estimated to cost about $6.5 million.

On the night, Pat Thomas, who has graced some big stages on the international front, dazzled audiences with some of his timeless songs, including ‘Sika Ye Mogya,’ Megyedzi Su,’ ‘Gyae Su’.

His steady dance moves coupled with amazing vocals were applauded by patrons gathered at the auditorium to some astounding live band tunes from the Bessa Band.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who attended the concert, was mesmerised by the thrilling performance of the Highlife legend and applauded the stagecraft of the music maestro.

In his speech, President Akufo-Addo said: ‘Today, we gather not only to celebrate his incredible musical journey but also to appreciate the rich cultural heritage that his music embodies. His talent, dedication, and passion for music have united people from diverse backgrounds, and I am proud to call Pat Thomas a fellow Ghanaian.’

The night was filled with lots of captivating performances from other music stars, and Kwabena Kwabena, one of Ghana’s sensational male vocalists, brought a spark of love into the atmosphere with some nostalgic music renditions.

Hiplife artiste Okyeame Kwame ignited the auditorium with his ruthless stage energy, delivering an amazing rap performance that was certainly the best of the night.

Veteran musician Amandzeba Nat Brew brought his astounding ‘jama’ vibes on stage, with the crowd mimicking some of his timeless hit songs, including ‘Kpanlogo,’ ‘Odo Kaya, and ‘Oreba’.

There were also astounding performances from Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Akatakyie, KK Fosu, Kofi Nti, and Daughters of Glorious Jesus, who kicked off the night with some gospel songs.

The Highlife Night was graced by some high-level personalities, including former President John Agyekum Kufour, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Boxing legend Azumah Nelson, NPP Flagbearer Hopeful, Alan John Kyremanten.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana’s iconic Black Star Square in Accra will host the 13th Chale Wote Street Art Festival, one of Africa’s most vibrant street art festivals, from Monday, August 21 to Sunday, August 27, 2023.

The Black Star Square, its adjoining streets, and the Osu community, will witness a new wave of artists creating some of the most innovative contemporary works of art in Africa.

This, 2023 cycle of Chale Wote Street Art Festival, organisers say, ‘is a celebration of over a decade of offering some of the most iconic public art interventions by African artists, as well as co-creations with collaborators from across the world.’

Chale Wote literally translates to ‘Friend let’s go’ in Ga, the language of indigenes of Accra, but has come to stand for flip-flops.

The festival, among others, cultivates a wider audience for the arts in West Africa by breaking creative boundaries and using art as a venture.

The organisers say, ‘All programming throughout the festival week will be held within the Osu municipality.’

‘Chale Wote Street Art Festival will have no activities in James Town,’ they emphasised in a statement to the media.

James Town, a predominantly fishing community and Accra’s oldest community, Mantse Agbonaa, has hosted what is axiomatically the biggest arts festival in West Africa as it brings together an alluring mix of artists, and musicians, designers and exhibitors.

The festival is highly anticipated for its surreal art, music, dance and performances on the streets of Jamestown, Accra’s old quarters.

However, the new venue, Osu, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Accra, dating back to the early 19th century and has become an important part of the city’s commercial and cultural landscape.

The history of Osu can be traced to the late 18th century, when a group of Ga fishermen settled in the area.

The Osu Castle, built by the Danish in the 17th century, is one of the most iconic buildings in the community.

The new festival perimeter, at its new venue – the Black Star Square in Osu – will feature open air mural exhibitions by leading Ghanaian and international artists, showcasing work inspired by the rebellion of enslaved Afro-Brazilians in 1835 Salvador Bahia and their glorious return to present day Ghana, Togo and Nigeria.

The story is also performed as a musical theatre piece called ‘MEMORY MOVEMENT FREEDOM’ by multiple community-based performance, dance troupes and brass band.

For their participation this year, Ghanaian art collective AFUABE will create live murals detailing the former Gold Coast’s long history of resistance against colonial invasions.

Other showcases will include performance art, graffiti, 4 music stages with 120 musicians and bands, LABS, Salons, design, photography, processions, street theater and the SHIKA SHIKA Art Fair that will host independent artists at the Christianborg Castle.

The art fair supports and showcases dynamic presentations and works from intergenerational artists working outside of gallery spaces.

The castle gardens will also host the Chale Wote Film LABS and knowledge sharing salons from 22nd August to 24th August.

The salons will offer hands-on digital art and photography training sessions for visiting creators and the general public. Screening at the Film LABS are 17 films from Ghana, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.

Visitors can also book walking tours to visit historical sites and buildings with fascinating stories within the Osu community.

The world-famous Highlife Café opens at the Black Star Square for the first time alongside the Accra Cookout, serving the city’s favourite dishes and obscure delicacies.

The Black Star Square and Christianborg Castle will be a sight to behold for the most iconic celebration of art in Africa, hosting the industry’s biggest acts for an unforgettable multi-disciplinary art experience.

Since its inception in 2011, Chale Wote has developed an unrivalled reputation for consistently featuring hundreds of performances, exhibitions across stages, throughout the festival grounds.

African audiences are now connected to new perspectives of authentic creators who are developing spaces dedicated to independent art production through the festival year after year.

This year’s Chale Wote Street Art festival is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Tourism Authority, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey Dr. Zenator Agyeman Rawlings, Accra [Dot] Alt, Citi FM/TV, Institute Francais, Korley Klottey Municipal Assembly, Ghana Museums and Monuments Board +Lododo Art.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Otuo Owuahene Acheampong, Executive Director for National Commission on Culture (NCC), has urged teachers and parents to educate children on Ghanaian culture to promote and project traditions through storytelling and folksongs.

He said storytelling was one of the most powerful means that leaders used to influence, teach and inspire, as it made learning more effective and forged connection among students.

Speaking at the Adesa Village storytelling and folksongs school competition in Accra, Mr Acheampong said in the current times of

enhanced digital connectivity, social stories had gained wide and viral popularity as political, social and business leaders used the power of social stories to communicate their messages, demonstrate their vision and actions and get the public to engage with them.

Throwing more light on the objective of storytelling and folksongs, Mr Acheampong said it was to inspire young individuals and children within the society to use their imagination to convey cultural values and motivate them to take actions.

‘Is of no doubt that whether we sit in our homes listening to our children tell an interesting story or at school listening to our teachers telling a story or plot twist by using imaginary, such stories have the power to captivate, engage and cause us to think and act accordingly to the norms and traditions of the society,’ he added.

He reiterated the need for the current generation to be aware of the workings and events of the

world around them to tell their own authentic stories and inspire people to take actions from their stories.

He said another defining feature of many modernized teaching was the telling of stories through the art of folk music.

Mr Acheampong said storytelling and folksongs were important in preserving the traditions and heritage of the country, adding that they also provided valuable insight and understanding of various aspect of life.

He, therefore, encouraged students to showcase their exceptional abilities in order for their parents and teachers to be proud of them.

Madam Alice Alima Kala, Director, Centre for National Culture (CNC), Greater Accra Region, said the emergence of new trends of fashion, foods, other forms of social activities and life styles across the globe had influenced most youth to lose touch with very important practices

of the tradition, value and norms of the culture.

She added that there was the need for awareness creation to educate the youth on the importance and beauty of the Ghanaian culture.

Madam Kala said storytelling by our forefathers was not only to entertain and educate but also to instill moral cultural values into the citizenry.

She said in the quest to rekindle the spirit of storytelling and folksongs, her outfit as part of its mandate organised and inculcated storytelling in children from primary schools to develop hidden talents of the youth and expose young children to the rich Ghanaian culture.

She said, ‘our main aim and focus as an institution is to promote, develop and sustain cultural and artistic excellence, hence ‘Adesa Village’, to help bring out the fading cultural norms such as riddles, proverbs, music and dance, among others.’

Source: Ghana News Agency