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Music Council of Ghana Punches Diana Hopeson – For Asking Critics to Stop Unnecessary Battle Over the GHC 2million Budget

Diana Hopeson

 

Per a copy of a statement GhanaCelebrities.Com has on our desk, the Music Council of Ghana MCG is not too happy with some comments former President of MUSIGA, Mrs. Diana Hopeson, made to a media house some weeks ago and has thus replied her.

Mrs. Hopeson had told Razz Newspaper that players in the industry should be mindful of the way they are calling on MUSIGA to account for the GHC 2m government budgeted for the creative art sector in its 2012 fiscal budget; because, the noise presents the industry as one made up of not too disciplined people and that could scare investors as well as the government from giving the industry another support in the future.

Below is the unedited copy of the rejoinder GhanaCelebrities.Com is privy to (unedited):

RE-JOINDER, MADAM EX – MUSIGA PREZ, COME AGAIN -says George William Dickson

It’s at times strange but yet true, that often those you expect to have set the records straight to settle the confusion dust will rather by their efforts cause people to become even more desperate to try and find out the source and cause of the dust themselves, by any means best known and convenient to them.

What is Mrs. Diana Hopeson, the immediate past president and Patron of MUSIGA saying? By her revelation to Razz Newspaper only a couple of weeks ago. And I quote “if the people in the industry don’t put a stop to the unnecessary battle over the 2 million Ghana Cedis given to the Creative Arts Industry by the government of Ghana in 2012.

It might affect the chances of the industry getting assistance from Government and other donors”. The ex-president by her submission is admitting probably for the first time unlike some of the other executives, that the 2 million Cedis whose disbursement and accountability has become “the folkland Islands” over which combatants in the industry are unnecessary fighting and killing themselves, was given to the Creative Arts Industry, and not solely to MUSIGA as a body even though they spearheaded the facilitating and acquisition process.

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SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD: A 28 Year Old Medical Student Auctions Her Virginity | With Current Highest Being $ $550,000

Elizabeth Raine
Elizabeth Raine

Over the last few years, we’ve heard of several women seeking to make quick buck with their virginity, offering virginity to the man who is ready to pay the highest—through open bid systems. Catarina Migliorini, a 20-year-old Brazilian student made headlines when she auctioned off her virginity for $780,000 .

A 28-year-old medical school student has also joined the train,  auctioning off her virginity on the internet which has already received bids as high as $550,000, as she reveals her face in an effort to attract more hefty offers.

The student, who is using the alias ‘Elizabeth Raine,’ launched her online auction on March 31 and initially hid her face to conceal her identity before later deciding it would help convince skeptical customers.

Just a week before bidding ends on May 7, the current top bid listed on her website is $550,000

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According to Huffington Post;

She was born in the southwest but spent much of her youth in Saudi Arabia where her father was employed in the oil industry.

Raine cites financial gain as the No. 1 reason for selling her alleged purity, but adventure, eroticism, scandal and the chance to challenge norms about virginity also play into her decision.

“I’ve been planning this for a year and I’ve had a personal transformation because of it,” she said. “I’m more educated about prostitution, virginity and slut-shaming.”

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Peace FM’s Kwasi Aboagye Assaulted By Fennec Okyere’s Family

Fennec Okyere and Wife
Fennec Okyere and Wife

It was sad and still remains sad that the wife of the late Fennec Okyere was not involved or allowed to even attend the funeral service of her husband, owing to the fact that the family are not on good terms with the wife…

It makes me question our sense of awareness as humans and whether we even understand our positions on this earth. Someone is dead, and you are fighting with another person—when you can also be gone tomorrow.

What is the essence of holding grudges? Should Fennec’s death not teach these people that, life is too and as such, spending time to hold grudges is pretty useless?

Anyway, according to NewsOne, Peace Fm’s Kwasi Aboagye who decided to find out on radio why Fennec’s wife was not allowed to attend the funeral service and was excluded from the planning was nearly beaten when he visited the family…

Read the full report below…

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It has been confirmed that Amarkie, the wedded wife of murdered artiste manager Fennec Okyere, was prevented from attending and partaking in the final funeral rites of her late husband.

It seems all is not well between the widow and the family of her late husband.

She was not allowed to see the corpse of her murdered husband and also prevented from taking part in his burial, memorial and thanksgiving services.

Though no official reason has been given for preventing Amarkie from playing her role as a widow, reports said Fennec’s family members had said they could not guarantee the widow’s security if she dared show her face at the funeral.

Though the family has not officially explained why they prevented a wedded wife from taking part in the funeral rites of her husband, a statement from Fennec’s funeral brochure accused her of abandoning Fennec while he was alive.

“His greatest wish was to have a loving family of his own because of his difficult early life, but this wish was never fulfilled, as his wife left him two months after their marriage and never returned to live in the matrimonial home till he died,” a portion of Fennec’s biography noted.

Interestingly, broadcast journalist Akwasi Abagye, host of the Entertainment Review on Peace FM, was assaulted by Fennec’s family members because he had raised the issue on his show.

“When I got to the house, I was talking to Fennec’s mother when his elder brother, the pastor, came around and told me he was not happy with me at all (apparently for giving the widow a chance to speak on my show).

“Suddenly, I was surrounded by about 50 family members who were all screaming on me, verbally assaulting me and saying all manner of things. One of them even poked a finger into my face, the finger hit my glasses but I kept my calm and I am sure they would have beaten me up if not for the younger ones who were around and restrained them,” Akwasi Aboagye told News-One.

Amarkie has a young son with Fennec and the couple had not divorced prior to Fennec’s death.

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Ghanaian Television/Radio Stations Don’t Pay Royalties – Hence Musicians Going Hungry

listening to music

 

A board member of the Ghana Music Right Organization GHAMRO, Mark Okraku Mantey, revealed on GHOne’s ‘The Pundits’ on Tuesday, 29th April, 2014 that most radio and television stations don’t log songs they play; talkless of paying royalties to the right owners – musicians.

Celebrated highlife musician Amakye Dede burst out some months ago and took on the executives of GHAMRO. Amakye Dede revealed that he was paid an amount of GHC 250 as his annual royalties after many years of singing and producing hit albums.

Next was young highlife musician, Kaakyire Kwame Fosu, popularly known in showbiz as K.K. Fosu had also descended on GHAMRO for not paying him royalties. In recent times, musicians such as T-Blaze, Kwabena Kwabena, Paedae of R2Bees, and Wanlov Kobolor have also added their voice to the royalty n0n-payment chorus.

When it comes to sources for royalty payment, they are simply enormous – hotels, banks, spinners, restaurants, drinking spots, events, clubs, etc. However, most of the aforementioned avenues are in the informal sector, hence, collecting royalties from them comes with many challenges.

However, the very formal and reliable sources GHAMRO can collect royalties for musicians are television and radio stations. Meanwhile, majority of these television and radio stations in Ghana don’t pay royalties.

Any time I listen to television and or radio and hear these very radio and television presenters host musicians who are angry at GHAMRO and thus use the air space to lambaste GHAMRO or they the presenters censor GHAMRO, I ask myself, where has conscience gone to in this world?

To those television and radio stations who posit that GHAMRO has not given them any logging sheets that is why they don’t pay royalties, my question to them is, does VAT officials come to your offices every month to threaten you to pay taxes?

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‘Children of Sodom’, A Short Film By York-Fabian Raabe is Going to the 67th Cannes Film Festival…Have Been Screened At Over 26 Film Festivals

Children of Sodom
Children of Sodom

Currently, there are between 30,000 and 50,000 street children living AT “Agbogbloshi” in Accra who know of nothing beyond struggling to live each day—with the hope of making it to the next.

Domestic violence, abandonment, death of parents or the hope for a better life are reasons, why they come to “Agbogbloshi” and in order to survive, the children take on several duties, including; collecting and sorting rubbish, begging or carrying goods across the market .

Due to the hazardous living conditions in Agbogbloshi, it received the nickname “Sodom and Gomorrah”. It is the lives of these children who have no voice and future—who society seems to have forgotten about that a Germany based film company-York-Fabian Raabe Filmproduktion has decided to consider in their latest short film-‘Children of Sodom’…

Directed by York-Fabian Raabe, the film takes a special conceptual approach into the lives of these children to showcase what a normal day looks like for them. The documentary separates the cinematic experience from its informative nature.

Talking about the concept behind the short film, the film-makers said; “The idea for this concept came us when we were shooting in Agbogbloshi. It was a very intense experience for us both physically and emotionally. This devastating, hopeless and hazardous place had its own special atmosphere that we tried to capture with our cameras.

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Some Female Ghanaian Celebrities Have NOTHING Doing With Their Lives & Wake Up Each Morning to Dress Up So to Take Photos for Instagram Uploads-INSIDER

Naa Ashorkor
Naa Ashorkor

It is no news that some of our female celebrities (in fact majority of them) have no real jobs or careers and are heavily living in delusion that reasonable persons cannot entertain.

Over the years, we’ve seen how many photos some of these celebrities upload on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms as part of their delusion and attempt to throw dust in the eyes of fans.

Ghanaian TV personality/Actress-Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku (who is a celebrity in our loose way of using the word like for the others) has come out to say; she knows of several Ghanaian celebrities who wake up each day, dress up when they have no where going—just to pose and take photos for instagram.

No wonder we see our so called celebrities posing randomly everywhere, near swimming pools when it is obvious they are not there to swim and even in public toilets.

We’ve said it several times and if you did not believe us, an INSIDER has confirmed this—and we certainly know those leading the camp of delusion.

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John Dumelo Calls Recent Story of Him Picking Shirley Frimpong Manso Over Leila Djansi BS | Says a Section of the Media is Just Planting Rivalry Between Shirley & Leila

Razz Newspaper

 

A false publication was as usual picked by several Ghanaian media outlets about a week ago, which stated among other things that Ghanaian actor-John Dumelo had picked Shirley Frimpong Manso over Leila Djansi—conjuring from the sky some sort of rivalry between the two film-makers…

According to today’s issue of Razz Newspaper which comes out every Wednesday (don’t forget to grab a copy), John Dumelo has called the story BS.

John Dumelo added that, it is just a “section of the Ghanaian media for trying to create rivalry between Shirley and Leila by twisting and reading meanings into a statement he made about Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s new film movie, Love Or Something Like That.”

Personally, I read some of these stories and I just SMDH. If John Dumelo has worked with a film-maker and he feels that his latest lead role is the best so far, what is that got to do with Leila Djansi? Has John Dumelo not equally worked with other film-makers like Abdul Sallam? So why did the story not say, John Dumelo picked Shirley Frimpong Manso over Abdul Sallam?

It doesn’t take a degree in mathematics to deduct that, John Dumelo will probably say his lead role with another film-maker is the best so far when that film is his latest and he is on a stage to help with publicity or promo for the movie. Geez!

Read below for the full report as captured by Razz Newspaper;

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Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo, has criticized a section of the Ghanaian media for trying to create rivalry between Shirley and Leila by twisting and reading meanings into a statement he made about Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s new film movie, ‘Love Or Something Like That.’

Just after the premiere of the movie, ‘Love Or Something Like That’ at the National Theatre last week which was heavily-attended by many including Hon. Oye Lithur and other dignitaries, John Dumelo made a categorical statement saying, “There is Hollywood, there is Bollywood and then there is Shirley Frimpong-Manso making Africa proud.”

According to him, after making that statement, a section of the media have decided to twist the statement and turn it round to make it look as if he has endorsed Shirley over Leila Djansi. He added that, the statement he made after the showing of the movie has nothing do with endorsing a particular filmmaker over the other.

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MUST WATCH VIDEO: LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT | What Those Who Have Seen the Movie Had to Say…

LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT premiere

 

Multiple award-winning film-maker-Shirley Frimpong Manso and her Sparrow Productions team premiered their latest movie-LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT few days ago at the National Theatre in Accra—and apart from the fact that the premiere was fully packed, patrons had a lot of great things to say about the movie.

I watched the movie over the weekend and wrote in my review that “though the theme of the script is set on ‘HIV/AIDS’, the film brilliantly tells the story in such a way that, it does not only steal the best part of your emotions—and it doesn’t do so by invoking ‘sorrowfulness’, but by making you consider the fact that there is unimaginable value in being self-conscious when it comes to sex”.

Surely, it wasn’t just me who noticed the excellence embedded in the production and how brilliant the film tackles the social issue of HIV/AIDS.

READ ALSO: My Thoughts on Shirley Frimpong Manso’s New Movie-LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT | A Failed Or Successful Attempt at Telling the HIV/AIDS Story?

LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT will be showing at the SilverBird Cinemas in Accra (Weija & Accra Mall) from 1st May, 2014…And you cannot miss it.

The movie features multiple award-winning Ghanaian actor-John Dumelo, Joselyn Dumas, Christabel Ekeh, Nigeria’s OC Ukeje, Nana Mensah and a host of other talented actors…

It is produced by Ken Attoh, Shirley Frimpong Manso and Joselyn Dumas—and directed by Shirley Frimpong Manso.

Watch the video below to see what those who attended the premiere had to say…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okcQ7iqvRiI

Also, check below for a scene from the movie

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Juliet Ibrahim Joins the Ghanaian Louis Vuitton Club | Hope She Didn’t Buy Hers From Yvonne Nelson

After receiving bashing from instagram fans that she is cheap for shopping at H&M few days ago, Juliet Ibrahim has decided to show those who said she is cheap that; she has expensive goodies too—-like a travel LV bag. From that distance, we cannot say for sure that it is real or fake…But what we … Read more

Do You Want to Know How Hard It is to Be a Female Ghanaian Celebrity? Watch This…

  Celebrated Ghanaian TV Presenter-Gifty Anti and rising TV personality/Actress Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku were on TV3’s Today’s Woman Show to talk about the life of being a female celebrity in Ghana—especially the expectations and the pressures. According to Gifty Anti, relying on people for acceptance is the wrong thing and for Naa Ashorkor, female celebrities … Read more

DID YOU KNOW THAT: Mosquitoes and Snails Are The World’s Deadliest Animals & Not Sharks Or Snakes?

Mosquito Isolated on White

 

Though it is statistically obvious from the number of deaths, many of us think of snakes, sharks, lions and other animals with large teeth and fearsome reputations as the world’s deadliest killers.

Considering the number of deaths these fearsome and wild animals cause compared to the little ones around us, the world deadliest animals are definitely the little ones

Malaria, which is among the diseases carried by mosquitoes, kills more than 600,000 people a year, while 200million people suffer from it on a daily basis – far more than unfortunate individuals that are bitten by crocodiles or wolves.

On the other hand, Sharks kill just 10 people a year, lions 100 and crocodiles 1,000, despite having among the most fearsome reputations.

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FIPAG Members To Boycott Ghana Movie Award – Says They Won’t Send Their Movies For Nomination

Fred Nuamah, Founder of Ghana Movie Awards
Fred Nuamah, Founder of Ghana Movie Awards

Confirmed report from the President of the Film Producers Association of Ghana FIPAG to GhanaCelebrities.Com has it that, members of the association, wants to stop participating – sending their movies for nomination, in the aforementioned movie award scheme.

This news has actually been a silent grapevine for more than six months now, since Mr. Hackman Asare, President of FIPAG, took charge of the office as its President. Recently, GhanaCelebrities.Com gathered that a meeting was held in Kumasi and under the meeting, some members of the association, called for a total boycott of Ghana Movie Award.

For confirmation or otherwise, GhanaCelebrities.Com contacted Mr. Hackman and he said “yes, it’s true our members are agitating for such an action. They want to boycott the award. They don’t want to be part of it, as in send their movies for nomination; so we the executives of the association are also going to sit down to consider their concerns.

Also, we shall be organizing our own film award. We are still working on the modalities. The award will not be organized by FIPAG, because we are not event organizers, but we shall contract a third party company to do the organization. We shall surely organize our own award. That I can assure you.”

Reasons given by some of the members of FIPAG as GhanaCelebrities.Com scooped, alleges that Fred Nuamah is taking the image of Ghana’s movie industry for granted. They say Fred does not respect the filmmakers. He organizes the award shabbily. They also opined that Fred does not involve them properly in the organization of the award.

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Announcing Commercial Break is Unprofessional, STOP IT – KKD Advised But It’s Still Going On

KKD
KKD

“We are taking a short commercial break and we would be right back,” this is what we often hear on most Ghanaian radio and television mediums, but, the experts says in broadcasting, commercial breaks are not announced.

Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, popularly known in showbiz circles as KKD once revealed on ‘Allo-Tigo’ an entertainment show on Metro TV and hosted by the defunct womanizer, Jon German, that, it is unprofessional to announce commercial break in broadcasting – television or radio.

“The commercial break is part of the show, so why re-announce it every short while. It’s wrong! In broadcasting, we don’t announce commercial breaks.” KKD explained. Jon German who has over 10 years experience in broadcasting, did the honorable thing by admitting that he has never heard or read about such tenet in broadcasting.

Indeed, on that day, Jon, who is used to this unprofessional proclivity, announced his commercial breaks whiles KKD was still on the show as a guest and had to lightly apologize. Jon announced his commercial break twice to the viewer whiles KKD shook his head in disappointment.

“Boss the thing we say am aa…..but I will learn to change. It’s a matter of time and discipline” Jon Germane said. Till date, I watch ‘Allo-Tigo’ and still, Jon Germane announces commercial break after having been informed by a fellow broadcasting comrade to do the right thing.

Veteran broadcaster, Tommy Annan Forson, who has over 30 years experience in the game, also once advised same. When Uncle Tom – as Tommy Annan Forson is fondly known, was asked why it is wrong for a broadcaster to announce commercial break and what should the broadcasters do instead, this is what he shared.

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BG: Beyonce and JayZ Are Going on A Tour Together-On The Run

Beyonce and Jay-Z Tour

From BeyondGossip.Com

Get hold of your wallets because the Carters are coming for you—of course, in return, they will give you great performances that you would never forget.

What started as rumours some weeks ago has been confirmed today- Beyonce and Jay-Z are going on a tour together and one thing we know for sure is, the bus won’t have any weed on there.

Also we know for a fact that, the 16-date stadium tour-On The Run, will start off in Miami, Florida and end at San Francisco CA, AT&T Park.

The tour begins on June 25 in Miami and will run through August 5. Pre ticket sale starts tomorrow…

Check out the Tour Dates below…

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MUST WATCH VIDEO: The Ultimate Classic | Watch Nana Mensah At Her Best in LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

Yesterday, I published my honest thoughts on Shirley Frimpong Manso’s latest movie-LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT in which I stated that, Nana Mensah (Asantewaa) was amazing… In the review, I mentioned inter alia that, “on a lighter note, I thought Nana Mensah was type-casted for the role (from African City). She was mainly the usual … Read more

We Are Giving Away 4 VIP & 6 Standard Tickets to GHANA MEETS NAIJA Concert | Enter to WIN A Free Ticket Now…

Ghana Meets Naija 2014 (2)
Ghana Meets Naija 2014

The biggest Concert on the Ghanaian event calendar-Ghana Meets Naija will return on 24th May, 2014 at the Accra International Conference Centre—and to thrill music lovers with great performances are; Sarkodie, Guru, Castro, Davido, Kcee, Wizboyy and several others. We hear Asamoah ‘BabyJet’ Gyan will even mount the stage with Castro, in attempt to beat Nigeria to the game.

Courtesy of Empire Entertainment, the organizers of the annual mega concert, GhanaCelebrities.Com is giving out 4 VIP & 6 Standard tickets to our valued readers to freely step out on the day of the event at no cost, and enjoy a night of great musical performances from some of African’s greatest artistes.

Who takes home the champion belt? Ghana or Nigeria? With Sarkodie leading a host of talented Ghanaian artistes, it seems Ghana has a home advantage but as usual, Davido is one hell of stage rocker who can stand alone to the Ghanaian forces…

I flew in from London last year just to attend the Ghana Meets Naija concert and after the event, I wrote; “I think I am not far from right if I call ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ the highest, the hippest and probably the hoppest concert on the Ghanaian event calendar. It has rejuvenated that special thing about African music—-hitting you hard with no pain.

Without any doubt, the organizers have successful redefined how music and performance should be delivered at African concerts—making it more fun, secured, comfortable and extensively interactive with incredible social media participation.

Quick and ahead of their competitors, they’ve realized the power and meaning of social media interactions.”

This year’s edition of Ghana Meets Naija; if anything all will see an improvement—meaning, the fun and energy can’t be contained. There is a reason it is called a MEGA CONCERT.

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The Jury of the 67th Festival de Cannes Revealed…

Cannes Jury

 

The New Zealand director, producer and screenwriter Jane Campion, winner of the Palme d’or for The Piano, will be the President of the Jury of the 67th Festival de Cannes. Cannes has always sought to adopt a universal and international approach, and in tune with this tradition, Campion will be surrounded by eight luminaries of world cinema, from China, Korea, Denmark, Iran, the United States, France and Mexico.

As in 2009 the Jury will therefore include five women and four men. Their task will be to decide between the 18 films in Competition in order to select the winners – to be announced on stage at the ceremony on Saturday 24th May. The winner of the Palme d’or will be screened during the Festival’s closing evening on Sunday 25th of May, in the presence of the Jury and the entire team of the winning film.

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Celebrity Instagram & Twitpics of the Week: Menaye Donkor, Efya, Yvonne Okoro, Joselyn Dumas, Shirley Frimpong Manso, John Dumelo & Others…

Efya
Efya

Efya was looking stunning in the above dress—and she had every reason to share a photo. Though we feel the chest was a little bit exposed, the cleavage exposure which went deep into her boob did not take away the fact that she was looking gorgeous.

John Dumelo, Shirley Frimpong Manso and Joselyn Dumas were in Kumasi over the weekend to show their latest movie-LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT at KNUST, and before jumping on the plane, they shared a SELFIE.

Eazzy is still rocking her braids and she is looking cute with it….

Menaye Donkor, Nana Ama McBrown, Yvonne Okoro and others shared some interesting photos too.

Check them out below…

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DID YOU KNOW THAT: First Born Females Are More Likely to Succeed?

angry-black-woman

 

It seems like if you are a firstborn and you happen to be a woman, you have a good start of life, when it comes to being successful.

According to to a study, it’s no coincidence that some of the world’s most powerful women fall into that category.

The research shows that firstborn girls are statistically more likely to be the most highly qualified of all their family. They are 13 per cent more ambitious then firstborn sons, according to a study conducted by the University of Essex.

Now if you are the firstborn of you parent, you are on the high road to making it great—at least the odds are in your favour.

So J.K. Rowling, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé – all the eldest children in their families – were born with a greater chance of becoming high achievers. And it is not just share luck…

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My Thoughts on Shirley Frimpong Manso’s New Movie-LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT | A Failed Or Successful Attempt at Telling the HIV/AIDS Story?

Love or Something Like That111
Shirley Frimpong Manso’s New Movie-Love or Something Like That

After my usual weekend Kung-fu movie, I had the opportunity to watch the new Shirley Frimpong Manso movie-LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT and I will start by saying; that it’s a significant story of life that is well tackled.

I am not a keen proponent of the assumption that every story has been told—but I certainly believe that, a story is only good when the storyteller is exceptionally passionate about the subject matter and has priceless cause of telling that particular story—which is to make a realistic impact.

I have long predicted and in a way hoped for a change in the improbable manner the African HIV/AIDS story has been told by many African film-makers. Interestingly, Shirley Frimpong Manso has taken up the challenge to tell the story in a way that is pulsing to the heart—and captivating to the mind in her latest movie-LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I am yet to meet a single person who is not a party to the general consensus that education on HIV/AIDS in Africa, though has improved over the years, continues to be largely ineffective—and apart from blaming certain religious teachings such as “Aids is bad but not as bad as the use of condoms” for the ineffective outreach, the architecture employed for the purpose of mass education on this diabolical disease seems not to be working.

Many movies and documentaries have taken up the subject of creating HIV/AIDS awareness and in doing so; have failed to make impact with their messages simply because of the manner in which the stories are told—without substantially taking into consideration the societal changes and mannerisms that cannot be ignored in order to bring the story to the hearts of the receivers.

The Storyline & the Pace

Though the theme of the script is set on ‘HIV/AIDS’, the film brilliantly tells the story in such a way that, it does not only steal the best part of your emotions—and it doesn’t do so by invoking ‘sorrowfulness’, but by making you consider the fact that there is unimaginable value in being self conscious when it comes to sex.

Just like most well put together HIV/AIDS stories or films which take the bold approach into exploring the issues of life-threatening diseases like Cancer, the film is filled with emotions. In fact, the film which at large is themed on HIV/AIDS faintly deals with Cancer, without necessarily losing sequence and direction.

I’ve seen several African film-makers and even those outside Africa taking up the HIV/AIDS story from different angels and worldview, but this knocks me at home and presents a far better realistic way of how events unfold when the unwanted subject of HIV/AIDS finds its way into an African marriage/relationship.

Without giving much away, I must say the film starts on a very slow note—which I believe was deliberately set to pull viewers into seeing the existing love, affection and sense of belonging that existed between John Dumelo’s character-Mr Walker and his wife-Joselyn Dumas (Kwarley Mettle).

Soon as the foundation of love and bond between the above two are visibly established, the film begins to speed up—but not as much as I would have preferred. Surely, watching the movie immediately after a Kung-fu movie may have caused a heightened adrenaline, probably, the reason why I found it slow.

Music

It is obvious Shirley Frimpong Manso and her team understood the nature and emotions involved in the story being told. Sparrow Productions’ films have always made good use of a collection of African songs but mostly, these songs compliment scenes or add that extra bit of entertainment to the movies while pulling back your attention.

However, the songs used in LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT went beyond the usual, the songs stabilized the emotionally filled story—-bumping up the pace and dropping in the needed energy intermittently.

I’m not the type to hear a track and jump up to dance but even though I was fully submerged in the ‘rough emotional journey’ the film was taking me, when the songs which were from the likes of Raquel, Okyeame Kwame and Efya were dropped, I caught myself immersed in the music—for a minute, and then the story hits back to the emotion.

To me, the interruption of the emotional ‘downs’ by these carefully selected songs make the viewer stay put as a viewer and not become a sympathiser, thereby, taking in the lessons and education/awareness the story is creating. If that is what the film-makers wanted to do, then it was perfectly achieved. If that wasn’t it—-I would proudly say, so was the effect for me.

Acting

When you have A-listers like John Dumelo, Joselyn Dumas and OC Ukeje championing a story and delivering their lines, backed by many years of experience under the directorship of a multiple-award winning director-Shirley Frimpong Manso, you should not expect less—because you won’t even get that if you wished for it.

The acting was outstanding—and I say this because none of the scenes throws a taint at the story, which would make you question any part of the delivery.

When emotions were involved, Joselyn Dumas was great at showing that, and it could just be that she was living her role—as she seems naturally emotional.

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Tickets Are Out for the 2014 Edition of the MEGA CONCERT-Ghana Meets Naija | Grab Yours Quick…

The annual mega concert-Ghana Meets Naija which will witness great performances from Sarkodie, Castro, Guru, Davido, Kcee, Wizboyy and several talented Ghanaian and Nigeria musicians will be held on Saturday 24th May 2014 at the Accra International Conference Centre—and we cannot wait. Over the years, the Concert which has seen massive patronage have left several … Read more

Charterhouse – VGMA Does Not Care About Public Votes – Controversial Roro Alleges

VGMA 2014
VGMA 2014

Controversial but respected Ghanaian sound engineer, Roro Buddy, has opined that Charterhouse, organizers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Award VGMA do not take into consideration, votes/text from the public in determining who wins what in the award scheme.

Roro seems to have lots of issues with happenings in our showbiz industry lately. He came out some weeks ago to posit that the latest single ‘Selfie’ released by then VIP now VVIP is a substandard song and that he is highly disappointed. “The song is technically not good. It’s not well mixed and thus full of noise” Roro Buddy posited.

The latest shocker from his camp is an allegation that Charterhouse does not take into consideration, votes/text from the public in determining who wins what in the award scheme. According to Roro “who says Charthouse cares about your votes? They do what they like. Just get closer to them then you are assured of an award. With them anything is possible.”

Roro’s comments came in just after the organization of this year’s VGMA Industry Award on Saturday 26th April, 2014 at Alisa Hotel. Many are those who are surprised that gospel musician O.J did not win – with his song ‘May3s3 mo p3n’ the ‘Songwriter of the Year’ slot, but lost it to Bisa K. Dei – with the song ‘Baba.’ That might have precipitated Roro’s comments.

For education purpose, Charthouse has no hand in votes the public cast for the VGMA – at least that is what we all know all these years. Internationally respected research firm, KPMG, is the event statisticians for the award scheme. They always present the sealed results of the VGMA winners on stage – in the full glare of the public.

With their longstanding credibility and integrity, hardly can one cast dubiety on their professional works. Never has the media or any court, found them guilty of unprofessionalism bordering on their works with or for third parties who engage their services.

To those who always kvetch over who should have won what in the VGMA, the slogan we have all come to accept and understand is “did you vote?” If you (musician) and your fans failed to vote for you so you could not win, shut up! Besides, the Industry Award aspect of VGMA is not determined by public vote but by the VGMA Board and Academy so Roro got it all mixed up.

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French Mother Denied Entry into the United States For Family Holiday Because ‘the Name on Her Passport Sounds Like Al Qaeda’

French passport

 

It looks like we have to be careful with the names we give to our children or re-access our own given names—if we are going by what recently happened to a French Mother who wanted to travel to the United States…

A French mother scheduled to fly to New York via Switzerland for a holiday with her husband and two children but she was denied entry to the United States, seemingly because her name sounds suspiciously like Al Qaeda.

Aida Alic travelled to at Geneva airport on Wednesday to connect to JFK but shockingly, she was told by Swiss Airlines officials that her access to the country had been denied.

It looks like she was placed on the US no-fly list and she had no option than to cancel their trip and return to their house near Chambery in the French Alps.

It wasn’t until the 33-year-old got home and started googling for answers that she realized her name appears surname first on her passport and reads ‘Alic Aida’.

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Full List of 2014 VGMA Industry Award Winners…

VGMA 2014
VGMA 2014

 

Last night, a ceremony was held at Alisa Hotel in Accra to announce and hand-out plaques for the 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Award’s industry award winners.

The event which was attended by several Ghanaian music industry personalities saw Kwabena Kwabena, Joyce Blessing, Bisa Kdei and others going home as winners…

Check out the full list of the winners below

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THE BIG QUESTION: Broke Men Don’t Cheat?

black woman

 

A lot of men cheat, that is common knowledge. Although we know women also cheat but that is on a lower scale than men and besides, men flaunt it more and make it cause too much drama.

Over the years, women have been racking their minds to find out just why men cheat so they can stop it and put an end to one of their main sources of heartbreak but to no avail. Since most women discuss their heartbreak with each other, I sat down with some female friends this week to discuss cheating boyfriends. But it just took a funny turn from tears to an interesting debate.

My girl has dated a man for eight good years and we were all jealous of her relationship because her boyfriend seemed to have it all. Tall, handsome, a rich doctor with a huge house and a good background who happened to also be an American living in Ghana… Then they broke up out of the blue. My friend insists he was a serial cheat. A professional player who was cheating on her with dozens of women and even went to the extent of beating her up. That was the final straw that made her walk out of the relationship.

I was mortified. The man looked like perfection, how did he wind up being the worse thing to ever happen to her? What exactly do men want to stop them from cheating on a good, successful woman?

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