Sing and Win as Airtel launches Trace Music Star competition in Ghana

left to right Solomon Kwame Gyan (Brands & Assets Manager, Airtel), Kalybos (Creative Ambassador )Bianca Buckman (TV presenter, Viasat 1) Nana Ahwoi (Pre-paid – Retail, Assistant Manager, Airtel)and Sam Onyemelukwe (Trace MD, WA)

Airtel Ghana on Tuesday morning launched Airtel Trace Music Star, a music talentsearch competition in collaboration with Trace TV. Airtel Trace Music Star is an international singing contest that recognizes talented young people who are dramatically and musically convincing in a wide range of repertoire. The contest aims at giving the nation’s hopefuls a real opportunity to come through the ranks as budding artists of any genre or style.

Airtel Trace Music Star competition is an opportunity to develop the African music industry by creating a platform for the exposure of African music and musicians to the rest of the world. It is also an opportunity for Airtel to connect and communicate with their customers globally. Airtel Ghana has partnered with Trace TV because it is a globally recognized brand that gives the seal of recognition to many international artists.

The official launch of Airtel Trace Music Star was an impressive array of well attended and celebrated industry entertainment bloggers and journalists. The on-stage showcase for the launch was conducted in the acoustically acclaimed setting of Viasat 1 Studios.

The competition which is the first of its kind, where contestants can win by calling into the Airtel Trace Star short code 533 and singing any song of their choice. The short code can only be accessed from an Airtel number between the 7th October 2014 and10th December 2014. After this period, the best 5 will be selected ahead of a live televised show in January. TRACE will select winners based on a combination of singing skills (quality, picth, originality, tone, range) and number of votes received.

The best singing talent in Ghana will be identified, rewarded and put in competition with the best singing talents of other participating countries to run for the first AirtelTrace Music Star winner. The overall grand prize comprises of a recording deal with Universal Music Group, and an intense mentorship programme with Akon in the United States of America.

Marketing Director of Airtel Ghana, Manu Rajan said, “this initiative is in line with Airtel’s commitment to unleash the power of potential amongst our youth to enable them to Make a Change in their lives to achieve their dreams. We believe the youth of Ghana carry the power to bring about the change they want to see in their lives and around them. Airtel will act as the key enabler in their attempt to bring about a positive change in their lives”.

“We partnered with TRACE because it is a globally recognized brand that gives the seal of recognition to many international artists. Airtel Trace Music Star is an opportunity to develop the African music industry by creating a platform for exposure for Ghana’s music and musicians to the rest of the world,” Manu Rajan said.”

The CEO of Trace West Africa, Sam Onyemelukwe, added that, “this competition demonstrates TRACE strong commitment towards Africa’s rising stars. We know for sure that the African continent has great-undiscovered music talents. With TRACEMusic Star it has never been so easy to enter a music competition and possibly become the next big star.”

Senegalese-born American super star, Akon, who is the Airtel Trace Music Star Ambassador said in a statement that, “I am pleased to join Trace to develop innovative ways in which to identify and nurture dynamic music talent throughout the continent. The intersection between technology and artist development is elevated by the presence of this ground-breaking music competition concept,” stated Akon.

The grand finale will be held in March 2015. The partnership with TRACE Music Star will last three (3) years. To find out more stay connected on Airtel Ghana’s Facebook,Instagram and Twitter pages and via www.tracemusicstar.com

 

Source: ameyawdebrah.com

Davido, BukBak, Guru, MI And Others To Headline ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ Sequel

I’m sure we all Remember Empire Entertainment’s Ghana meets Naija, Well a sequel is planned and will take place soon. Big artists are expected to headline the 2nd edition of the program.

The 2012 edition of Africa’s biggest unifying concert ‘Ghana meets Naiger’ has been launched and is expected to happen on 30th June, 2012.

With an amazing media turn up and massive celebrity support from Yvonne Nelson, Sandra Akobea, among others, the Launch seemed like a mini pre-concert and had Citizen Atho of Joy FM as Master of Ceremony and Chief Dele Mamoudu of Ovation Magazine as Chair man.

Kwaw Kesse, Buk Bak, K3ch3, Guru, Tiffany, Kaki, and R2Bees are so far the confirmed acts to headline the Ghanaian list of performances. Nigerian acts who were present at the launch and have been confirmed to perform include, new artiste Davido, MI, Brymo, Y-Cue, and B-red. Bola Ray promised a bigger and fun filled concert and hinted in his speech about possible inclusion of Dr Sid and Don Jazzi in the list of Nigerian acts.

Miss World 2011 storms Ghana, Kojo Antwi & Sherifa Gunu To perform

Kojo Antwi

The world's most beautiful lady, Ivian Sarcos, 22, winner of the 2011 edition of the most prestigious beauty pageant on earth, Miss World, is set to visit Ghana from the 19th to 23rd of this month.

Accompanying Sarcos, who hails from the Southern American country of Venezuela, is a full entourage of the Miss World team, including the first and second runner-ups from the Philippines and Puerto Rico, Miss World Europe, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Miss World organisation, Julia Morley, and some members of the international press among others.

This historic visit by the reigning Miss World forms part of plans by the Miss World organisation to support winners of the beauty pageant with a purpose award.

This is an honour to contestants who have made real differences in the lives of people in their countries, especially, those of underprivileged children. Miss Ghana 2010, Stephanie Karikari, was a joint winner of the award at the Miss World 2011 event.

Stephanie Karikari seeks to build a state of the art nursery for a day care facility at Ayalolo. This is to help the children at the Sodom and Gomorrah slum in the Central Business District of Accra.

A Charity Ball will be held on 22 May 2012 at the Banquet Hall, State House, to help raise funds for Stephanie Karkari's nursery project. During this exclusive and special event, the Miss Ghana 2012 pageant will be launched. Limited tickets are available for just 400 guests. To make a purchase, call 0302 763986 or 0246302325.

Two of Ghana’s finest musicians Kojo Antwi and Sherifa Gunu, are set to thrill patrons at the launch of the 2012 edition of the Miss Ghana beauty pageant event, as well as the Miss World Charity Ball, which comes off on Tuesday May 22, at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Headlining what would go down as a historic and memorable night never to be forgotten in the life of beauty pageants worldwide, is the “music man” and “maestro” Kojo Antwi, who will be supported by the ever youthful and talented Sherifa Gunu, Exclusive Events Ghana, organizers of the Miss Ghana 2012 pageant, today said.

Ghana prepares to host for the very first time in the history of the Miss Ghana beauty pageant, Ivian Sarcos, the 22 year-old winner of the 2011 edition of the most prestigious beauty pageant on earth, Miss World.

The Miss World team will also pay courtesy calls on very important personalities in and outside the capital, Accra. In addition, they will visit some important tourist attraction sites.

'We're going to Ghana to work on a project there. And I know that she's a down-to-earth person and she won't be afraid to get her hands dirty,' Miss World Chairman and Chief Executive Julia Morley, told news agency AFP.

Video : London Based Ghanaian Musician ‘Tribal Magz’ Has Made His Own Azonto Moves Called ‘Azonto Skank’ … Learn How To Do It

Azonto is worldwide, I know I don’t have to say it over and over again. We all know, people from all walks of life have been seen doing the pretty Ghana-made dance. Yesterday Tribal Magz invented his own skills which i’m sure those of you in UK is familiar with the ‘Skank’ dance. Basically Tribal is trying to fuse both the Skank and the Azonto. It looks good though. Watch the 8mins video below and learn how to do the new Azonto skills.

Homosexuals In Ghana Welcome Obama’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision

Gay-rights activists and homosexuals in Ghana have hailed President Barack Obama’s support for same-sex marriage as a symbolic victory for the decriminalization of homosexuality in the country.

In a historic moment the president of the United States of America announced his personal support of same-sex marriage Wednesday during a televised interview.

Prince Kweku McDonald, who claims to be the President of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Ghana (GALAG), wrote in an email “President Obama now stands with us on the right side of history. I hope Atta Mills will use this opportunity to decriminalize sex between people of the same sex”

Gladys Okai, a Ghanaian woman, who was attacked for being a lesbian said

“My understanding of democracy is that everybody’s right is guaranteed. President Obama is proving to be a proper believer in democracy … he knows that people with other sexual orientations also have rights,”

“Obama did the right thing. Why in this day and age is Sodomy still a crime in Ghana? I am not asking for gay marriages. I am simply asking to be able to have a normal consensual love life with any human being without being prosecuted.” said Steve (who refused to give a last name)

Late last year, Ghana’s President John Atta Mills said his government would never legalise homosexuality and a poll taken in December 2011 showed that 88% of Ghanaians backed his position.

[Read Also: Prostitution & Lesbianism-Which One Would You Prefer At Gun Point?]

With the exception of South Africa, much of Africa harbors a deep stigma against homosexuality. Violence has been rising against gays in the continent, and there have been cases of mobs digging up bodies from cemeteries in Senegal, allegedly of homosexuals, and parading them in the streets.

Source: GHP

Vodafone Ghana launches new music portal with Sarkodie & Dbanj (Photos)

Award winning Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie and Nigerian international music star, Dbanj joined Vodafone Ghana to launch a new music portal, www.vodafonelive.com.gh at well attended ceremony in Accra, last Friday.

The two star artists also performed their untitled new single, which they recorded together exclusively for the music portal, for the first time to an enthusiastic audience that wanted more of the song after Dbanj and Sarkodie stopped their performance abruptly to whet their appetites. The launch also saw performances from 4×4 and RnM, and was attended by several musicians, producers and industry people.

Vodafonelive.com.gh allows customers to download music tracks and videos straight onto their mobile phones, giving them easy and simple access to music by Ghanaian and international artistes. It also allows customers to download pictures and subscribe to entertainment updates about their favourite stars.

At the red carpet launch event, Uche Ofodile, Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone explained Vodafone’s motivation for introducing Vodafonelive.com.gh at this time: “We’re taking a 360 approach to music. The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and 020 Live celebrated and rewarded our artistes while Icons unearthed and nurtured new talents. We are now looking at access. We want to make the great music our Ghanaian and African artistes create easily accessible to their fans and continue to support the industry by giving the artistes a platform to market themselves. It is only right that they get paid for the music they make.”

After registering on their mobile number, Vodafone customers and music fans can access the portal to download tracks for an average cost of GHC 0.35 which will be deducted from their credit. The artistes who market their music and other entertainment materials on the portal will receive a percentage of the revenue generated from all materials downloaded. This offers an opportunity for musicians to make money from the sale of their music as well as getting paid for their live performances.

The Vodafonelive.com.gh portal will also give customers exclusive previews and access to new music by Sarkodie; his next album release will be available exclusively on the portal for a month before it goes on general release.

Video : Meet ‘Qmark’ The Self-Acclaimed Ghana’s Best Dancer.

I keep saying I love the new Ghana, as the young ones are following their passion unlike before where people were looking up to the old ones for help and support. Photographers, dancers, musicians, DJ’s, web developers, bloggers, entertainers, models, video vixens and everybody is doing part to put Ghana on the map. Meet Andrew Nana Poku aka ‘QMark’. He calls himself the best Dancer in Ghana. He’s influenced by famous dancers like Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Jason Derulo and many more. The question is, does he deserve the title? You can only find out by watching the 40mins video below of him showcasing his skills. Whether it’s good or not. It’s a good try.

Vodafone Ghana partners with Sarkodie and D’banj to launch new online music portal

Vodafone Ghana is set to launch Ghana’s first ever online music portal that will allow subscribers on the network to enjoy the latest songs, news and information pertaining to the music scene in Ghana. This novel milestone will be launched with performances by musical extraordinaire Sarkodie and DBanj.

To mark this exciting innovation, the two stars will collaborate on a song which will be only available on the online portal. The new platform, specialised for the music industry, will enable ’020? users to download their favourite music on www.vodafonelive.com.gh.

Vodafone Ghana wants to reach music fans in a way that reflects the latest trends of how music is experienced in the web world. The website will also carry videos as well as news items. The telecom giants have promised to allow its millions of users to have a great music experience on mobile through www.vodafonelive.com.gh and its partners on high speed.

SoundCity Ghana Re-Launch Party On Saturday (May 12)

After a successful trial run, Nigerian based music/entertainment station; Soundcity Music Channel Africa is set to re-launch its services in Ghana in May via an exciting array of television entertainment programmes and events in partnership with Ghanaian TV stations – Ghana Television, GHOne Entertainment TV, and Viasat 1.

Big Brother StarGame: Ghana’s Keitta is Head of House

One of Ghana’s representatives in the ongoing Big Brother Africa StarGame, Keitta has been made Head of House for the first week of the reality show. He was named Head of House of Downville after picking the lucky ball during a task which saw the housemates hold a ball over their heads.

Keitta picked the red ball – which was the lucky ball – and was subsequently named Head of House. Big Brother declared,

“This is Big Brother, housemates, this was a Head of House task. The new Head of House with the red ball is Keitta …”

Big Brother had also instructed Upville and Downville housemates to do the same task. Big Brother informed the housemates to create Facebook statuses from a jumbled up line of letters provided. The housemates are required to update their statuses with the given letters throughout the whole duration of their stay.

There was no limit to how many times they can like, dislike or update their statuses. The letters cannot be replaced or added to. The housemates have to speak their minds in these statuses. Keitta is currently Downville’s Head of House while Barbz from South Africa, who also picked the lucky spear is Upville’s Head of House.

Miss World, Ivian Sarcos to visit Ghana May 19

This year’s Miss Ghana promises to be one of the most exciting with several thrilling events billed to precede the main programme. One of such events will witness the world’s most beautiful lady, Ivian Sarcos, winner of Miss World 2011 edition visit Ghana from 19 – 23 May. Accompanying Sarcos, who hails from Southern American country of Venezuela, is a full entourage of the Miss World team including the first and second runner ups from the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Miss World Europe, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Miss World organization, Julia Morley will also be in attendance. Inna Mariam Patty, CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana – organizers of this year’s Miss Ghana – disclosed this in a media interaction on Monday.

The Miss Ghana 2004 added that the historic visit by the current Miss World forms part of plans by the Miss World organization to support winners of the Beauty with a Purpose award which Stephanie Karikari, Miss Ghana 2011 won at last year’s event. Stephanie Karikari, as part of her project will be constructing a modern day care center at Ayalolo, a suburb of Accra.

To raise funds for her project, a charity ball will be held at the Banquet hall where the Miss Ghana 2012 pageant will also be launched. The Miss World team will pay a courtesy call on the President, John Evans Atta Mills as well as tour selected tourist sites around the country.

Sarkodie,Efya,D Cryme and Smirnoff brings New York to Ghana in a party of a lifetime

The hundreds who thronged the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre Friday night for the Smirnoff One Night in NYC party will attest to the fact that it was a party like no other- a unique party where patrons were treated to an unforgettable flight experience to the world’s famous New York City and a feast on top of its Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden at the same time.

This Smirnoff experience had on its menu, a wide array of Smirnoff’s Vodaka cocktails mixed with good music from Africa and Ghana’s number one DJ, DJ Black.

DJ Black was in his elements dishing out a mixed bag of exciting tunes from both the local and international scenes and yes, every inch of space at the venue was taken by countless number of legs.

Some of Ghana’s top brass showbiz personalities really had a go! Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Jocelyn Dumas, Bola Ray, Ekow Smith Asante, Sammy B, Pascaline Edwards, and a host of others could be seen dancing the night away. Well nobody expected the night’s drink ups and chops to last the distance, and compensating for that were performances from three of the country’s biggest acts.

Sarkodie, Artiste of the Year for 2012; 2012 Hiplife Song of the Year winner D-Cryme and 2012 Female Vocal Artiste of the Year, Efya brought the party home. It was D-Cryme who stepped up to the mic first and after performing songs including his hit single Kill Me Shy, Efya was next to thrill withNothing, Sexy Sassy Wahala, and her hot single, Best In Me.

Sarkodie’s entry drew the usual loud cheers from an elated audience and he set sail with his collaboration with Efya I’m In Love With You. Tagged Ghana’s fastest rapper, he also performed Onyame Nhyira and the almighty You Go Kill Me. The Smirnoff One Night in NYC ended during the wee hours of Saturday with patrons wearing bright smiles as they left the venue

eLDee’s ‘Undeniable Concert’ In Ghana Denied, In Other Words, It Flopped! (Photos Inside)

Sigh! yesterday wasn’t a good day for Nigerian Rap Icon eLDee and his team as photos and words that came out had it that the concert flopped and had countable people who wouldn’t reach 100? For Real? The concert which was held at the Accra International conference center boasted of Maestro’s like Wiz Kid, R2Bees, Don Jazzy, Iyanya, Sarkodie, Tiffany, Dr. Sid and many more. With the people mentioned, it’s highly unlikely for the concert to flop. What could have been the problem.

First, I think it’s the promotion, I only got to know about the concert from BBM broadcasts, which mean, the promotion wasn’t good enough. I learnt it even came to a point they had to allow free entry which still was to no avail. Moreover, I think all of the Ghanaian acts have been overseen and are the main guys in every big show. I guess people are tired of their faces and their performances. Nothing special to expect and the Nigerian acts, the eLDee guy himself is not well known in Ghana and few of them too.

Secondly, I think the entry fee was a bit high, it started from $30 equivalent to as high as $2000 for VVIP table, seriously? I wouldn’t pay that to see Michael Jackson. In all I guess they dug their own grave. Sorry Mr. eLDee, Ghana is not Nigeria LOL and better luck next time. Check out the photos below (I’m sure you can see the empty seats).

Popular Tanzanian actress ‘Lucy Komba’ ready to set her mark in Ghana movies

Popular Tanzania actress and scriptwriter Luscious Lucy Komba is making frantic efforts to break into Ghana’s movie industry, years after making a name in her country’s movie industry and parts of East Africa.

She has already gotten some deals in Ghana after her involvement in some auditions carried out by a professional production house in Ghana.

“I am more than happy to work in Ghana. I watch Ghanaian movies and I love them. I hope and ready to work with everybody.

To compare my industry and Ghana movie industry, I think both industries can compete,” she said in an encounter with NEWS-ONE.

Lucy is described an impressive actress whose innocent demeanor keeps the audience intrigued and on the edge of their seats. She attended Oysterbay School, then Kibosho Secondary, Kilimanjaro. She then got a diploma in IT.

She started acting when she joined an art group called Fukuto Arts Professional where she starred in two television drama series entitled ‘Valentine Day’ and ‘Rangi ya Chungwa’. She then joined another group called Dar Talent. Before joining the elite drama group ‘Kaole Sanaa’, she acted in five TV drama series.

Lucy went solo and started making her own films- script writing, acting and producing. ‘UTATA (Confusion)’ was her first feature film under her production company Poyaga Productions. She has over 12 films to her credit and worked on other projects like ‘Mega-Video’, ‘Kapico’ and ‘5 Effects’.

Lucy Komba is not just a star: She made/created other stars like Ahmed Olotu, Irene Uwoya, Jacqueline Wolper, Hemed Kavu, Om Joshi, Idris SD and other current popular bongo stars. Her poise and ability to immerse herself in her characters is unrivalled. Lucy has just been appointed the face of Design by Barbs Fashion House.

Where We Come From: Ghana’s VIP Reps Hiplife Roots Worldwide

Outside of Africa and certain circles, if you bring up hiplife in conversation you will probably need to explain yourself. That is, you will if your listener’s eyes don’t glaze over when you say it’s from Ghana.

But inside Africa, you have to be living pretty far from any cell phones, TVs or internet cafes to not know the jerky moves of the Azonto dance or the aggressively catchy fusion hip-hop that’s come to be known as hiplife that inspired it.

Inside Ghana, it’s hard to even explain the kind of real estate the sound has in the national consciousness. Lazzy, one-third of pioneering hiplife group VIP, took time out after a photo shoot to try to quantify things via cell phone: “Hiplife is everything in Ghana right now. It gets like 90 percent more airplay than any other song. It’s there when you go to the clubs, to the bars, you hear hiplife.”

The word combines hip-hop with highlife, a jazzy Ghanaian genre driven by brass and guitar. Hiplife itself is a combination of hip-hop, highlife and even more traditional Ghanaian folk elements like the kpanlogo drum. The sound is African rhythms and hooks in overdrive with a little dancehall and Auto-Tune smoothing the ride. The lyrics are in English and Ghanaian regional languages. As pop goes, it’s a musical freight train and it’s spreading far beyond Ghana’s borders.

VIP, comprised today of members Lazzy, Promzy and Prodigal, has been one of hiplife’s major engines for over a decade. And, in many ways, their story is hiplife’s story. They came up among founders of the genre like Reggie Rockstone. Today, they collaborate with the top names in the game like Sarkodie and foster young talent like their protégés in FOI. Last year, they took home Artist of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards.

“VIP are like that household name. Every few years they have this hit and it’s like an amazing comeback and you walk down the street and you hear the women in the market singing their songs and the little kids singing their songs,” says American documentary filmmaker Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi.

His film HomeGrown: HipLife in Ghana chronicles the hiplife pioneers’ rise to fame. He got to know the group while studying in Ghana and DJ at the college radio station. He befriended the then up-and-coming group when they brought their CD to station. He ended up directing the video for their song “Besin.” In the video a pack of small boys chases the trio through the dirt streets of Nima, the neighborhood in Accra where VIP is from. He couldn’t have known that someday they’d be the biggest hiplife act in the country.

Music producers to sue Ghana government $400M for unpaid royalties

The Ghana Association of Phonographic Industries (GAPI) said it was considering filing a legal suit against the Government of Ghana because government and other state institutions used Ghanaian music works without paying royalties. Project Coordinator for GAPI, Francis Mensah Twum told Adom Entertainment News the Information Services Department (ISD), and the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) use Ghanaian music in their vans that go round to educate the public,

but they do not pay royalties. He also cited political parties for the same offence, saying that GAPI is speaking with its lawyers to prepare a legal suit against the offenders which, including the government. Mr. Twum Mensah however noted that alternatively, government could support the forthcoming Copyright Bank/Fund with seed capital to compensate for the millions of cedis of accumulated in unpaid royalties it owed the industry. He explained that apart from government not paying

royalties due the industry, government also delayed the passage of the Copyright Law, and it took another four years before it enacted the Legislative Instrument to make the law operational. “This allowed piracy to continue and the industry lost an average of $30 million a year, which amounted to about a $400 million loss over the period,” he said. Mr. Mensah Twum also noted that copyright owners used to benefit from the import tax on mobile phones but since government removed that tax, the industry lost that benefit, and government did not also make any provision in the talk tax for the music industry. He said GAPI was seeking to raise a seed

capital of one million Ghana cedis to start the Copyright Bank and it therefore expected government to contribute to that money to support industry players. “GAPI has set aside some GHC20,000 from our own resources and we have asked all our members to also forfeit their royalties for the next five years so the money could be accumulated to top-up the seed capital for the Copyright Bank,” he said. Mr. Twum acknowledged that the GHC2million government earmarked for the music

industry recently, was a good gesture but the money had still not been delivered to the industry, adding that even if it was delivered, it will be used for specific projects outside of the Copyright Bank. Mr. Twum said GAPI was also looking to rope in a number of strategic investors to support the formation of the Bank,

adding that the bank would provide credit to musicians and allow them to use their royalties as collateral. He said, to reduce the risk of lending, the Business Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) fund had support GAPI to design a plan to ensure quality music production, proper regulation of the industry, protection of the copyright properties, and ready avenues for sales of music works.

Glo ambassadors to take over Ghana with Glo festivals

Glo ambassadors to take over Ghana with Glo festivals GLO AMBASSADORS GHANA The official launch of Glo Ghana’s commercial service in country has opened the flood gates for a series of Glo Music Festivals that would showcase the numerous Glo Ghana music and movie icons to Ghanaians. Glo Ghana was licensed three years ago and it signed some 17 Ghanaian musicians, actors and footballers as brand ambassadors – a deal which prevented particularly the musicians from performing at shows sponsored by other telecom operators in Ghana.

And that looked like a big blow because all the big shows in Ghana were practically sponsored by telecom operators. But a number of the Glo ambassadors who spoke with Adom Entertainment News at the long awaited Glo launch on Sunday, April 29, 2012, said they could now heave a sigh of relief and brace themselves for shows ‘like never before’, as they say at Glo. One of the Senior Glo Ambassadors, and pioneer of Simigwadu music, Gyedu Blay Ambuley said the Glo launch in Ghana “is an invasion because we are going to organize festivals across the country and bring the superior Glo brand to our fans and to all Ghanaians through quality music and entertainment.”

The stylish and sleek Tinny, who is probably the one musician who had been off the stage for the longest while, due to the Glo deal, said he was now ready for the stage and those who thought his career was over should watch out for his completed “Regular Champion” album, from which he released the Anaconda single. Tinny did a line of his captivating Ga rap from a song he called “I Am Me”, from his upcoming new album and announced he would put up a big concert soon to launch the album. Award-winning hip-life star and song writer, Asem said even though the Glo artistes were off stage for a long time, they still remained relevant in the music industry through their hit singles and albums, so Ghanaians could expect the best of them in the forthcoming Glo concerts. GLO Ghana He said the launch was just phase one of events planned to wow the public with the Glo brand.

Sleek and smooth multiple award-winning highlife singer, Kwabena Kwabena said “now we have been redeemed from the long wait and we are now going to be seen in shows like never before – my next album is long overdue but it will be out in a few weeks and would have tunes that Ghanaians could meditate on.” He described the Glo deal as one of the greatest things that happened to Ghanaian musicians and urged other corporate bodies to also select some of the other relevant local artistes as their brand icons to move the industry forward.

The pretty-faced Ghanaian screen goddess, Jackie Appiah simply urged her fans to go get their Glo SIMs and buzz her on Glo, and also watch out for her at the Glo events. Sharifa Gunu said she was happy that finally all of Ghana is about to glow with freebies from Glo and with quality entertainment from the Glo ambassadors. Newly signed Glo Ambassador, Efya said the Glo brand is sweet like “aluguntugui” and it was poised to pour some sugar on Ghanaians in the coming weeks and months. Efya’s bosom friend, Irene Logan said Glo gave me good money for my projects and the launch also meant more shows and more money, but most importantly, she was happy for the opportunity to get back on the stage and wow her fans with her new songs which were poised to be hits.

The hiplife Grand Papa, Reggie Rockstone, repeated his most popular statement that Glo’s launch was like the coming of Christ – no one knew when but it came on a day that probably no one expected. He said he had planned not to do any more videos of his own as a musician, but after the seeing the quality of the Glo TV commercials that featured him and other Glo Ambassadors, he had decided to put bits and pieces of all those commercials together in probably his last music video,

so Ghanaians should watch out. “Glo did not choose me as an ambassador because of performance but because of legacy and I am going to continue to provide that leadership to make the Glo brand alive to Ghanaians,” he said. Meanwhile the Glo Ghana music ambassadors are gearing up to launch what Glo Ghana COO, George Andah called the biggest music album ever produced in Ghana.

Miss Teen Ghana to Contest In 2012 Miss Teen International – USA

Miss Beatrice Addy, winner of last year’s Miss Teen Ghana, is set to contest at the Miss Teen International 2012 in the United States. The 17-year-old Miss Addy, a student of Mfantsiman High School, will participate in the Miss Teen International 2012 competition on 26 and 28 July, 2012 at the North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts in Chicago, Illinois.

According to Adelaide France-Darko, Director at Linkword, organizers of the pageant, Miss Beatrice Addy’s reign will end in August after holding the coveted title for nearly a year. She noted that :

“The Miss Teen International Pageant system has been developed to promote today’s teens, ages 13 – 18, and their accomplishments.

“Around the world women are finding an opportunity to work with others to become positive role models. This being the premiere pageant for young women has given Miss Teen International a chance to open doors for all teenage women around the world”.

The event, she added, would give each contestant the opportunity to learn about customs and family life in other countries, along with the chance to share beliefs and make plenty of new friends. Miss Teen International, according to the Director of Linkword, was developed to have higher standards than other pageants.

Touching on the focus of Miss Teen International, Mrs. France-Darko revealed that the show would showcase teens who were between 13 and 18 years old and were residents of the state or a citizens of the countries they represented.

“Each contestant will be competing in interview competition, evening gown valued, fitness wear and fun fashion wear; the beauty pageant will give each of the contestants the opportunity to select a platform of her choice which she will be promoting the year round”.

Last year’s pageant, the maiden edition of Miss Teen Ghana, was held in August at the Airport West Hotel in Accra. Miss Addy, who emerged winner, is hopeful to bring the international crown to Ghana. This year’s Miss Teen Ghana will be held in September at the National Theatre.

Facebook hits 1.1 million subscribers in Ghana

The facebook subscription for Ghana as at 31 March 2012 was 1,146,560, representing 4.6 per cent penetration rate, according to the 2011 Internet World Statistic Report. Statistic indicated that as at December 2011, the Ghanaian internet users were 2,085,501 representing 8.4 per cent of the population.

Africa came fifth in the facebook subscription growth rating between 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012 with a total population of 40,205,580 representing 3.9 penetration rates. For the subscriber growth of the various continents, Europe came first with 232, 855,740, followed by Asia 195,034,380, North America 173,284,940, South America 112,531,100, Central America 41,332,940 and Middle East 20,247,900.

Facebook subscriptions of some of the African countries were as follows: Equatorial Guinea subscription is 18,180 representing 2.7 penetration rates, Nigeria, 4,369,740 representing 2.8 per cent and South Africa, 4,822,820 representing 9.8 per cent penetration rate. The rest are Egypt,391,580 representing 11.4 per cent of the penetration rate and Ethiopia, 472,460 representing 0.5 per cent penetration rates.

Gabon facebook users are 91,200 representing 5.8 per cent penetration rate, The Gambia 4,840 of 4.2 per cent penetration rate and Kenya 1,298,560 representing 3.2 per cent of the penetration rate. Facebook is a social networking service and website was launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook Incorporated.