Entertainment
Abiriw Music Expo, a new Christmas destination – Franky 5
• Franky 5
Broadcaster and businessman, Frank Kwabena Owusu affectionately called Frank 5, has shared a new Christmas destination with Ghanaians.
According to him, it is the time of the year for revellers and family to gather and make merry, and for this reason, Frank Owusu Foundation, has decided to merge three concepts for a resounding Christmas package.
Speaking to The Spectator, he said, the concept was to fuse music with tradition and tourism through this year’s Ohum Festival at Abiriw, in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
This, he said, was aimed at using the opportunity to create a new destination for Christmas festivities targeted at patrons who would want some experience not far from Accra.
Franky 5, noted that Abiriw was blessed with beautiful culture and amazing tourist sites which needed spotlight to grow the local economy, and with this new event, he was optimistic that the dream would be achieved.
He said Abiriw which is only 30 minutes drive from Adenta barrier will host music expo featuring Joyce Blessing, Isaiah Kwadwo Ampong, Abena Serwaa Ophelia, Piesie Esther, Scott Evans, Jayana, Patience Nyarko, Prophet Joseph Atarah among others on December 28 at Abiriw Durbar Grounds at 7pm.
The event would be climaxed with Highlife Music Expo and Afro Rave concert featuring Bessa Simons, Kaakyire Kwame Appiah, Kwaisey Pee, KK Fosu, Kofi Nti,Obrafour, Fameye,Amerado,Dada Hafco, on December 30, 2022.
Franky added that the event which was a debut would be an annual one to bring together people from all walks of life to explore and enjoy authentic Ghanaian music, tourism and tradition.
By Edem Mensah-tsotorme
Gospel artiste, Obaapa Christy has officially launched her annual concert, ‘Royal Praise 2026’, set to be held in Accra and Kumasi this August.
The maiden Accra edition comes off Sunday, August 9, at the UPSA Auditorium. She will be joined on stage by gospel heavyweights Empress Gifty, Celestine Donkor, Joyce Blessing, Kweku Gyasi, Uncle Ato, and Akesse Brempong.
The Kumasi edition follows a week later on Sunday, August 16, at the Church of Pentecost, Bantama.
Patrons there can expect performances from legendary Mama Esther, Broda Sammy, Ernest Opoku, Joyce Blessing, Kwame Gyedu, and Lady Prempeh.
Speaking at the launch at Alisa Hotel on June 12, Obaapa Christy explained that the event was christened Royal Praise, “because as a child of God, I see myself as royalty, same as you. We are all royals in the house of God.”
She urged attendees to embrace the ‘royal’ theme with their dress code and said the concert was meant to stay as an annual event to honour God for His works.
According to her, the event has come to stay, and called on all and sundry to support.
Obaapa Christy thanked fans and sponsors for supporting the launch and expressed optimism for more backing ahead of the main events.
Supporting artistes on the bill who attended the launch threw their weight behind the maiden edition and called on Ghanaians to throng the venues in their numbers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Fashion enthusiasts, shoppers, and industry stakeholders gathered at the A&C Mall at East Legon on Saturday as Ghanaian fashion brand, Neesa Atelier officially opened its newest retail outlet to unveil an exclusive capsule collection inspired by West Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The launch, held as an intimate ‘Sip & Shop’ experience, marked a significant milestone for the growing fashion brand as it expanded its physical presence while showcasing its latest collection, Dust & Raffia.
The collection offers a creative exploration of the cultural links between Ghana and Mali, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion design. Guests at the event were given a first look at the limited-edition pieces, which featured a hand-spun cord, raffia, jute, and Bogolan (mudcloth) elements.
According to the Creative Director of Neesa Atelier, Pamela Sarkodee, the collection celebrates the enduring connections among African communities and highlights the beauty of indigenous craftsmanship.
“This collection celebrates the stories that connect us across borders. By bringing together Bogolan, raffia, jute, and cordwork, we wanted to create pieces that honour heritage while presenting a contemporary vision of African luxury,” she said.
Throughout the event, guests toured the new retail space, interacted with the collection, and enjoyed an exclusive shopping experience that included special in-store offers. The occasion also provided an opportunity for fashion lovers to engage with the brand’s vision of blending culture, creativity, and community.
The Dust & Raffia collection draws inspiration from the textures, symbols, and traditions that have connected Ghanaian and Malian communities over generations. Through the use of natural materials and handcrafted techniques, the collection seeks to preserve cultural narratives while presenting them through modern fashion.
The new A&C Mall outlet has been designed to provide customers with an immersive shopping experience, giving them access to Neesa Atelier’s signature collections as well as future releases within one of Accra’s leading retail and lifestyle destinations.
Industry observers say the expansion reinforces Neesa Atelier’s growing reputation within Ghana’s fashion industry as a contemporary African brand committed to celebrating identity, heritage, and craftsmanship through innovative design.
The Dust & Raffia capsule collection is currently available for pre-order, with a wider public release expected in the coming weeks.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
