CHRIS-VINCENT Writes! – Page 42 – GhanaCelebrities.Com

The Work Culture of Ghanaian Students | Why Don’t Most Ghanaian University Students Work?

06/1/2014 10:05 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

A few years ago when I was an undergraduate student, I had friends who were also studying in Ghana frequently asking me to send them some little cash—because things were tough for them as students.

This is a case of one student at different part of the world asking another student to chip in some coins to relieve him of his financial struggles. Those I could help, I did and those I couldn’t, I had to constantly remind them that I was a student just like them, depending on a part time job.

I didn’t understand and still do not understand why most Ghanaian University students do not have part time jobs, which can go a long way to put some money in their pockets—just like most students in Europe and America do.

From College to University, I did several jobs—-I worked at Argos, Mataland, Marriot Hotel and I remember working at Hotel Chocolate one summer. I did not only have a job during school breaks, though I worked more than the usual when on vacation. Most College and University students like me did and continue to do the same. I had several friends who worked at Costa Coffee, Starbucks, TopShop, KFC, Nandos, Marks and Spencer and other places…

Working as a student in Europe and America has become a tradition, with most of the workers at Footlocker, Sports Direct, H&M and other shops being mostly students. In fact, not having a job as a student goes against the norm—students do all these jobs to help develope a working culture and more importantly, to have some extra cash to support their own offside activities.

However, when it comes to Ghana, you will hardly find a Legon student working at on the RUN, Melcom or any of those shops—simply because they think they are above working at these places. With a lot of time on their hands each weekend, you find students doing literally nothing—except to chat from morning to evening.

It’s not just Legon students but throughout the country, students have this mindset that all what a student has to do is to study and that working in any of those retail outlets, fast food restaurants, filling stations among others are well beneath their standards. Even if these students do not need the little cash that they will get from working at these places, what about the need to develop a working culture and be able to develop the required work ethics during studies?

Recently, I listened to a programme on BBC Radio 4 on which an American professor spoke about her research, saying, affluent students in America are all over the country working in Starbucks, Footlocker and other places. Considering their background, she decided to find out why these students who did not actually need the peanuts they were being paid were so dedicated and eager to work at these places—sometimes forgoing classes to even go to work.

The long and short of the above is that, even those students who do not really need the money or care less about the pay in the West are still working, occupying their weekends and nights with jobs while poorer students in Africa have develop this huge EGO—which places them above having a part time job at some of the most common places around.

WTF: Nigerian Director Physically Assaults Ghanaian Actress-Nuong Faalong on Set

05/28/2014 5:48 pm

by GC Staff Tisha

On the morning of Monday, 26th May 2014 at about 12 noon, I was reliably informed that actress Nuong Faalong also known as Edith Faalong had walked off the set of a popular series and terminated her contract with the production company.

She left the set in tears after the director of the series -Prince Amuni Gbenga a Nigerian had barged into her private room while she was in her underwear and proceeded to manhandle her resulting in her sustaining a cut and swollen upper lip.

Luckily for the actress, she was not alone in the hotel room. Her room-mate who was asleep in the bed, got up just in time to save her from further assault as the rest of the cast and crew also rushed into the room to restrain the director.

When we spoke to the actress, she said she had reported the incident to the Dansoman Police headquarters and the said director had been summoned pending investigations.

As to whether she would complete the job, she said, “My welfare is paramount and the production cannot guarantee that presently”

What annoys us most about this incident is why a director will think he has so much power over an actress such that he can go as far as physically abusing her without fear and in front of another person? Does he think he is really too invincible to be dealt with?

REVIEW: ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ is Undoubtedly the Best, But…

05/27/2014 8:06 am

by GC Staff bG

Empire Entertainment has done it again; raising the bar so high every event organiser in Ghana will struggle to catch up. They have proven to the world what they are capable of doing best.

The much talked about and biggest event on the Ghanaian musical event calendar took place last Saturday (24th May, 2014) at the Accra International Conference Centre. Various parts of the capital city experienced massive traffic jam as a result of uncountable number of people who were finding their way to get to the venue.

Hype Before the Event

I wouldn’t be charged with providing any false information to the public if I confidently say ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ was, and will forever be the most advertised event on the Ghanaian entertainment calendar. Its news was felt by each and everyone just like we all feel air as living beings.

The online community, print, and broadcast media were all used to publicize this great event (something that most event organisers lack). With the kind of hype this event received prior to the D – day, I wouldn’t be surprised if other event organisers contact the head of publicity at Empire Entertainment for some helpful advice from now onwards. I give them A+ just for this.

The team understands the importance of effective publicity. To the penny-pinching event organisers who wish not to spend money on publicity, yet want to gain from their events, please take a clue from how ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ was hyped and its outcome.

Of course, GhanaCelebrities.Com led the online campaign with thought provoking articles—and we are glad the event was such a GREAT success…

Attendance

The effect of what has been discussed above (Publicity) was felt on Saturday night. Nobody needed the services of Ghana Statistical Service to do some general counting before we got to realise lots of people attended this mega concert. It was visible to all.

Information that came from the camp of Empire Entertainment had it that tickets were sold out before Saturday. All of us present can corroborate to that assertion because of what our eyes saw. No seat was left unoccupied.

Even though tickets were sold out and the hall was full, people outside the Accra International Conference Centre without tickets were eager to get tickets and enter as if they were going to watch a rematch of Bukom Banku and Ayitey Powers’ bout.

When placed on a weighing scale, those without tickets who wanted access to the hall could outweigh the patrons inside. This alone ought to inform you how majority of Ghanaians, as well as non – Ghanaians, trooped in to the venue for the 4th edition of ‘Ghana Meets Naija’.

PHOTOS + VIDEO: My First Exclusive Cannes PARTY At Magnum Beach & Kylie Minogue PERFORMED!

05/22/2014 1:38 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

Apart from the red carpet glamour and the various artistic movies-both feature and short that are associated with the Cannes Film Festival, the parties out here are CRAZY—especially the exclusive parties.

The famous Magum company behind Magum Ice cream is 25 years old and in marking this milestone, they put together an invitation only party today—and my new buddy- York Fabian Raabe (the film-maker) managed to get my fiancée-SassyChic and I into the party.

It was more than a party full of drinks, tuxedos and gorgeously dressed women. Australian popstar-Kylie Minogue was out there—and she actually performed several of her songs to explode things.

Thanks to York and his friends for the invitation!

Check out the photos below…

What We Can All Learn from BullDog’s Arrest in Connection with Fennec Okyere’s Death + How He Threatened Me Some Years Back

05/17/2014 9:30 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

Just like most industry persons, I was hit with shock far out here in Southern France-Cannes when I had a call from Ghana that, Bulldog (real name Lawrence Nana Asiama Hanson) had been arrested by the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service in connection to Fennec Okyere’s untimely death…

Being a Ghanaian with extensive legal knowledge, I know how the Ghanaian police work—mostly pushing far than they are legally permitted to do. In fact, I’ve just heard that Bulldog is being taken to court on Monday.

Criminal Law in itself is a complex aspect of law and I do not want to dig into it very much with this article. In situations like this, Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter, Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony Murderand ‘Conspiracy to Commit Murder’ are some of the areas the police may be looking at in relation to Bulldog’s arrest. But the question is, do they have enough evidence to pin down the needed mens rea (intent) and actus reus (actual action) on Bulldog?

I will not shocked if Bulldog is released without charge—what is also highly probable is that, he may be charged but the police may not be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he actually killed Fennec or conspired to have him killed.

Let’s leave behind the above and look at what I want us to learn from Bulldog’s arrest. I have never met Bulldog before but I’ve spoken to him over the phone, listened to him and watched him speak on several platforms—sometimes, throwing unnecessary threats all over. He is not alone in this, most Ghanaians do the same and to be frank, most people who throw out threats do not have the intent to commission the crime. At this stage, we should not forget that threat alone can constitute a crime…

On the night of 26 November, 2010, I received a call from Bulldog who introduced himself as Lawrence (the manager of Confidence Haugen) following an article we published on GhanaCelebrities.Com.

Bulldog had called me all the way from Ghana to threaten me not to write anything unfavourable about Confidence Haugen the brand and that he was instructed by Confidence Haugen to do so. (I wrote an article on this issue, CLICK HERE to read it)

Bulldog was extensively aggressive on the phone but that did not actually worry me. I just could not understand why he was making all those threats since I had the right to express my honest opinion on a public figure, who he claimed at the time to be representing.

The distance and the way Bulldog spoke on the phone was an indication that, he just wanted to please his client-Confidence Haugen and in fact, carrying out his threat was an impossibility, so even though I wanted to report it to the police, I just took it as one of those Ghanaian threats.

Eazzy is Still Talking CRAP That She is NOT BLEACHING…

05/14/2014 9:46 pm

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

Though poorly written, Eazzy has taken to her facebook to pour out one hell of a long message—all to say, she is NOT BLEACHING and we are all dumb to say she is doing so.

She claims she is somehow using filters to twist the minds of her fans and those of us accusing her of bleaching. But the fact is, people have seen her recently in flesh and they all say, home girl is bleaching…

This girl is really talking a lot about this bleaching thing—and the only time someone does this, is when the person is actually guilty as accused.

Eazzy, the long messages will not help in anyway. Just stop bleaching and everyone will stop talking about it. Has anyone come out to accuse Sarkodie or Ama K. Abebrse of bleaching? So why you?

Anyway, read Eazzy’s long message below…

I am rushing through with this post because I just checked into a hotel in the middle of no where in France. I don’t even know where I am now but I will figure out how far I am from Cannes tomorrow morning…

Continue reading after the cut

Open Letter to Charter House: Learn to Take Honest Criticisms in Good Faith & End the Propaganda Hogwash

05/8/2014 11:26 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

Dear Charter House,

I am not even going to ask how you are doing after the appalling organization of the 15^th edition of the Ghana Music Awards over the weekend. I am certain the aftershock is still trending and you are probably deeply embarrassed with your own exhibited incompetence which some of us honestly brought to your attention.

Following my honest review (which in fact is my first on any of your events), I’ve been told the underlying truth and your ‘self-disappointment’ have pushed you into pushing a whole new level of propaganda hogwash against my person.

I’ve heard that, from the highest person on your chain of leaders to the lowest, the ongoing talk is that, I hate Charter House and I’ve not written anything good about the entity—-instead of taking my review in good faith and fixing the mentioned issues which were noticed by thousands of Ghanaians who watched and followed the event.

Touting me as a hater in order to hide your shame and not face reality is not much of a shock to me. In fact, it is a common African trait which many employ when they are criticized, and I’ve seen that enough to be able to distinguish between what is ‘hating and what is hard but honest truth’.

The most shocking ‘rhetoric’ of the hogwash propaganda from your offices is the fact that, your organisation is intentionally confusing me with someone (that is even if any person fits the accusation) or intentionally peddling outrageous lies based on non-existing precious cause of dealing with me.

I’ve been made to understand that, some very senior persons at Charter House are saying, they once asked me to do some work for them in relation to Miss Malaika and I said “No, I won’t do it because I do not work for Nigerians”. And since then, I’ve always written unfavourable articles about Charter House.

To be frank, the above is not only absurd but also childish, and exudes nothing less of unintelligent stand point.

First of all, I do not live in Ghana and I’ve never worked or been contacted to do any work for Charter House. Whoever contacted me must be a ghost. I have 6 writers in Ghana who are exceptionally professional and well educated beyond this—and I believe none of them will ever throw out such gibberish too…

Secondly, I live in multicultural Britain and have a network of Nigerians within my field of work. I work for some, others work for me and we work alongside each other sometimes.

Thirdly, until the above information got to me, I did not know Charter House was a Nigerian company. Excuse my ignorance but from my many years of legal education, I’ve come to understand that a company has an independent personality, separated from its Directors- I think I should help you with where the principle comes from—Solomon v A Solomon & Co Ltd.

I know for a fact that the people on top of Charter House’s hierarchy are Nigerians but from my education, this does not make Charter House a Nigerian company. It is therefore unfounded for whatever person out there at Charter House to distort my honest review of your event with such a baseless accusation.

Ghana is Hard | ‘Plenty Cry No Action’

05/8/2014 5:05 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

There is no day I will not hear the phrase ‘Ghana is hard or things are hard here in Ghana’ when I place calls to friends and family currently living in Ghana. Even if I attempt to escape hearing this by dodging the phone calls—not because I do not care but because I cannot do much to redeem the situation, I still get to read similar phrases on social media by several Ghanaians.

With the country plunged in increasing economic hardship, being wheeled by ‘galloping’ inflation (used for absence of a better word), citizens are indeed finding times hard and the government seems to be equally struggling.

Despite the fact that I feel the incumbent government has a series of on-going misplaced priorities that need to be re-evaluated and resources redirected to ease the amassing hardship being suffered by the people, I also feel the crying has become too much and appropriate actions must be taken to put the government on its toes.

Are Ghanaians saying they will continue to cry out from their bedrooms and send countless short social media messages, hoping the government hears them and respond drastically to their plights so to find the much needed solution to their accumulating problems?

If for many months, the ‘plenty cry’ is not working, why not consider other appropriate avenues so that you can be heard? By this, I am talking about throwing stones at government officials or orchestrating doctored tapes for propaganda and shaming purposes. I am talking about considering some of the old forms of being heard and having issues urgently attended to.

By this, I mean the ‘plenty cry’ must end since it has been fruitless. It is time those who are crying from their bedrooms come out and seek the appropriate permissions to demonstrate in high numbers—so that their struggles will be given the needed attention and urgency.

Interestingly, while mass non-violent demonstration continues to be an effective tool in the West, for making strong statements and demanding actions from political leaders, this seems to have lost its prominence in the minds of Ghanaians.

If there is a perceived grievance or any form of increasing ‘injustice’ like being cried by Ghanaians—and after many months of social media and bedroom yells things are still getting worse, I believe it is time to forget the scorching sun and take to the street, peacefully.

If the ‘plenty cry’ of economic hardship is unaffected, then all must be feeling the burn irrespective of political affiliation or ideological stand. Therefore, it is time the political or whatever existing divide that exists is shaded off, so that there can be a unanimous loud shout for the government which can be rightly described as deaf (in relation to the on-going cries) to hear and take the needed pressing actions.

My Thoughts on 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | And We’ve Been Doing this for 15 Years?

05/4/2014 10:35 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

I hate to review Ghanaian events and this is simply because my out of the box experience and expectations far out-run what is mostly delivered. And the unsustainable argument ‘this is a Ghanaian standard’ has been overused so do not invoke it this time again—it doesn’t work.

My revulsion becomes even higher if there are ‘no obvious financial constraints’ and when after many years, organizers cannot bring themselves to catch up with the existing global excellence. Who repeats the same mistakes over and over—-except Charter House and Ghanaians…

The 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards was not completely catastrophic but considering the many years that the event has been hosted, Charter House could have given us something deserving of applauds. This, they could have simply achieved by drawing the lines where they were supposed to be—and not allow artistes and certain people to run the show like their personal outdooring event.

The Stage Design

Watching this from home, the stage reminded me of the early discotheque days, with lights which were often—though not true, considered as having a possibility of inviting epilepsy. It was not therefore shocking when several people on social media kept talking about how those lights could possibly blind someone.

It was an award show and not a rock concert. We understand these lights add some sort of ‘beauty’ to stage performances but I felt they were too much, too bright and served as take-away instead of add-on.

I do acknowledge there is not much of flexibility out there when it comes to stage designs and as such, mounting platforms in Ghana, in our tight and somewhat fixed auditoriums comes with the greatest conundrum of our time but we have control over what we put up there—and these lights must be cut down.

Remember it was Ghana Music Awards and not Ghana Rock Concert with the 80’s appeal!

Artistes Performances

This was where many of us kept asking; what is going on and who was in charge of time. Must every Ghanaian artiste perform at the Ghana Music Awards and by this I mean, the number of performers and the time they spent on stage trying their luck with the live band or lip-synching their way through became a pain instead of the projected thrill.

Look, at such awards night, the performance list should be cut to a maximum of 5 and these selected few should be those who could set the place on fire, musically. We couldn’t provide great entertainment and I would be worried if we were asked to be in-charge of fire extinguishers so I mean, those who could have thrown out some decent but electrifying performances.

And it seems Charter House knew those who could have rocked the stage but simply ignored them—and decided to try their luck by overfeeding us with poorly cooked food. Let me be forward with this, Shatta Wale should have performed and if he wanted to fly a Private Jet to the Conference Centre, he should have been given that because patrons would have gotten their money worth.

And those of us who watched it FREE would have traded our good night sleep for something well-meaning. Forget Shatta Wale’s absurd ethics and demands; he should have been brought in—-even if it meant that Davido and Iyanya were to be cut off. After all, the latter was a complete disappointment.

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?

04/27/2014 10:47 pm

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

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.

Being an African Celebrity SUCKS! Especially When There is No Answer to the Conundrum

04/26/2014 3:00 pm

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

Over the years, I’ve dealt with several African celebrities who put up smiles for the camera—and when the lights are off and they are found lone ranging in their beds, hard reality hits them, mostly struggling to cope with the same status we so much adore them for…

The above conundrum which runs through the minds of most African celebrities does not just rests with them at night, but daily, they ‘nicodemously’ struggle to cope with the expectations of being a celebrity—and to many, it sucks…

When the lights are on and the red carpets have been placed like a life fixture with countless people waving to just one person, there’s nothing glamorous and spectacular one can imagine more than this—especially when at that moment, you’ve been dressed with fine and expensive garments.

But the truth behind genuine smiles cannot be measured when the cameras have been fixed, demanding that smiles should be forced through—a life most celebrities live on screen, which many people have bought into as the true pictorial extension of the status they’ve obtained.

If things were this great as many have been made to believed, celebrities and I mean those with limitless fame, contacts and wealth so huge that they miss the broke days—would not need all sort of drugs, cults and unhealthy relationships just to be happy and smile when the cameras are long gone.

In our fast developing pop-culture, our celebrities have their unending struggles, problems and headaches, which mostly spring from the very status they seemingly hold close to their hearts and enjoy.

From my course of dealings with some of our top African celebrities, I’ve decided to put together the behind the veil problems that grant them sleepless nights, when most of us are snoring away in our calm and uninteresting lives.

True Friendship is Non-Existing For Most of These Celebrities

Personally, I do not have a lot of friends as I prefer to maintain acquaintances rather, but I still have two or three friends I can blow their phones at anytime and share my deepest thoughts and secrets with, without being judged or being worried about seeing my secrets on the blogs.

The value of friendship is not measured by the material things one can obtain, but having someone watch your back and be truthful —is the true meaning of friendship.

And most celebrities including our African ones lack this pure experience of truth and genuine feelings. It is clear in what they even wear—sometimes. Don’t we all ask, do they really have friends to be walking about like that?

They can’t call anyone a friend, no matter how hard they try because there is a lot they care to protect—and this definitely sucks!

They Can’t Wear Anything Twice Even if they Can’t Afford New Ones

Affordability when it comes to what celebrities wear is not much of a problem with Western celebrities—because they can even get a lot for free. But when it comes to our African celebrities, staying in the limelight can break the bank, especially when you are underpaid or have no job.

And the Showbiz convention that a celebrity cannot wear anything twice is killing most of our African celebrities to the extent that, some have to skip events and appearances because even though they can afford the time, they can’t afford to buy a new set of items when a lot are hanging in their wardrobes…

It may seem glamorous anytime you see an African celebrity out and about wearing something well put together and new, but the truth is; it sucks so much for them.

Ama K. Abebrese Talks About Her ‘Love Your Skin Tone’ Campaign + Name All The Bleaching/Toning Ghanaian Entertainers/Celebrities

04/17/2014 6:00 pm

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

Actress/TV personality-Ama Konadu Abebrese was on Peace Fm’s Entertainment Review this afternoon to talk about her ‘Love Your Skin Tone’ campaign, which she hopes to use to discourage young people from skin bleaching/toning.

The actress has mentioned that the ‘Love Your Skin Tone’ campaign is not necessary to point fingers at those who are bleaching, rather, to let people understand that we all come in different skin tones and we must love and embrace whatever we are blessed with…

Speaking on the Show, Ama K said she is being joined by Nana Ama Mcbrown, Paulina Oduro and others to champion this campaign which they will take to schools, churches and the many places of gathering in our communities.

You Look Beautiful Honey…Keep on Bleaching!

04/12/2014 9:20 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

The fundamental question is not why a woman bleaches but where her sense of low self-esteem and false assumption of beauty based on colour map out from…

Paradoxically, most women continue to alter their skin colour and insincerely fail to see the change, arguing that they’ve always looked like that.

In a world where there is a cumulative change in the definition of beauty with the only permanent consensus being the beauty of confidence and intellect, some women are still engaged in a race for beauty grounded in complexion.

Personally, I know several women who bleach and despite having seen their bleaching products (pills, cream and soaps), I am yet to meet any of them who can accept that she is doing so. And that alone tells me most ‘bleachers’ themselves have issues with what they are doing or think there is no room to stop or return to where they used to be.

The non-educated, highly educated and those who project themselves as super educated are all doing it despite being aware of the numerous consequences of their actions. It is therefore not a case of not knowing what lies ahead or lack of knowledge anymore, rather, bleaching springs from an innate desire that a certain complexion is supreme and the ‘bleacher’ must at all cost be part of the ‘winning’ skin tone.

Gays in Africa Debate | What is Your True Opinion?

04/7/2014 10:52 am

by Chris-Vincent Agyapong, Founding Editor

For the last two years Africa has relegated most concerns and discourse to the background by giving extensive prominence to what a Human Rights Advocate like me will term ‘ indictment on our sense of tolerance and commitment to the principles of equality and the rule of law’.

The issue of homosexuals has quickly risen from being a family discourse to a national and a continental problem, with certain countries like Nigeria and Uganda passing atrocious laws to criminalize ‘gayism’ and fetch ‘perpetrators’ the most outrageous forms of statutory punishment.

This is happening at a time some of us thought the concept of liberalism, civilization and adherence to rule of law are finding grounds in Africa. Interestingly, though most African Head of States have not necessarily thrown in a clear indication as to where they and their States stand on the above issue, they’ve passed comments which impliedly suggest that, homosexuals are not what they want and will not be given any legal protections within their jurisdiction.

I have read and heard countless arguments as to why homosexuals should not be entertained, given any sort of legal protection and even must be punished or killed in Africa, ranging from legal to moral, and from religion to culture.

Despite the many arguments which are fussed with complexities, the most reoccurring ones are grounded in religion, morals and our false understanding of democracy (majority acts should take precedence over minority).

Since the ordinary African does not base his or her hatred of homosexuals on legal arguments and complexities, there is no point in spending time with the many western legal precedents which should inform our legislations and dealings with homosexuals—I will rather deal with the corners where they arguments spring from…

Religion

It is common and on the lips of those who do not even have religious affiliations as well as the sons and daughters of God that, “God hates homosexuals and most of these people cite Sodom and Gomorrah” as their biblical precedent.

What most religious people forget is that, apart from the fact that the text can be interpreted in many ways, God does not buy into the concept of hierarchy of sins where HE hates one sin more than another. If the act of homosexualism is a biblical sin, so is the act of lying, fornication, killing, stealing and several others…

Since no sin is greater than another in the sight of God, how do we treat liars? How do we treat our friends who fornicate or commit adultery? And how do we treat or intend to treat homosexuals?

It is obvious from the above that, there is no religious grounds for hating homosexuals, if God actually hates homosexuals, it is His problem and He is the sole punisher, why must we be the ones to execute the punishment? I thought the Bible says, thou shall not judge—and this does not exclude judging people because of their sexual orientation.

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