PHOTOS: Yvonne Nelson And Jackie Appiah Spotted At GIAMA Awards In Texas

Yvonne Nelson's black dress for the 2013 GIAMA The 2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards took place on Saturday 19th October 2013 in Houston, Texas. Ghanaian movie stars Yvonne Nelson and Jackie Appiah both in black dresses, were spotted looking stunning at the awards night.   Ghana's Jackie Appiah and Uru Eke from Nollywood at 2013 GIAMAs From Nollywood were, Richard Mofe Damijio, Uche Jombo, Alex Ekubo, Fred Amata, Emem Isong, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha and Uru Eke. The glamorous event was hosted by Nollywood “fine boy” Ramsey.Keep reading for more pictures from the event and full list of winners.     Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Tension Over Oil Plant

The tools Oasis workers were using in constructing the tanks       TENSION IS growing high at Kokompe in the Kpone-Katamanso District of the Greater Accra Region over a construction of oil storage tanks to be cited at a densely populated area by Oasis Lubricant Ghana Limited. The residents are appealing to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and Kpone-Katamanso District Assembly (KKDA) not to grant permits to the oil company because of the likely health implications. Although Oasis Lubricant Ghana Limited have not been given any go-ahead by the institutions responsible for issuing permits including the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the company had gone ahead to build storage tanks in the residential area, hence, infuriating the residents who have threatened to embark on demonstration and destroy their properties. Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE indicates that Oasis Ghana Limited had submitted documents to the TDC and KKDA to build offices for the company but suddenly started building oil tanks on the proposed site. The Kpone Traditional Council (KTC) in a letter to the TDC Managing Director, Mr Joe Abbey, signed by the Traditional Council Registrar, Mr Harry Attipoe called on the TDC to immediately suspend the process of documents to the oil company to construct an oil tank farm in the KKDA. Several attempts to stop the oil company from constructing the oil storage tanks on their traditional area had proved futile as management of the company are bent on continuing with the project. Mrs Evelyn Acquah of Oasis Lubricant Ghana Limited told DAILY GUIDE in a telephone interview that KKDA had issued permit to her outfit to build the oil tanks and had paid GH¢23, 000 as the cost of the permit for works on the site and are in the process of securing permit from GNFS and EPA for the project. Mr Vincent Yeboah, KKDA Project Engineer, however denied such payment to his outfit and issuing of permit to the lubricant company stating that “as far as I am concerned as the KKDA engineer, we have not issued permit to Oasis since GNFS, EPA. KTC and KKDA have to meet for final approval before permit is issued to the company.” The residents are fuming with rage and threatening to take the laws into their hands if any action is not taken.       Source: Vincent Kubi/Daily Guide

Terrorists Targeting Key Civilian Installations In Ghana - Kenyan MP

Kenyan Officials have expressed concern about potential terrorist attacks targeted at Ghana and are expecting the country’s security agencies to take the threat seriously. Speaking to the Daily Guide newspaper in Nairobi on Sunday, a former army Colonel of the Kenyan Defence Force (KDF), Col (Rtd) Benedict Musembi and a Kenyan Member of Parliament for Nakuru County, Onesmus Kimani Ngunjiri, expressed the hope that unlike Kenya, Ghana would not take lightly, intelligence filtering in that some terror groups were targeting key civilian installations in Ghana. “In Africa, we need to be careful. We need to be alert; we need to tell the truth. We need to know there is an enemy coming which is terrorism, so it is not only Kenya, but all over the continent now,” the Kenyan MP Kimani Ngunjiri told Daily Guide exclusively in Nairobi. “I think, it’s a big thing now and it is targeting Africa and we must be very careful about it now. We cannot trust anybody, whether white or black or blue…When the information is given, we need to take it very seriously.” In Kenya, the job of the National Intelligence Service boss, Micheal Gichangi, is currently on the line because he did not take seriously, intelligence passed to him by Israeli and American intelligence agencies about a potential terror attack on Kenya. It is believed that laxity on the part of the Kenyan intelligence resulted in the massacre of more than 70 people by Somali-based terror group, Al-shabaab on September 21, 2013. Similarly, the British government, through its High Commission in Ghana, is sending signals of a potential terror attack by terrorist groups originating from Mali. On September 26, the High Commission issued alerts to its citizens in Ghana, saying that they had strong suspicious about a potential hit on the country. “There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including places visited by expatriates and foreign travelers,” the circular to British citizens in Ghana stated. “We should not take these things lightly. When any country is given those kinds of information, we need to be careful and take it very seriously,” the Kenyan MP advised. “It is not only in Kenya; the fire [of terrorism] is spreading across Africa,” noted Col. (Rtd) Musembi in a one-on-one interview with Daily Guide in Nairobi. “If our security had taken it seriously, I think we could not have gotten those problems [the Westgate massacre], but sometimes we are so careless.” According to the British, Ghana is being targeted for its military intervention in Mali, were African Union troops are helping to fight armed Islamist incursions into the country from the north. There is a possibility of retaliatory attacks in Ghana due to its participation in the intervention in Mali. Intelligence It is unclear if Ghanaian security agencies have received any specific intelligence about the nature of the terrorist threat, but frantic anti-terrorism preparations are being made by the military, giving rise to suspicions that the terror attack is not a mere hoax.       Source: Raphael Ofori-Adeniran/D-Guide

Bola Ray’s Radio Station Empire 102.7 FM Ready To Take Off

Kwabena Anokye Adisi aka Bola Ray Contrary to speculations that Joy FM’s Kwabena Anokye Adisi aka Bola Ray will be leaving the station to establish his own radio station, the award-winning presenter has debunked the rumours, admitting that he is indeed setting up his own radio station but he is not leaving Joy FM. After gaining 10 years of experience as host of Joy FM’s Drive Time, CEO of Empire Entertainment, Bola Ray thinks it is time to set up his own radio station. In a couple of weeks, Bola Ray’s Empire 102.7 FM, a radio station located in Takoradi will begin transmission. Last Thursday, a visibly excited Bola told Showbiz, “I want to create employment for people; I know there are great talents who want platforms to bring out what they have so I took it upon myself to help such people.” He was quick to add that he is still with Joy FM despite speculations making the rounds that he would be leaving the station soon. Bola Ray explained that his boss Kwesi Twum, CEO of Multimedia Group Of Companies is aware of the radio station he has established and has given him his full support. “Joy FM pays me very well and I don’t intend leaving there, the least I can do is to transmit my programme on Joy FM at Empire FM which my boss is very cool with” Bola said. Explaining further, Bola Ray said Joy FM has given him good exposure, he recently won the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Radio Show Host of the Year and he is not leaving Joy anytime soon. “I appreciate everything Joy has done in my life and I thank God for working there,” he added. Throwing more light on his new baby, Bola, who has always dreamt of establishing his own radio station, said recruitment is still in progress for people who are interested in radio. “As we speak now, our jingles are ready, our members of staff are almost complete even though we are still recruiting, I believe in a couple of weeks, Empire 102.7 FM will be running” Bola said. Talking about this year’s Back InThe Day concert scheduled for December 6, Bola toldShowbiz that American Hiphop artistes Naughty by Nature will be on the bill as well as Kontihene and other surprise acts. Currently managing musicians Guru, Dobble and Dr Slim, Bola Ray, who is also the brain-child of Ghana Meets Naija said he is most grateful to all his loyal listeners because they made him who he is today and he dedicates his CIMG award to them. This article was originally published in the Graphic Showbiz of Monday October 1 under the headline ‘Bola Ray: I am not Leaving Joy FM.’       Source: Enewsgh.com

Black Stars To Start Training In Accra On Tuesday

Ghana’s squad will begin camping on Tuesday in Accra to start preparations for the Brazil 2014 World Cup playoff first leg tie against Egypt at home in a two weeks. Head coach Kwesi Appiah expects all of his foreign-based 25-man squad to arrive by Monday and then start training the next day. The Black Stars will train at the Accra Sports Stadium for just one day before leaving for Kumasi, venue for the match, on Wednesday. Ghana will have one week to trim the rough edges for the crucial assignment on 15 October at Baba Yara Stadium. The four-time African have lost three regulars Jonathan Mensah, John Boye and Mohammed Rabiu to injuries.       Source: Ghanasoccernet.com

No Sign of Recovery!

	Prodigal, Promzy(Now gone solo) and Zeal

It will be a miracle, a grand one for VIP to rise to their ‘cult’ status again following the exit of Promzy. VIP can be compared to a tripod, with Promzy as the front leg. Now that it has broken, I doubt if the two legs can hold the balance.

The influence of Promzy on the group can’t be under-estimated. He’s bigger, larger and more like the poster boy of the group. He carries this ‘bad boy’ persona. He’s a talented rapper. His charisma could be felt on records and on the stage. He’s the force behind the performance (apologies Charter House).

I’m sorry to disagree with Bull Dog’s assertion. History tells us that groups have not been the same with the exit of their strongest link. Whether Promzy survives as a solo artist, we all wait to see. In my mind’s eye, he’ll have it tough. Even Okyeame Kwame struggled following the breaking of Akyeame.

What Bull Dog, Lazzy and Prodigal will pull out of their hats is something we await. Perhaps they will draft one of their protégés from FOI, the talented Lil’ Chris to fill the gaping hole or they will have to rely on other artists as featured guests.

VIP survived the first quake and became a formidable group. This time I have my reservations. Lightening doesn’t strike the same spot twice. Whatever it is that they plan on doing, they better do it quickly or see their careers swallowed by the musical quick sand they seem to sand on currently.

Despite this, I wish is the news is nothing more than public STUNT. But if it isn’t, my greatest regret will be that they couldn’t share their collections with Ghanaians through city-to-city tours. I’m open to surprises. They should prove me and others who have predicted their ‘musical demise’ wrong.

End of An Era!...VIP Will Never Rise Again!

VIP Unless it is one of those public stunts generally employed by artists or their management to sustain or soar up their dwindling fortunes and popularity, then the news about Promzy (Emmanuel Ababio)- arguably the front man of one of the most respected and successful music groups in Ghana over the past 15 years- signals the ‘death’ of the group’s musical fortunes. Despite the expected assurance of their manager, Bull Dog that ‘VIP is bigger than one member of the group’, it is an undeniable fact the group can’t, unless some divine intention, maintain its glory. The gloss of VIP has in recent times been waning. This was evident at their last stage performance at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards where the crowd, which hitherto would jump off their seats, sing, applaud and dance as if possessed to every song by VIP, sat staring, uninterested to what they were about. The magnetic force that defined VIPs showmanship was evaporating. Prior to that performance, response to their new single ‘Follow Me’, a cover of Nigerian rapper M.I’s ‘African Rapper (No.1)”- in my view, coupled with the solo tunes of Lazzy ‘Human Gyata”, Prodigal’s “DJ” had minimal impact on the music charts and radio airplays. The sign was clear that they needed to re-invent but not in this fashion. One may argue that VIP has survived such situation before. No doubt. Before VIP became such a big brand in Ghana and going on to sweep five awards (a record) at the 2004 Ghana Music Awards, the vision of their progress nearly came to a halt. Friction, who was a founding member, exited the Nima based group after dropping hits as ‘Rana Sallah’ and Obaa Sweetie’. Another member, Bone, also went away, leaving Promzy, Lazzy (now Zeal) and Prodigal to salvage the drowning VIP boat. The group’s management switched hands. Mic Smith then of Groove FM handed the management to Goodies Music who partnered with Precise Music and later Allordia Productions and in 2004; VIP released their biggest album ever ‘Ahomka Wo Mu’. Remember in 2011, they picked the top prize Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards. The success of the album cemented their credentials as a force to reckon with, opening doors to them across Africa and the UN appointing them as Peace Ambassadors for West Africa. They had been on a roll ever since. There was a brief hiatus. They released ‘Progress’ which spurned two single ‘I Think I like Am’ and ‘Away’. Then the gloss began to wear off till this recent announcement.