Category: Entertainment

Multiple award-winning artiste?Article?Wan?joined the ‘Buz Stop Boys,’ a group of sanitation volunteers, to clean up some chocked gutters in Dzorwulu, Accra.

The sensational musician Article Wan took time out of his busy schedule to throw his support to Buz Stop Boys, who over the past months spearheaded community mobilisation and youth development initiatives through sanitation.

The group of youth volunteers rose to social media fame by cleaning various local communities and have received massive commendation for their efforts to keep Accra clean.

It was a long day for Article Wan and the Buz Stop Boys as they cleared sand-choked gutters at the Dzorwulu Footbridge with bypassers appreciating their works.

Speaking on the sidelines of the clean-up exercise, Article Wan mentioned the need for the youth to be part of the change we need in the country and contribute their quota towards national development.

According to the ‘Solo’ hitmaker, his motivation for partaking in this exercise was rooted in his expe
rience around the world and how the energetic youthful population could be used as a catalyst for development in Ghana and Africa as a whole.?

He added that issues of sanitation were not a blame game, urging the youth to contribute to clearing the streets for a healthy life for all.

The award-winning musician shared his passion for sanitation and waste management education as his contribution towards national development. As a result, he was using this opportunity as a platform to begin his sanitation and waste management awareness programme initiative in Ghana.

Article Wan becomes the first musician to support the ‘Buz Stop Boys’ sanitation initiative, setting the pace for other artistes to join forces to mitigate sanitation issues in the country.

Source:Ghana News Agency

VVIO Couture, a fashion brand based in the Volta Regional Capital, Ho, grasped the opportunity to join the lineup of designers that showcased at the 2024 Miss World Contesy in Mumbai, India.

Ghana was among 120 beauty Queens representing countries from around the world in the pageant held on March 9.

Ms Pulcherie Nyuiemedi Ahoomey-Zunu, who owns VIVO Couture, found herself among three talented dressmakers that adorned Mariam Xorlasi, Ghana’s Beauty Queen, who won the 2023 Miss Ghana Contest.

The young fashion designer is a product of the Ho Technical University and won the job through fabric manufacturer Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL), which is a long-time sponsor of Ghana’s beauty queens.

The textile company met the fashion brand at the 2023 Volta Trade and Investment Fair, which was organised by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in Ho, and she took part in a fashion show held there by the cloth manufacturer.

She produced five high craft full pieces in two days for the Ghana Queen and told the
Ghana News Agency that it was beyond dreams to see her products mount the highest stage for beauty pageantry.

Her works featured prominently in official catalogues and publications of the event and caught the attention of many.

‘That Friday afternoon I received a call, and it was Miss Ghana, she told me she was going for Miss World and that I was part of the designers that was making her outfit for the event. And she told me that ATL insisted that I have to sow for her.’

The designer spoke of what it felt like crafting for the world stage, saying she had to ransack her entire store of ideas and skills.

‘I was supposed to produce eight out of nine designs but because it was two days work, I took five,’ she said.

‘For the ideas, I had some designs in my drawing book so that helped me a lot and I didn’t have to think much. But there were new designs that I hadn’t tried before.’

‘The challenge was that the design took time more than I was thinking. One I thought would take two hours ended up taking more tha
n seven hours to complete

because of the patterns. The duration was very short as they were outstanding outfits, which the whole world would see, so I had to take my time and do the right thing.’

Ms Ahoomey-Zunu had been in the fashion industry in the Volta Region for sometime, and about a year ago organised one of the biggest outdoor fashion shows in Ho.

The show had high patronage, she said, and that clients had a knack for perfection, but the challenge remained the lack of collaboration among the various brands in promoting the sprawling industry.

‘Everybody here wants the work to be perfect and they are ready to patronise and so the fashion industry is growing fast here.’

‘Just that when it is time for collaboration such as fashion shows, designers don’t want to come out to showcase their work and that’s the only challenge we can talk about. But we are many doing well in the Region’.

She encouraged her colleague designers to showcase the work of their dreams.

‘We should not only sit down and sow. W
e have so much hiding inside us to show the world so let’s come out with our ideas’.

Mr Sam Arday, the Marketing Manager of ATL, said the achievement stemmed from the Company’s decades-long attachment to the beauty pageant, and that the brand’s elevation helped market the burgeoning fashion industry in the Volta Region.

‘We have been supporting the national beauty contest since it begun in the 1960s and anytime the Queen is going to the Miss World, we provide her fabrics.’

‘This time we decided to move to another level, so we selected three designers who featured in our shows, and we picked one from the Volta Region and two from Kumasi.’

He commended the organisers of the Volta Fair for providing the platform for young entrepreneurs in the Region and said ATL was planning some fashion shows and events as part of initiatives to support the industry.

‘We want to encourage more people for the fashion industry. We want to see it improve and enhance the patronage of the made-in- Ghana concept, and so we are e
ncouraging people to go into it,’ Mr Arday said.

Mr Dela Gadzanku, Chairman of the AGI for Eastern, Volta and Oti, was elated the Volta Fair, in its sixth edition, birthed such recognition for local entrepreneurs, and gave the assurance that the association would continue to work with stakeholders to expand avenues for more opportunities.

Source:Ghana News Agency

Ghana is set to make history as an important destination for hosting major events with the upcoming inaugural West Africa Music and Arts Festival in Accra.

This groundbreaking event, the first of its kind in the region, would span four days, starting at the iconic Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 coinciding with the official Juneteenth celebration in Ghana.

The festival is not only a vibrant music industry conference aimed at bringing industry players together and educating the masses, but also a celebration of the rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity of West Africa.

It would provide a platform to showcase and educate on all things related to the music industry. From electrifying performances by renowned artistes to interactive workshops, master classes, and captivating arts installations.

Jasmine Young, co-founder of the festival said, ‘I am thrilled to launch this groundbreaking event in Accra, Ghana. Our festival was birthed from the ideology of strengthening the con
nectivity of the diasporas and continuing the work of educating the masses about the Music and Entertainment Industries.

‘This festival literally celebrates the vibrant cultural tapestry of West Africa and what it means to the world. In addition to energetic and interactive panels and master classes, we are showcasing the region’s rich musical heritage and artistic talent.

‘Through music, arts, and community, we aim to foster unity, diversity, and creativity globally. This festival is not just about entertainment; it’s about creating meaningful connections and inspiring positive change.

‘We invite everyone to join us in Accra for an unforgettable celebration of music, arts, and culture that will resonate far beyond the festival grounds.’

As Ghana takes center stage in hosting this festival, attendees can look forward to a diverse lineup of performances encompassing various genres like Afrobeat, Highlife, Hip Hop, and more.

Furthermore, engaging with Music and Entertainment industry professionals worldw
ide, participating in insightful panel discussions, and discovering emerging talent from across the continent are all part of the festival experience.

‘This festival is more than just a celebration of music and arts; it’s a celebration of our shared heritage and identity as West Africans and the entire African Diaspora.

‘It’s an opportunity to spotlight the astonishing talent and creativity within our shared culture and connect with audiences from Ghana and beyond,’ stated Annabelle McKenzie, the Director of the Beyond The Return Secretariat.

Mr Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority added, ‘We are proud to support the West Africa Music and Arts Festival. This festival not only celebrates our vibrant music and arts scene but also promotes tourism and economic development in our region.

‘We eagerly anticipate welcoming visitors from near and far to immerse themselves in the beauty and creativity of Ghana.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Award winning dancehall and reggae artist Livingstone Etsey Setekle, popularly known in music life as ‘Stonebwoy’ has thrilled fans after he was massively received at this is year’s Vodza Ecotourism Initiative and Easter entertainment show.

The show, held on Saturday, March 30 at the Keta Emancipation Beach Resort in the Keta Municipality of the Volta region received a ‘crazy’ crowd with thousands of youths from the area and beyond attending.

Mr Jonny Jones, a Bhim Nation fan, in an interaction with the Ghana News Agency after the show, expressed satisfaction and joy over the programme and commended the organisers for the event.

‘I am so excited and proud of myself for seeing Stonebwoy for the first time in my life. We love him and we want this kind of show during Easter festivities every year,’ he stated.

Mr Jones further appealed to authorities, traditional rulers, elders, and heads of institutions among others to collaborate for better entertainment shows in the future.

Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Foun
ding Member of the Vodza Ecotourism Initiative, in an earlier interview with GNA, stated that other activities, which include ‘Woezor Night’ was held on Friday, March 29, at 1830hrs at Villa Amore Beach resort at Vodza.

There was a ‘Midunu’ food fair at Lagoon Beach Hotel as well as a Regatta show at Vodza regatta ground at Vodza.

Meanwhile, Stonebwoy, before his performance on the night, paid his homage to Torgbi Sri lll, the ‘Awormefia’ of the Anlo State in his palace at Anloga as a sign of announcing his presence together with his wife and children.

Vodza Ecotourism and Easter Regatta were aimed at promoting and highlighting ecotourism among others for better improvement.

It also includes promoting local and international music for better improvement and progress.

Also, there were terrific performances from Chief One, Keeny Ice, and others who charged the crowd with an expected feeling.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Africa Prime Initiative (API), a philanthropic arm of US-based video streaming platform Africa Prime, has joined forces with Gallery Soview to launch new grants for emerging Ghanaian artistes.

In 2022, the API launched a grant initiative for African artistes to provide them with a platform to showcase their art.in partnership with local African galleries.

Through this initiative, five Namibian artistes received US$2,000 each to fund new works that were showcased at the ‘Rising Voices’ exhibition held at the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) in Windhoek in August 2023.

This year, five Ghanaian artistes will be awarded up to US$2,000 each to pursue similar projects across the spectrum of visual arts and help artistes develop their skills and create new works of art.

Yaya Moussa, founder of Africa Prime and the Africa Prime Initiative, said: ‘Our mission is to give emerging African talent global visibility and ensure authentic African voices are well represented on the world stage.

‘We want to help
break down financial barriers that prevent African artists from realising their creative visions and show the world the significant contribution African art can make.’

Gallery Soview, an independent gallery in Accra, would gather submissions, support API, assess the merits of each application, and disburse the awarded funds.

Barbara Kokpavo Janvier, the gallery’s Founder and Director said, ‘Our mission goes beyond exhibiting artworks. We provide strategic support to artists: we guide, advise, and connect them with galleries, collectors, and influencers around the world.

‘Our ultimate goal is to enable our artists to make a sustainable living from their artistic work and contribute to the art ecosystem in and out of Africa. It is therefore with great enthusiasm that we are delighted to be partnering with API for this edition, which takes place in Ghana’.

The grants in Ghana will be the first disbursed by API, with projects in multiple other African countries to be announced in due course. To find out more
about the grants and the application process, visit @gallerysoview on Instagram and Facebook, or email [email protected].

Source: Ghana News Agency

The 25th edition of the Ghana Music Awards (GMA) anniversary launch and unveiling of nominees will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Grand Arena at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The road to the biggest music awards night in Ghana this year began on January 29, 2024, when a call was made to the industry and its stakeholders to submit their works from January 1 to December 31, 2023.

The response was overwhelming, with thousands of entries pouring in by the closing date of February 29, 2024.

On Thursday, the launch of the 25th anniversary of the awards will take centre stage, reminiscing about the vital role the awards scheme has played since 2000.

The objective of the awards scheme has been to identify, recognise, and reward outstanding achievements in the music industry.

The scheme is made up of an academy, which is made up of DJs, presenters, producers, and the like; a board, made up of industry experts; and the general public.

Also on the anniversary launch is the eagerly anti
cipated nominee unveiling by music enthusiasts and industry insiders.

Since the submission deadline, the board, research team, and the GMA secretariat have been diligently reviewing the works from 2023.

This process involves meticulous listening, reviews, and extensive analysis of data, lyrics, and production quality.

The nominees represent the best of the best in the various music categories in the industry, and unlike in past years, where it was done hour by hour, this year’s nominees will be unveiled at the event.

The night would be climaxed by the unveiling of the sponsors of the awards following the recent announcement of the name change from Vodafone to Telecel.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Multiple award-winning singer Article Wan has dropped his highly anticipated ‘Judge Me’ as he shares lessons learned in the music industry.

The new single, which is deeply personal, sees Article Wan unfolding some turn of events in his life with people being judgmental about his actions. 

The lyrics of the song thus provide some form of respite to people going through the same situation, showcasing the power of music to heal and unite people. 

‘Nobody superb, nobody perfect, nobody be saint, nobody 100% and nobody is too clean. Na who tell you say make you judge me, na you just dey vex me. My brother, don’t be quick to judge me…,’ excerpts of the lyrics say as Article Wan expresses his emotion.   

The music sensation on the new masterpiece goes on to express gratitude for a long and stellar life in an interesting storyline. 

 

Article Wan’s latest single celebrates life, blessings, and acknowledges the challenges that have led to the beautiful moments of stardom. 

  

The new single is currently availa
ble across various streaming platforms, with the video set to be released in the coming weeks.  

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, says local musicians need a domestic digital platform to distribute their music.

He said the convention where Ghanaian musicians distributed their music on international digital platforms did not yield the desired results of increased revenue.

The international digital platforms, he reiterated, were designed specifically to serve the countries in which they were made.

He said this during the Africa Music Business Dialogue, which was held in Accra.

He said it was imperative that the industry players within the music industry deliberated on how to develop localised distribution platforms specifically for the Ghanaian market.

‘I ask myself what percentage our musicians take from international digital platforms. If it is in Ghana that these musicians are getting this meagre money, then we complain, but since it is an international digital platform, we are excited. Even if it is lower, we will still distribute our songs on their platf
orms. We need our own platforms to distribute our music, and I think we need to have a conversation on how we can develop our own,’ he said.

African Music Business Dialogue is a yearly event that brings players in the music industry together to discuss the future of African music.

The event featured many activities, including an exhibition, panel discussions, workshops on the monetary aspect of the industry, and networking sessions.

Mr. Enoch Nana Yaw Oduro-Agyei, Founder of African Music Business Dialogue, in an address, called for a solution-based conversation to develop measures to address the challenges facing the music industry.

He urged the players in the industry to frequently educate themselves about the industry as trends in the industry kept changing.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The curtains were drawn on the 13th African Games staged in Accra, Saturday night, with thrilling performances from some of Africa’s finest artistes.

The closing ceremony held at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra was another colourful spectacle, as athletes from all over Africa marched around the tracks to bid farewell after competing in the games.

The ceremony was climaxed by series of musical performances, but it was Ghanaian artiste, Stonebwoy, who lit up the stage, leaving over 10,000 fans ecstatic.

His opening performance with the ‘Kpo Keke’ hit song brought the venue alive. The accompanying fireworks and lighting that made the performance a delight to watch.

The award-winning Ghanaian artiste performed a selection from his repertoire of hit songs, and a new single with Nigeria’s Odumodulvck, and then he signed off on an impressive fashion.

Africa’s music lioness, Wiyaala, opened her performance, exuding her unique energy, and got the fans cheering her on.

Cameroonian rapper Stanley Enow, wh
o was sharply dressed, also made his presence felt on stage, as did Congolese musician Innoss’B.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo congratulated all athletes who won medals for their countries, especially the Ghanaian contingent, who won 68 medals.

He also commended the hard work of the coaches, officials, and supporting staff for their invaluable role in ensuring the successful organisation of the games.

Meanwhile, the 13th African Games, which was acclaimed as one of the best to have been held in recent memory, saw the likes of Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa dominating the medal table.

Egypt will host the next African Games in 2027.

Source: Ghana News Agency